Sierra Leoneans both home and abroad have endorsed the US Ambassador, David Reimer’s statement for an outside investigation committee to look into Sierra Leone’s 24 June elections. ‘We have called on outside investigation team, any commission headed by any of the political candidates in the elections cannot be independent or non-biased,’ Reimer said.
According to US Ambassador, David Reimer, the United States would not like to see the Vice President heading the investigation committee out fear of prejudicing the investigation process.
The US Ambassador also said he has great respect for the Vice President and he did not caution his integrity but politicians should stay out of the investigations committee for the outcome to be successful and transparent.
Reimer pointed out that the US position on the June 24 elections stands, unless until the government institutes a committee to investigate the elections irregularities.
Listening to Ambassador David Reimer’s statement, Sierra Leoneans lauded the eloquence and stance of the United State, adding that they endorse the getting of a committee outside the country.
In Freetown, many appreciated the US Ambassador, stated that the people of Sierra Leone have been robbed of victory and that the US should not only urge the Paopa government but should also provide strong involvement in the formation of the committee for the truth to be revealed.
‘Government has stolen our victory, our happiness. Our hopes are still on the balance. We need help from foreign powers to address the June 24 elections,’ he said.
Citizens disclosed that, if these stolen elections go unattended the likelihood of killing the country’s democracy is great; adding that the only way to ensure sanity during the investigation is to ask the President to step aside for them to continue with the investigations.
What is more disturbing, Sierra Leoneans stated is that, Sierra Leone and Sierra Leoneans are currently under siege because, no one has the mind to speak the truth.
‘Civil society who are supposed to the peoples moral guarantors are now dancing under the incumbent regime, pastors, imams and Paramount Chiefs are no longer doing due diligence due to palm greasing,’ he said.
They said the country’s masses have been left unattended and protected and the only option people rely on to protect their democracy is the international committee.
Sierra Leoneans especially the opposition APC have asked the US government to institute stiff sanctions against who they described as illegal regime officials. The APC say democracy is under threat and the use of the state security against the people is on the rise.
Many Sierra Leoneans viewed the statement of the US Ambassador as one to restore the stolen democracy by the current dispensation. They however urged the world powers to heavily participate in the elections investigations committee for a smooth outcome.