The United States Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa and the Sahel, Michael Heath has assured the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh of their support for ECOWAS in preserving constitutional order in Niger. 

He made this disclosure during his visit which is his very first to Sierra Leone. In the engagement with Vice President Jalloh, he maintained that, it is important for an inclusive national dialogue to rebuild confidence in Sierra Leone’s democracy.

“MCC Compact can only move forward if there are meaningful democratic and electoral reforms,” he stated.

He added that, Stability in the Sahel depends on the restoration of credible, democratic governance across the region, adding that, it is good meeting with Sierra Leone’s press corps to stress the importance of free and professional media in a democracy and that free speech, freedom of the press, and right to peaceful assembly are key to democracy in the country.

He expressed commitment to private-sector led, broad-based economic growth in meeting with the Finance Minister Sheku Fantamadi Bangura and that a sustained economic reforms will help attract increased foreign direct investment to improve the lives of all citizens in the country.

The US Deputy Assistant Director also welcomed a close partnership with Sierra Leone on the UN Security Council in his meeting with the Acting Foreign Minister.

Heath stressed the importance of constructive opposition participation in national dialogue and national institutions in his meeting with Samura Kamara, the leader for the All People’s Congress (APC) Party.