In a recent interview with Aljazeera, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio strongly refuted claims of violence occurring at the All People’s Congress (APC) headquarters in Freetown on election day, directly contradicting the EU election report.

This denial has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the credibility of his statements and the overall truth in Sierra Leone’s political landscape.

According to Nightwatch Newspaper, President Bio insisted that there were no gunshots fired at the APC headquarters during the disputed June elections and assured that there was no risk of Sierra Leone returning to conflict, despite the contested election results. This contradicts accounts from Aljazeera, local media, and international community members who documented the violent incident, leading to the death of a long-serving staff member.

Prominent journalists and public figures, including the re-elected Mayor of Freetown, Aki Sawyerr, shared their experiences of dodging bullets while reporting on the situation that day, casting further doubt on President Bio’s denial and challenging the authenticity of his claims.

President Bio’s denial has raised questions about his commitment to the ongoing dialogue to resolve the electoral impasse from the June 24 elections. Critics argue that his credibility is in question due to his adamant denial, and they express concerns about his willingness to act in the best interest of the nation.

This denial not only calls into question his handling of the situation but also raises doubts about Sierra Leone’s electoral processes dating back to 2018 and 2023. Many worry that his actions may be undermining the nation’s progress toward stability and democracy.

As this controversy unfolds, the truth and trustworthiness of statements from Sierra Leone’s leader are seriously challenged, and it remains to be seen how this denial will impact the ongoing dialogue process and the nation’s political stability in the future.