On Friday evening, the US government through its Freetown Embassy, announced that they have signed a 480 million US Dollars compact with the Sierra Leone government to transform energy in the West African nation.

The aid, which also includes a 14.2 million contribution from the Sierra Leone government, is said to be geared towards a sustainable development growth and improving the quality of life for the Sierra Leonean population.

Sierra Leone won the grant due to its efforts in controlling corruption, upholding democractic rights, rule of law and civil liberties among others. Despite these, the country was sent into political frenzy last year when its Electoral Commission announced the incumbent Julius Maada Bio as winner in their presidential election. The main opposition, All People’s Congress (APC) contested the result claiming that it was rigged in favour of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

The APC refused to participate in governance for months with almost all of their elected parliamentarians boycotting sittings.

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The situation saw Sierra Leone’s envied democracy sent into the doldrums thereby prompting diplomats and the international community to act to prevent further damage.

The US government together with other foreign agencies set a committee consisting of both political parties to look into the disagreement between the two parties. After six months, the committee submitted its final report in July this year. During the presentation of the report, Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio said, “The completion of this process is a significant milestone in our journey toward ensuring cedible, transparent and inclusive electoral processes in Sierra Leone.”

The US government reechoed the importance of this document in a press release announcing the provision of the funds on Friday, September 28.

It said, “Sierra Leone’s eligibility for the compact remains dependent on the country’s sustained commitment to advancing democracy, combating corruption, and investing in its people.

“Sierra Leone will need to continue to meet eligibility benchmarks in these areas throuhout the life of the compact including the full and expeditious implementation of both the Agreement for National Unity and the joint recommendations of the Tripartite Committee.”

Some political analysts, since the press release was put out, suggested that the Sierra Leonean government would have adhere to the Tripartite Committe’s joint recommendations which include electoral reforms, upholding of the rule of law and justice among others for the sustainability of the grant in the coming years.