Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-Global)
Motto: Trust, Unity and Social Justice
Email: [email protected]
Mobile:UK – +447725982424/+447564115946
EU – +46734836874/+34676768005
US – 01732-629-951/01518-253-0069
https://www.slam-global.org.uk
August 20, 2024
PRESS STATEMENT
SLAM-GLOBAL LTD. EXTENDS GRATITUDE TO THE U.S SENATORS & MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
FOR THEIR STANCE IN ENSURING THAT DEMOCRACY PREVAILS IN SIERRA LEONE
We, members of Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement Ltd. (SLAM-Global), extend our
heartfelt gratitude to the U.S. Senators and Members of Congress who have stood in
defense of democracy by putting a hold on the issuance of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) funds to Sierra Leone until democracy is restored. This decisive
action followed our urgent appeal, and we are deeply appreciative of your steadfast
commitment to upholding democratic principles not only in Sierra Leone but across
Africa and the world at large.
DR. V. FULLAH
It is no doubt that the decision to withhold the MCC funds is a critical step towards
ensuring that democracy prevails in Sierra Leone. The actions of the current
government, under Mr Julius Maada Bio, pose a significant threat to the democratic
fabric of our nation. If left unchecked, what is unfolding in Sierra Leone could set a
dangerous precedent, undermining the rule of law and the sanctity of free and fair
elections in the Sub-Region.
In Sierra Leone, we should no longer be ruled by monarchs who declare power by mere
proclamation. The legitimacy of leadership must be derived from transparent electoral
processes, not from unsubstantiated claims of victory. The recent election results, which
have been widely contested, lack the evidence needed to validate the incumbent’s
proclaimed victory. If such actions are allowed to stand without challenge, it opens the
door for any leader to declare themselves a winner without the burden of proof, eroding
the very foundation of democracy.
We are mindful of the bitter memories and troubling history associated with Mr Julius
Maada Bio, who has been implicated in incidents of extrajudicial killings and the
harassment of opposition members. This pattern of his behavior is not new. In the
1990s, Mr Maada Bio advocated for “peace before elections,” a stance that our
compatriots, backed by the international community, wisely rejected in favour of
“elections before peace,” a choice that underscored the importance of democratic
processes.
It is evident that the executive leadership of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party has
been compromised through financial incentives and politically motivated prosecutions,
creating an environment where true opposition is stifled. This situation bears a stark
resemblance to authoritarian regimes, where dissent is quashed, and power is
consolidated at the expense of democratic governance.
The refusal of Mr Julius Maada Bio and his government to adhere to the
recommendations of the Mediated Dialogue and Agreement for National Unity,
including: “the release of political detainees/prisoners and the discontinuation
of politically motivated cases against the APC and other parties and their
supporters”, demonstrates a blatant disregard for democratic norms. What is more
worrying was the statement of Mr Maada Bio and his government, through their Chief
Minister, that they could only account for 15, out 318 Political Detainees/Prisoners
under their custody. We have little confidence therefore that the 80 recommendations
of the Tripartite Committee will be implemented, not to mention the divergent issues
that contain the core challenge surrounding the administration of “electoral justice”
and the true will of the people. Additionally, Mr Maada Bio is purported to have been
spending and lobbying heavily to sustain his illegal regime in power.
The continued governance of Sierra Leone under Mr Maada Bio’s Sierra Leone
People’s (SLPP) government beyond 2024 risks turning our nation into a de facto
autocracy, akin to the oppressive regimes we have seen in other parts of the world. If
this trajectory is not halted, we could see a complete overhaul of the military, police and
law enforcement agencies, filling these critical institutions with individuals loyal to the
SLPP’s tribal affiliations, effectively eliminating any viable opposition.
The implications of such a transformation are dire. The blatant human rights abuses
against opposition members and their supporters will significantly increase, and the
voices of the people will be further silenced. Mr Maada Bio’s history of disregarding
international norms and rules suggests that he will continue to flout democratic
principles, leading Sierra Leone down a perilous path.
In view of the above, we call on the international community to remain vigilant and to
continue supporting the people of Sierra Leone in their quest for true democracy. The
actions taken by the U.S. lawmakers are a beacon of hope, demonstrating that the world is watching, with great interest, and that the prevailing undemocratic actions in
our beloved nation will not go unchallenged.
Once again, we thank the U.S. Senators and Members of Congress for their unwavering
support. Your display of leadership in this matter sends a clear message that the values
of democracy, transparency, and justice are non-negotiable. Together, we stand with the
people of Sierra Leone in our fight for a democratic and just society.
SIGNED
Dr. Alfred A Veenod Fullah
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
Cc: Brian Forni, Vice President, Congressional and Public Affairs
The Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General
The Secretary of State, United States Department of States
Karim Ahmad Khan, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC)
Richard YOUNG, Chief de Division, Afrique de l’Ouest
Ms. Ursula Von Der Lyen, European Commissioner
The United Nations Representative in Sierra Leone
The Chief Executive Officer, Carter Center
Justice Keith Sullivan
H. E. Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria & Chairman of ECOWAS
H. E. Oumar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission
Madam Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, former VP of The Gambia
Nana Akufo Addo, President of Ghana
H. E. Bassiru Faye, President of Senegal
H. E. Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea
H. E. Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia
David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Dev Affairs, UK
Ms. Ursula Von Der Lyen, European Commissioner
The Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell, UK
Lynn Brown, UK
Neil Alan John Coyle, MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark, UK
Ambassador Aly Diallo, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to the UK&I
H. E. Cyprian Terseer Heen, Acting Ambassador of the Nigeria High Comm. in the UK&I
British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone
Head of the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-Global)
Motto: Trust, Unity and Social Justice
Email: [email protected]
Mobile:UK – +447725982424/+447564115946
EU – +46734836874/+34676768005
US – 01732-629-951/01518-253-0069
https://www.slam-global.org.uk
General Consul of Canada in Sierra Leone
Ambassador of China to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Germany to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Lebanon to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Iran to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Brazil to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Sweden to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Iran to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Libya to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Egypt to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Guinea to Sierra Leone
Ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone
High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Sierra Leone
High Commissioner of Ghana to Sierra Leone
General Consul of Italy in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul-General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul-General of Ireland in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul-General of India to Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Senegal to Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Syria in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Turkey in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Mali in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Romania in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Norway in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Hungary in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of France in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Belgium in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Spain in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Serbia in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Austria in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Denmark in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Russia in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Pakistan to Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Sierra Leone
Honorary Consul of South Africa in Sierra Leon
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