Home Blog Page 970

Chief Justice Swears-in Bar Association President & 9 others as Notaries Public

By Elkass Sannoh

The President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), Madam Eddinia Michaela Swallow Esq, Vice President of the Bar Association Mr. Abdul Karim Kamara Esq. and others were on the 11th January, 2021 sworn in as Notaries Public by His Lordship Chief Justice Babatunde Edwards at the Law Courts building, Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown.

The swearing ceremony was graced by the erudite Attorney General and the Minister of Justice, Anthony Y. Brewah, Deputy Minister of Justice Umaru N. Koroma and the newly elected International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Justice Miatta Samba J. A, and many other dignitaries.

In addressing the newly sworn Notaries Public the Chief Justice said: “to be appointed to this height is an honor and achievement and much is required of you”. He also explained the role of a Notary Public: “specifically you will be required to do authentication, certification, attestation of signatures on instruments or authorities with respect to documents abroad”.

The Chief Justice said Notary Public should be given to people with high integrity. Therefore they are expected to be persons of such uprightness. He stated the appointment of the Notaries Public would reduce fraud as they would not append certification signature on any documents that they consider to be fake.

“I have no doubt that the people who I have appointed today are of high integrity and I expect much from you. Go and make the country proud,” said the Chief Justice.

In giving the vote of thanks on behalf of his colleague recipients and members of the Bar, Abdul Karim Kamara Esq. expressed appreciation and considered it as an honor to them.

“There are so many colleagues out there who have been looking forward to this opportunity, but it took wisdom. You were so methodical in your selection that amongst all other lawyers in the country you decided to choose us, for this we are deeply honored,” Kamara said.

Commenting on the appointment after the swearing-in ceremony, the Bar Association President, Eddinia Michaela Swallow Esq said: “Today, I joined my colleagues who have distinguished themselves in our profession. I am grateful to the Lord Chief Justice for the opportunity to serve as a Notary Public. For me, it is about public service and will endeavour to serve with honesty and integrity.”

2019 Audit Report Exposes Serious Flaws in Parliament

By Amin Kef Sesay

The 2019 Audit Report uncovers egregious flaws in the handling of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) by MPs, amounting to 22 billion Leones.

Schedules to the financial statements for Constituency Development Funds examined by the auditors revealed that Le10.1 billion and Le12.2 billion were paid to Members of Parliament including Paramount Chief Members of Parliament (PCMPs) for 2018 and 2019 respectively, but same could not be properly accounted for.

According to the auditors, the Le10.1 billion paid to MPs in 2018 was meant for the construction or renting of a Constituency Office in all the 132 constituencies, but these monies could not be accounted for during the audit verification exercise.

The auditors discovered that, during the period under review, Paramount Chief Members of Parliament, who are without constituencies received nearly 1 billion Leones from the CDF portfolio, but same could not be accounted for.

The official response by the Clerk of Parliament of Sierra Leone  indicates that the CDF is disbursed to the accounts of sitting MPs, “whether or not they have a constituency”.  The Clerk also says that there is no “clear definition” of who is qualified to benefit from the CDF.

The Auditor General concludes that since the CDF could not be properly accounted for, the issue remains “unresolved”. Read the excerpt below.

“Our examination of the schedules to the financial statements for Constituency Development Funds (CDF) revealed that a total of Le10,100,000,000 and Le12,220,672,500 were paid to 146 Members of Parliament (MPs) for 2018 and 2019 respectively; but were not retired.

“The payments made during 2018 were expected to be used for either the construction or renting of a constituency office in all the 132 constituencies nationwide.

“These payments include Le968,493,150 made to 14 paramount chiefs without constituencies in 2018 and the same in 2019.”

Official’s Response

The Clerk of Parliament said “the issue of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) is limited to the Finance Department of Parliament, disbursing same to the respective accounts of beneficiaries (in this case sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), whether or not they have a constituency); hence, the reason for the inclusion of Paramount Chief MPs in the schedule of payments. Please be informed also that, in every year’s budget process, funds provided for this activity are meant for sitting MPs, without clear definition of who is qualified for same.”

