The unacceptability of June 24, 2023 elections by EU and other members of the international community has spelt another disaster for Sierra Leone. A source has intimated this press that the EU intends to impose sanctions on Sierra Leone to restore democracy which has been derailed by election rigging.
The sanctions will include a general travel ban on ministers, withdrawal of diplomatic recognition of Sierra Leone’s ambassadors in all EU countries including her Parliamentary representatives to the EU/OECD Assembly, government officials and some
key members of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP). The sanctions will also accordingly include asset freeze and personal accounts of all those to be affected by the sanction.
The affected persons whose names and official positions yet to be made public, are alleged to have played roles in stealing the people’s mandate. The source maintains that “the conduct of a fraudulent that falls short of democratic tenets and international best practices is the cause of the imminent sanctions.”
Just last week, the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken announced in a press statement that “a new restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for undermining the democratic process in the June 2023 Sierra Leone election.”
He went on to state that “under this policy, the United States will pursue visa restrictions for those believed to be responsible for or complicit in, undermining democracy in Sierra Leone, including through the manipulation or rigging of the electoral process; intimidation of voters, election observers, or civil society organizations through threats or acts of physical violence, or the abuse or violation of related human rights in Sierra Leone.” This visa restriction policy, according to the US Secretary of State, “will apply to specific individuals and is not directed at the Sierra Leonean people.”
The situation, according to the source, is turning for the worst by ECSL (Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone)’s refusal to publish the election results by polling stations and districts.
ECSL boss, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh says he is not subject to anyone’s control or direction as he does whatever pleases him.
It is however hoped that Konneh’s cooperation would help verify and determine the veracity of the 56.17% first-round election victory accorded to President Julius Maada Bio.
Sierra Leone, at present, is trapped in a quagmire as the main opposition, All Peoples Congress (APC) refuses to participate in state governance owing to allegations of rigging.
They have always alleged that was election was stolen as it did not reflect the will of Sierra Leoneans. Consequently, APC’s elected parliamentarians, mayors, chairpersons and councillors have staged a boycott.
A Political Observer and analyst holds the view that any EU sanction on Sierra Leone would have far-reaching ramifications, pointing out that Sierra Leoneans already bear the brunt of a ravaged economy characterised by a sharp rise in prices of basic goods and services.
“As if that is not enough, we have had a sudden rise in the price of fuel whose concomitant effects are glaring on food and transportation costs on ordinary people. If the EU, like the United States, slams sanctions on Sierra Leone, the country would become more fragile and that could have unprecedented consequences,” the Political Observer noted.
It is not known whether the Government of Sierra Leone has been hinted on the imminent sanctions, but it is believed that a proposed mediation talks if not botched, will go a long way in ameliorating what could be devastating.