How US Pressured Me To Interfere In Election – Sierra Leone President Speaks

How US Pressured Me To Interfere In Election – Sierra Leone President Speaks

Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, voiced accusations against the United States on Friday, claiming that they pressured him to intervene in the country’s June 24 election results announcement. This statement sharply contrasts with Washington’s expressed concerns regarding the fairness of the poll.

Speaking at an event at American University in Washington, President Bio stated, “When the elections were at the height — of calling the results — this is when the problems started.”

Read Also Obasanjo Met Tinubu At Alake’s Birthday, Promised To Work For Him If Offered A Job? – Fact Emerge

He went on to recount how the Election Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) had completed their processes and calculations, but he was urged by the United States to halt them from announcing the results. He expressed his confusion over the accusations of interference.

Regarding the ECSL, Bio emphasized, “They are an independent, semiautonomous body.” He further noted that he refused to make such a call, emphasizing that he had never intervened in their affairs before and would not do so now.

Bio, 59, secured re-election in a contentious vote criticized by both the opposition and international observers. Delegations from the United States, European Union, France, Ireland, and Germany jointly expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the tabulation process following the election.

Before the poll, some believed that the country’s high inflation and challenging economic situation might provide an opportunity for the opposition. However, Bio won with 56.17 percent of the vote, just above the 55 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff.

On August 31, the State Department announced visa restrictions on individuals “believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Sierra Leone,” including through vote rigging or intimidation of election observers.

Bio, speaking at his alma mater where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, emphasized that elections are always contentious and that even in the United States, doubts can be cast on their credibility.

He expressed his concern that when “the United States casts doubt on the credibility (of the election), you are calling for a coup.” He also claimed that U.S. representatives had informed them that they simply wanted a second round in any case, as he believed the polls indicated his victory.

Sierra Leone’s Information Minister, Chernor Bah, stated that he cannot speak to the U.S. motivation behind the alleged request for Bio’s intervention in the ECSL’s announcement.

Bio concluded by expressing that Freetown still maintains a “great relationship” with Washington and looks forward to its continuation.