Sierra Leone Parliament to account for Twenty-Two Billion Leones

Residents of Kailahun District Highlight areas of Priority to Government Representatives

By Mustapha Sheriff

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendation on Section 248 says that for many years, successive Governments have failed to meet the basic needs of most Sierra Leoneans, particularly those outside of Freetown.  The present Government and future Governments must be seen to be establishing infrastructure and delivering health, education, justice and security services in all Provinces.

Even before the start of the civil war, public service delivery had ground to a halt in much of the country.  The war devastated public infrastructure and almost totally emasculated Government’s ability to deliver services to the people.  Most Sierra Leoneans do not have access to clean water or consistent power supply.

Stakeholders in Kailahun District have agreed to prioritize Roads, Health and Electricity as the felt-needs for residents of the district. The prioritization came about as the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development embarks on a Citizens’ Centred Approach ahead of the implementation of the Medium Term National Development Plan.

The Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Dr. Francis Kai-Kai informed stakeholders at the Kailahun District Council Hall and disclosed that before the Government’s full implementation of the Medium Term National Development Plan, they deemed it necessary to engage the people at the centre in providing strategic direction and systematically track outputs of every developmental initiatives and transformation.

Kailahun District stakeholders representing every sector in development unanimously agreed to prioritize, Roads, Health and Energy as the key sectors of attention the New Direction Government should consider during the implementation period.

Dr. Kai-Kai said that Government’s desire is to put the citizens at the centre for every development process within the country. He said that it is the responsibility of every stakeholder including Government, Local Council, Development Partners, among others to implement the MTNDP in the district.

Minister Kai-Kai noted that for every district development structure to be effectively, there needs to be a holistic coordination and monitoring throughout the implementation of plans.

The Deputy Minister of Planning, Dr. Robert Chakanda, delivering an overview of the process said that the journey to prepare the plan started over a year ago with wide consultations across the 16 districts nationwide. He said that the plan drew a lot of direction from the New Direction Agenda of President Bio’s Government, which he reemphasized is people-centred.

Presenting the District Priorities, PC Mohamed Sama Kailondo Banya IV said that the people of Kailahun were clear on their views with the development priorities and that Government should consider it as the key developmental aspirations of the Kailahun citizens. He said that the people will continue to support Government in delivering on its development aspirations, throughout the proposed implementation period.

Kailahun District Council Chairman, Sahr A.K. Lamin, underscored the importance of the engagement in the district. He said that such process demonstrated Government’s seriousness about its development aspirations and commitment to leaving no one behind in the actualization of the New Direction Agenda.

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, re-echoed the Government’s continued commitment to providing Free and Quality Education for all. He called on the stakeholders in the district to join Government in eliminating makeshift schools in the district, commit to tackling exams malpractice and ending teenage pregnancy, especially against under aged pupils.

In her statement, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, applauded what she described as the district’s resilience in the COVID-19 fight. She reaffirmed President Bio’s commitment in improving the Information and Communications infrastructure in the country, noting the recent repeal of the 1965 Criminal Libel Law, which she maintained had eluded past governments.  Madam Gobeh Kamara said that the Government is going to commence the 2ndphase of the fibre optic cable connection worth over 30 million dollars and that Kailahun would be one of the districts to benefit from it.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Melrose Kargbo called on every stakeholder in Kailahun to support the plan, adding that the authorities should take ownership of the plan to ensure effective service delivery. She said that the recent increase in the incentives and salaries for Mayors/Chairmen and Councillors and now Paramount Chiefs across the country was a manifestation of Government’s continued commitment to Human Capital Development.

Section 253 says that, “The Commission recognises that this exercise is an enormous undertaking and makes no particular recommendations as to how it should happen.  That expertise rests with those involved in the programme.’’  The Commission recommends that the Government consider certain core principles when building local Government and reviving institutions such as District Councils.

This article is produced with support from MRCG through the ATJLF project on: “Engaging the media to change the narrative on Transitional Justice (TJ) issues in Sierra Leone”.

