The Ministry of Local Government in a press release voided the reaffirmation agreement signed by Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr in the United States between the city of New Heaven, Connecticut, United States, and Freetown.

The ministry said in the release that they were overwhelmed by calls from citizens over the said agreement and wish to caution the agreement between he Mayor of New Heaven, Connecticut, United States of America and Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, former Mayor, now Mayor-Elect of Freetown City Council of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

They also said that Sierra Leone is a sovereign state and according to the Local Government Act of 2022, it is impossible that the Mayor-Elect of the Freetown City Council will enter into an agreement on behalf of the Freetown City Council and by extension the Government of Sierra Leone when she did not present herself to subscribe to the oath of Office during the inauguration of the Western Region Councils on the 17 of August 2023.

In this regard, therefore, the Ministry stated 4 positions for the Sierra Leone Ambassador to the United States of America, the Mayor of New Heavens, Connecticut United States of America and the United States of America Ambasssador to Sierra Leone;

  1. That the said agreement between the Mayor of Connecticut and the former Mayor, now Mayor-Elect of Freetown City Council is null and void.
  2. That Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr is not properly seated to enter into any agreement for and on behalf of the Freetown City Council
  3. That the Sierra Leone Ambassador to the United States contact the Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut on the position of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs
  4. That this act of fraudulence will be investigated to bring out details of the source of funding for this illegal engagement.     

At the end, they warn the public not to take the agreement signed by the Mayor-Elect seriously.