By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
Expressing the position of the Sierra Leone Government, regarding the recent U.S. Visa restriction on certain unidentified individuals in Sierra Leone, State House Press Secretary Solomon Jamiru has on Friday 1st September 2023 in an interview said that the government is uncomfortable with the United State Visa restriction policy but would further engage to see that the decision is revised.
Following the post-election controversies of the June 24 Election, it could be recalled that the United States Government expressed concern over the transparency of the election results tabulation process, and later urged the incumbent Government to authorize an independent and outside body to review the election results. Though President Bio setup a similar election review committee headed by his Vice President, the U.S Government insisted on its dictates of an independent and outside body.
“This is the action of the U.S Government and the less we speak about it the better because it is only the US Government could clarify why this. We cannot clarify on their behalf but we can only speak to our situation. We want the people of Sierra Leone to know that the Government of Sierra Leone and specifically, President Bio had been engaging the U.S Government even before this,” Press Secretary intimated.
The Press Secretary wrung out that no government would be pleased with a Visa restriction from another country. No government wants it, even the United Nations don’t want it, he expressed. Jamiru frantically revealed that the decision was not something they were looking forward to as he said it did not depict the many genuine efforts the government had been showcasing in order to build and consolidate democracy for peace.
Solomon Jamiru recalled that by every stretch of imagination the election was peaceful and that was widely acclaimed and validated by outstanding sub regional and regional institutions. Press Secretary admitted that there were post-election concerns and said that was why His Excellency President Bio had taken a first step by setting up an election review committee. “Other issues concerning the elections we have genuine and patriotic Sierra Leoneans together with the international Community we can resolve this. So to get a travel ban at this point is really not something any government would want to see,” he said.
On the irregularities of the election raised by other institutions, he said they have recourses as he made reference to the Public Elections Act Section 64 which he said mandated for the challenge of elections if it is considered not credible and does not reflect the will of the people. “The election was never challenged but people decided to use other recourses,” he affirmed.
Stating their current position on the visa restriction, the Press Secretary said as a government they need to benefit from further clarifications about all that had been alleged. He said until they get specific details the government would not make any conclusion at this juncture. Solomon Jamiru further expressed that the decision was not something they wanted as he said they are a government that have a duly elected President.
As one of the best way-out, the Press Secretary recalled that the President had taken a bold step by setting up an election review committee which he said would strengthen their electioneering processes moving forward. Jamiru affirmed that there had never been lack of action on the part of the government adding that although not to the extent other people might have wanted it. “This is not what we wanted. Now that it is what it is, it gives both parties to engage further and to hopefully see a revision on this decision,” he said.
Jamiru emphasized the seriousness of the committee on the part of the government saying the committee was already concluding on its compositions and the designated functions of the different players. He assured that with those different players the committee would do justice and that would strengthen their processes moving forward. Jamiru emphatically reinforced the credibility and professionalism of institutions in Sierra Leone and expressed his dismay over why the other set of people doubted those institutions, having worked with them for the longest of time.
“Not because at this point in time you have not gotten what you wanted all of a sudden you wrongly characterize those institutions as not capable of trust. I think those statements have verity implications and in the process you are hurting and injuring your own international reputations. I think they should refrain from such statements,” he admonished.
The Press Secretary assured that the committee had developmental and professional institutions and that having the Vice President as head of that committee would not jeopardize the integrity of the committee. He emphasized that the Vice President is someone with a wealth of experience when it comes to electoral matters and said that was why the President placed him at the forefront.
“So if the U.S. Government have any concern and we are in the course of those engagement and the U.S. Government choose to impose a visa restriction we have an opportunity to maybe help engage the U.S. Government to appreciate better on what is the reality and how they should review the policy. That is the expectation of the government,” he said.
State House Press Secretary affirmed that the government had invested so much to deepen democracy, peace and security in the election and said, that had yielded the most peaceful elections in Sierra Leone. “I think our position at this moment on the travel restriction is, it is not something we wanted, but now we have an opportunity to engage and engage further.