ACC Boss Dilates on Interventions into Audit Reports

By Mary Kabay

During a Press Conference convened by the Anti-Corruption Commission on the 12th January 2021 which was held  its Conference Room on Gloucester Street, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala updated members of the media on the Auditor General’s Report 2019 as well as the COVID-19  Audit report.

Prior to giving the update, the Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie, stated that the rationale behind convening the Press Conference is to highlight the issues the Commission dealt with in 2020 and what  would be the Commission’s next step in 2021 with regards the Auditor General’s Report 2019 and the COVID-19 Audit report.

Francis Ben Kaifala Esq, the Commissioner of Anti-Corruption Commission in delivering his update stated that the Auditor General released the Audit Report late last year after which the ACC took two positions which were to properly digest the Report and plan themselves well in order to engage their partners which includes Audit Service Sierra Leone and Parliament as well as to how to move forward with engaging with the 2019 Audit.

He said, however, they decided to move faster with the 2020 COVID-19 Audit especially as they have learnt lessons from the Ebola outbreak particularly with issues relating to financial management and procedural arrangements that went with it which they felt was going to permeate down into the management of the COVID pandemic.

He said they prioritized working on the 2020 COVID audit and leave the 2019 Audit to be looked into by another ACC team, made up of lawyers and persons who are good at gathering intelligence, in order to bring out issues that the Commission will deal with either through investigation or prevention measures.

The Commissioner stated that the first two issues they acted on were the laptops and the generator. He commended the Audit-Sierra Leone for the great work they have been doing in terms of providing intelligence which the ACC is working on.

He said as far as they are aware the Audit captured that it was a 65 kva generator that was seen and not a 50kva generator generating suspicion that the latter was missing.  He said they acted on that saying their findings were the same with Audit-Sierra Leone stressing that the Certificate relating to the generator that was provided to the auditors proved that it was a 50kva generator that was donated by the Chinese Government. The ACC boss said they thoroughly investigated the issue and after looking at it in the totality they were clear that it was indeed the 50kva generator that the Chinese donated which is the same that was discovered at Zimmi. He said there must have been a discrepancy in the recording on the certificate.

Dilating on the 47 computers, the ACC Commissioner said they decided not to waste time but to bring all those involved with the computers.

He said they were asked to produce the computers which they did furthering that their findings were that the laptops were not according to the right specifications. The Commissioner concluded that they went beyond that and picked up that some were of better capacity. Francis Kaifala noted that during the procurement phase something went wrong but underscored that the laptops were indeed delivered. He said the laptops were not missing but the Commission took the position that they were going to pay for them which they did and they were able to  recover Le250M.

He thanked the Audit Service Sierra Leone for the work they are doing adding that there are other issues that the Commission is investigating one of which is the SUVs. The Commissioner said at no time did he say the SUVs were all brand new or some were old stressing that such will have to be determined as the investigation continues.

The Commissioner said they have not started acting on the 2019 Audit Report saying they are having a conversation with Parliament as to what to do with it as professionals.

Ben Kaifala outlined the names of public institutions that have to refund public funds into the Consolidated Revenue Fund as raised in the 2019 Auditor General’s Report.

He ended by saying, “We are coming strong. We are not going to take excuses. People are going to pay .People are going to prison. We are going to go after their properties. We are going to hit where it hurts them most. It is not a threat, it’s a promise.”

White Paper Recommendations to be Fully Implemented

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As the compliance with the Government’s White Paper recommendations by Persons of Interest elapsed on the 24th December, 2020, the Principal Adviser in the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lahai Farmah has on Tuesday 12th January 2021 during a Press Conference, held at the Ministry of Information and Communications, Youyi Building in Freetown informed that the next step is going to be a full blown implementation of all those recommendations.

He highlighted that the 24th December, 2020 was the grace period for Persons of Interest to adhere to the recommendations of the Government White Paper which is mainly the refunding of monies said to have been stolen from the State into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The Principal Adviser added that they have three main stages in the implementation process of those recommendations of which he said one of them is that which has to do with orders to confiscate, revoke or for persons to loss their assets according to the investigation and recommendations they got from the three Commissions of Inquires.

Lahai Farmah further revealed that they have exhausted 20 of those orders which they have taken to court in the way of summons of which 15 rulings have been given and they are putting those rulings in form of orders also to be signed by the Master and Registrar.

