Information Minister Reacts to US Ambassador's Radio Democracy 98.1 Interview

Information Minister Reacts to US Ambassador’s Radio Democracy 98.1 Interview

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah has reacted to statements made by US Ambassador David Reimer about the June 2023 Multitier election.

“We have a partnership with the US Government that understands the need to strengthen our own democratic institutions and not to undermine them,” Minister Bah said.

His statement came hours after Radio Democracy’s leaked interview with Ambassador Reimer. In the interview, Reimer affirmed that the US is confirmed about the state of democracy in Sierra Leone especially the outcome of the June elections.

The United States is concerned about irregularities in the results that were announced by the ECSL that includes a big difference between the ECSL announced results and the parallel vote tabulation, as well as inconsistencies that were analysed by domestic and international observers,” he said.

He added that the US has refused to congratulate President Julius Maada Bio who was declared winner based due to disagreement over results in the June polls. He said the US will review all government programmes going forward but clarified that they will be focusing on the people.

“We will continue to be for the people no matter what happened,” Reimer said.

The 2023 election results is said to be one of the most controversial elections in recent times with main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) failing to accept the results. The party said the election was rigged in favour of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and urged the country’s Electoral Commission to release results by polling stations.

The ECSL said the results released were in tandem with the Public Elections Act of 2022.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

Momoh Adikalie Kamara | 2023-08-18 00:47:55

Yes my brother Melvin is right,the article lacks clarity which is one of the 7cs of communication so please provide more details so we have a better understanding
| 2023-08-17 21:01:21

The earlier you realize that this is not a friend of 🇸🇱 the better.
King Kunta | 2023-08-17 17:55:56

Make we biya Bio nor win Biggest rigged election ever in Africa n the world at large
Joseph Bio | 2023-08-17 16:28:30

Only soba minded people can understand what the US Embasador is trying to say Base on the development of democracy in our country and the betterness of our nation.... Thank you so much for your accuracy Mr David Reimer.
Bockarie Musa Jalloh | 2023-08-17 15:35:34

Who did the USA government/people think they’re? They have no right to interfere with our democratic processes, we as a country have our own democratic system. If they’ve any relation with the main opposition (APC) party let them do, but we Sierra Leoneans will never allow the US government to interfere with our democratic processes.
Abdulai Barrie | 2023-08-17 13:34:07

What can you say about your passed election when Triumph refuse to accept the result.
Ibrahim S Kargbo | 2023-08-17 13:14:18

The ambassador has said it all if Bio is a wish man its only now that he has the chance to do the needful. A lot of people are suffering because of your too much power consciousness.
Desmond | 2023-08-17 13:09:54

The opinion of the Ambassador of the US government is undermining the professionalism of sierra leone and the government and the electoral commission due to the interview conducted with him. However, the results of the election were pronounced based on the constitutional mandate of the country. Additionally, there were a lot of domestic and international observers to witness the conduct of the elections and they took records of the process.
| 2023-08-17 13:01:01

The last election USA conducted was not fair and Trump didn't accept the result but we didn't inter fair in to their democracy and we also expect them to do the same. No need for them to review on going government programmes, let them back off. Whether they congratulate him or not he's our president for the next five years. If they think their own election was credible Trump should have congratulated Biden instead he rejected the winning of Biden and that even led to the vandalisation of the white house in Washington DC. If he has ties with Samura let him knows that the election doors has been closed.
| 2023-08-17 12:02:55

My question here is why did they close 98.1 yesterday, the whole world know that Bio's administration is illegitimate the ambassador just went there to clarify.
A Sanusie | 2023-08-17 11:42:24

Yusuf, interesting choice of word. If the USA where you'll probably jump through all kinds of hops to live in, instead of your own country is a scam, what do you you call this Bio government that did not win the votes they claimed to win? Bio was not elected president, since you know about scams, you get that his government is one right? SLPP did not win 60% of the seats in parliament as they claim, so you get that current parliament is a scam right? The vote of the people was stolen, you get that that is a scam right? Bio taking millions in cash for regular travel with most of it going in his pocket, you see the scam there right? Please put country first.
M.K. | 2023-08-17 11:10:19

We, as Sierra Leoneans cannot validate not attempt to validate USA elections because we know it is their domestic affairs and it is for them to handle. But this is quite different with USA with regards S/L's elections. They present themselves to be the referees, and to be morally better than us hiding under the cover of representing the people. I think we the Sierra Leoneans need no representation from outside. We are more than capable of representing ourselves. So let the USA ambassador don't speak as if he is representing the people but rather representing the notions of a few set of politicians who that have plans and feasible programs for the country
Conteh Mohammed | 2023-08-17 11:08:58

Bio is an autocrat hiding in the clothing of democracy, it's good the international community is beginning to understand that...na dem get for end up na bush back!!!
Melvin F kargbo | 2023-08-17 10:58:04

This writer does not. emphasize or give details on what reaction was made by the information minister as the head lines implies.What did he reacted to was not made public here . The article does not make any sense.
Philip | 2023-08-17 10:57:25

letp
Yusuf | 2023-08-17 10:43:30

Funny people USA is northing but a scam