Information Minister Chernor Bah has said that Sierra Leone is not interested in following Burkina Faso’s current political system, calling it a “package” that includes military dictatorship and other actions Sierra Leone does not support.

In an interview, Bah said the “package” starts with a military government, jailing opposition figures, banning political parties, and breaking international agreements. He pointed to the events of November 26 as a sign that most Sierra Leoneans don’t want such a path.

He added that while Sierra Leone can learn from some things Burkina Faso is doing, such as taking control of its natural resources, the country would do it in a peaceful and legal way.

Bah said President Bio has already created a National Mineral Wealth Fund, which is the first of its kind in Sierra Leone. He explained that the laws and plans are already in place and it will take only a few years for Sierra Leone to benefit from it.

Bah made it clear Sierra Leone does not plan to shut down the country or hurt people who don’t agree with the government. “We can’t just wake up one morning and become Burkina Faso,” he said. “And we don’t want to.”