He noted that the second stage is recovering of those funds from Persons of Interest who were investigated for alleged misappropriation and they were asked to refund monies to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, adding that the White Paper named 136 Persons of Interest those whose orders were granted against.

“The law says that if one has to pay Government out of a Commission of Inquiry order if one refuses to pay we will have to write officially for the money in one’s bank account to be turned over into the Recovery Account established by Government and that could be another method we will apply,” Lahai Farmah underscored.

He further disclosed that the bank accounts of persons of interest were frozen and that if they cannot pay the monies back to Government the other stage will be for them in the Attorney General’s Office to write to the different banks to transfer monies from their accounts to the Consolidated Revenue Fund as per the laws of the land.

Lahai Farmah pointed out that currently they have received 85 appeals from persons of interest and they will commence hearing those appeals as soon as possible.

The Principal Adviser said if a Person of Interest loses an appeal he or she will have to pay the Principal amount, interest and litigation cost.

He encouraged persons of interest to comply with those recommendations in refunding those monies to Government as the stipulated deadline as elapses.

Mary Scott Charity Foundation Donates Learning Materials to  St. Philips Primary School

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their support to complement the Government’s Free Quality Education initiative in the country, the Mary Scott Charity Foundation that supports less privileged children has on Friday 8th January, 2021 donated learning materials, which include school bags, books, pens, pencils etc, worth millions of Leones to the St. Philips Primary School on Patton Street in Freetown. The donation took place within the school compound. After the items were donated to the school, the authorities of the school then offered them to the children who were the ultimate beneficiaries.

Handing over the donation, the Founder/President of the Mary Scott Charity Foundation, Mary Scott, disclosed that she is an ex-pupil of St. Philips Primary School years back, adding that as an ex-pupil she thought it incumbent on her to undertake such a donation, doing so with the strong conviction that such will touch or positively impact lives especially at this decisive moment when COVID-19 has created economic dislocations.

She added that the donation of the school items to these children is a fulfillment of the vision of the organization even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world.

She inspired the beneficiaries to take their studies serious underscoring how education is the key to success.  “Education is a process of learning that one goes through in order to become somebody in society,” she told them.

Mary Scott implored them to make good use of the items the organization has offered in order to achieve their dreams and become great people in society who will in return give back to society as she is currently doing.

She further admonished them to adhere to all the precautionary measures that the Government and its partners have put in place in order not to contract the corona virus also underscoring that it is only when strict adherence is maintained that all could stay safe.

Receiving the donated items, a teacher of the school expressed appreciation to the Mary Scott Charity Foundation for the gesture which she described as not only important but very timely i.

She admonished beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity of attending school saying many other children want such an opportunity further reiterating that with education they will achieve their dreams and become great people in society.

One of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Umaru Barrie a Class 5 pupil extended gratitude to the Mary Scott Charity Foundation for the kind gesture which he graciously said was not only important but very timely in the midst of COVID-19 in the country. He maintained that with this kind of gesture such will ease the constraints which there are facing to purchase school or learning materials for them.

EU Place Culture at the heart of its Dialogue with Africa

By Amin Kef Sesay

In 2021, we want to give fresh impetus to the partnership between the European Union and Africa. However, this partnership should not be limited to economic and political issues – culture and cultural exchanges should become a key part of it.

Culture is so present in our lives that it often becomes invisible. Whether in the form of music, dance, cinema, television, plastic arts, literature, theatre or gastronomy, culture feeds our imaginations and punctuates our daily lives.

It is also at the heart of our identity. By forging a common aesthetic, common references and narratives, together living culture and our cultural heritage – material and immaterial – define our place in, and our relationship with, the world.

Culture as an important economic resource

Culture is, in short, an important economic resource. Design, cinema and the creative industries are all sectors that generate employment and income. Archaeological heritage and museums attract tourism, which in turn encourages growth in other areas of activity, such as local production of artisan souvenirs, the hospitality industry and the tour guide sector…

Supporting the cultural sector has become all the more necessary now that these industries have been badly hit by the COVID-19 crisis, both in Africa and in Europe.

