A group of Sierra Leoneans calling themselves Concerned Sierra Leoneans yesterday (Monday 17 July 2023) protested in London, England, seeking for “the intervention of the international community in restoring democracy in Sierra Leone”.
Following the conduct of the multi-tier elections by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) on 24 June 2023, the Returning Officer who doubles as Chairman of ECSL, Mohamed Konneh, hastily announced the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), a party to which he reportedly belongs, and its Presidential candidate, Julius Maada Bio, as the winners of the elections.
The Concerned Sierra Leoneans are now saying that, “The announcement of the elections result by Mohamed Konneh in favour of the ruling SLPP and President Bio was undemocratic as it did not reflect the votes of the electorates”.
Prior to announcing the elections result, Mr Konneh failed to present the disaggregated votes count by polling stations across the country and to project the results even when asked by both national and international elections observers to do so.
“We are therefore calling for a re-run of the elections in Sierra Leone and the possible levy of both political and economic sanctions against the government of Julius Maada Bio”, they noted.
It could be recalled that a similar protest was held at Capitol Hill in Washington DC in the United States last Friday, 14 July 2023, by Sierra Leoneans resident in America.
During the protest in America, a petition letter was handed over to the United States government which highlighted “the fraudulent June 24 elections and the innumerable human rights abuses” by the SLPP government since April 4, 2018, when President Bio took power.
After last Friday’s protest in Washington, a positive reaction from the US government occurred and a statement was issued that raised serious concerns over the Bio presidency and the June 24 elections.
It was that singular positive reaction by the Joe Biden presidency which motivated yesterday’s protest in London.