With days to elections in Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio has blamed the poor performance of the country’s economy over these two years to Covid-19 and the protracted war in Ukraine.

“I can understand your pain, things are expensive but it is not only in Sierra Leone; the world is going through turbulent times and we are an integral part of the world,” Bio said.

He added that his government has done a lot to cushion the effect of inflation in the country including tax reduction on most product.

The President added that Sierra Leone is heavily reliant on exported goods including the most basic of products. He stated that goods are expensive because the country imports most things and that producing nations are also facing difficulties.

“I want Sierra Leoneans to know that we have done great and we are going through a very serious international crisis that has diminished the effect of what we have done,” Bio said.

He affirmed that the fact that the IMF is working with the government is a sign that his administration has done well with regards the economy.

He appealed to locals to vote him for another term to continue what he has started. He also referenced that his administration has also done well in education and health referencing the reduction of maternal mortality by 60 percent.

Bio is seeking a second term as Sierra Leoneans head to the polls in June this year. With economy in shambles, political analysts have forecasted that he will face a stiff competition from the main opposition APC’s Samura Kamara whom he defeated in 2018.