What’s more, a distinctive feature of cultures is that they themselves are enriched by mixing with other cultures. In this respect, the contribution made by Africa and its diaspora to global culture is considerable. Without the legacy of African and Afro-descendant music, there would be no pop, no RnB, no jazz, no blues, no rock, no funk, no disco, no salsa, no reggae and no rap. Similar observations could be made with respect to the whole spectrum of the arts.

In addition to these benefits it brings, I also share the belief that culture should be an integral part of the response to foreign policy challenges, whether they are health crises, conflicts or threats related to climate change.

Culture as a response to foreign policy challenges

It is precisely because it touches people’s hearts, resonating with what is most unique in each of us and at the same time common to humankind, that culture can help to find solutions where traditional policy tools fall short. Culture allows us to convey certain values – such as respect for human rights and the rule of law – to trigger reflexes of humanity, solidarity and assistance to others, and to encourage protection of those in danger.

Protecting cultural heritage can also contribute to (re)establishing what it is to be ‘a citizen’ and ‘a nation’. To cite just a few examples, the European Union is working with UNESCO in Mali to safeguard the mausolea and manuscripts of the Mali Empire that are under threat from jihadists. In Niger and Burkina Faso – because strengthening education and respect for other cultures is an essential part of the response to terrorism – the EU is supporting numerous projects that aim to strengthen civic values and solidarity by involving young people from the two countries in artistic co-productions.  The European Union is also fighting the trafficking in works of art perpetrated by international terrorist organisations which finance their attacks by plundering museums and archaeological sites, thus depriving populations of their collective memory and their cultural treasures.

The Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (Fespaco) is another example of European support being provided to cultural industries in Africa. Over the last 50 years, Fespaco has established itself as one of the main events for showcasing African cinema on the world stage. Through its support for the Ethical Fashion Initiative, the EU also helps to train and equip over 10 000 artisans who then supply large international fashion houses using their own traditional designs as a basis for their work. Other programmes involve a wide range of actions, such as providing support for production and distribution, organising training, ensuring access to microcredit and promoting cultural entrepreneurship.

The Youth Hub and the MAISHA project

On a smaller scale, the Youth Hub, which was set up by the African Union and the European Union, has in recent years allowed young people from the two continents to meet and to formulate concrete proposals for strengthening the partnership between Europe and Africa. In the same vein, a unique European and African music co-creation – the MAISHA project – was launched two years ago. It brought together 12 musicians from the two continents, and led to the creation of original pieces of music that were performed during a public concert held in Addis Ababa in 2019 to mark Europe Day and the founding of the African Union, and again virtually in 2020.

Now, at the start of 2021, it is my wish that we will succeed, together with our Member States, in establishing real European Houses of Culture, i.e. spaces in partner countries that, in the same way as national cultural institutes, represent both European cultures and those of the host countries and encourage dialogue between the two. This process has already been launched but I would like it to be strengthened.

In the same way, I would like to see an expansion of exchange programmes for individuals. Over 26 000 exchanges have taken place between Europe and Africa since 2014 through the Erasmus+ programme. We want to go further and to allow at least 105 000 African students to benefit from a mobility programme by 2027.

These examples show that culture can and should play a significant role in the partnership between Europe and Africa – a partnership we want to redefine. In this regard, the theme chosen by the African Union for the year 2021‘Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want’ holds much promise for the future.

Dr. Mariatu Tamimu Seeks Financial Support for Specialized Treatment Abroad 

Dr. Mariatu Tamimu

By Amin Kef Sesay

Dr. Mariatu Tamimu, a young hard working Obs/Gyn resident attached to the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH), is presently seeking help as she has been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and urgently needs help to save her life.

According to a very reliable source, Dr. Mariatu Tamimu was recently diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and urgent action is needed to support the medic financially to undergo treatment and her family cannot afford to fund her treatment.

The Ovarian Cancer diagnosed is very aggressive and can spread quickly and that is why Dr. Mariatu Tamimu needs urgent financial support to undergo treatment.

Based on medical advice, treatment for Ovarian Cancer can only be received abroad and the medic therefore needs to travel to India for the treatment which costs US$41,000.00 (Forty-One Thousand United States Dollars).

It is against this backdrop that the Medic and her family are calling on the Government through the Offices of the President and First Lady, philanthropists, NGOs and INGOs, financial institutions, mobile companies, business houses and other entities to support her treatment in India. Whatever little you can afford to help save her life is appreciable. You can send your contribution in person or through Orange money to the following-:

Dr. Darlinda Jiba: +232 78 236153

Dr. Marcella Ryan-Coker: +232 78 750862

Dr. Diana Shehaab +232 78 444044

You can also use the Account Number below to deposit whatever amount you wish to contribute to save the life of Dr. Mariatu Tamimu and God will bless you for your humanitarian gesture.

Account Name: Darlinda F. Jiba

Account Number: 540120680003863

United Bank of Africa (UBA)

Kingho Leases Railway & Port from Government

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Management of Kingho Investment Company Limited on the 8th January 2021 joined officials of the mining and minerals sector of Sierra Leone to sign the railway and port lease agreement that will ensure the company’s subsidiary- Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited utilize the infrastructure for their iron ore transportation in the country. It should be noted that the Railway and Port is now the asset of the Government and the People of Sierra Leone.

The 192 kilometer railway facility which stretches from the new Iron Ore mines in Tonkolili District to the port town of Pepel in Port Loko District is owned by the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL). In order to enhance effective transportation of the iron ore from the mining site in Tonkolili to be transported out of the country, Kingho has to lease the railway and port facilities from the GoSL.

Against this backdrop, the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Minerals Agency (NMA) have signed the lease agreement granting Kingho Railway and Port the right to operate the railway and port facility for the transportation of Iron Ore out of the country. Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited will also commercialise the use of the railway and port to other potential users along the railway and port corridor after completion of Multi-Million Dollar restoration and expansion work.

Shortly after the event which took place at the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, Chief Executive officer (CEO) of Kingho Investment Company Limited, Gilbert Zhao expressed on behalf of the Board of Directors and Management of Kingho Sierra Leone his sincere thanks and appreciation to every single Government official who has worked so hard for the successful signing ceremony.

“The fulfilment of this agreement proves that Kingho is here to do business and in the right way,” Gilbert stressed whilst adding that “the company is trying to build a solid foundation of our success on compliance to all Government and local regulations and laws and in a transparent manner for the benefit of the company and the people of Sierra Leone.”

As a result, Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited will work strictly under the guidelines of the agreement and to fulfil all its obligations.

Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Timothy Kabba during the ceremony briefly said that the lease signing agreement is a way of showcasing Government’s support to enabling a very good working atmosphere for investors.

Meanwhile, it could be recalled that in September 2020, the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources handed over the New Tonkolili Iron Ore Project to Kingho Mining Company Limited. Both Kingho Mining Company Limited and Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited are subsidiaries of the parent body Kingho Investment Company Limited which itself is headed by the CEO Gilbert Zhao.

US Ambassador Says Criminals of Violent Acts of Terror Will be Held Accountable

United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Maria Brewer

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a statement issued on the 7th January 2021 by the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Maria Brewer, she disclosed that the United States Congress has completed its Constitutionally mandated count of the Electoral College vote and affirmed the election of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Kamala D. Harris.

According to the Ambassador, they will be sworn into office and a peaceful transfer of power will occur on January 20, 2021 adding that the criminals who committed violent acts of terror against her country’s democracy on the 6th January 2021 will be held accountable in accordance with the rule of law in the United States.

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many citizens of Sierra Leone who sent messages of support during the difficult hours of the 6th January 2021.

“The enduring friendship and partnership between the United States and the people of Sierra Leone will endure and thrive as we recommit to supporting and living up to our democratic ideals,” she maintained.

Ambassador Maria Brewer said they recognize that January 6 also marked a very sad anniversary in Sierra Leone, that of the RUF entering Freetown in 1999.

“We remember the many who suffered and died during that attack, which also reminds us that liberty and democracy must be continually safeguarded,” she concluded her statement.

1...969970971...1,366Page 970 of 1,366