By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, today marks another important milestone in our ongoing conversation about the state of our beloved Sierra Leone. As I’ve mentioned before, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Agreement is one of those key issues that should not be swept under the rug. The truth is, Mr. President, I have been keeping a close watch on the developments surrounding this agreement, and I have sources within your government, including some of your most trusted aides. These individuals may not always be forthcoming, but when they speak, I can read between the lines. As a Sierra Leonean, I can tell when someone is alluding to having been present during critical discussions. And the MCC Agreement, Mr. President, has more to it than what meets the eye.
Let me remind you of something I have previously said: Sierra Leone did not meet the threshold to pass for the MCC grant. The decision to qualify the country was not based on actual performance but on strategic benchmarks, with the Tripartite Agreement serving as the cornerstone. The MCC was tied to this agreement, and based on the facts, Sierra Leone simply did not fulfill the necessary requirements. I have read the entire agreement, and it’s clear that your government has not adhered to the core elements of the MCC criteria. Transparency, human rights, and anti-corruption? None of these have been adequately addressed.
Mr. President, your administration has consistently bullied its way through governance, violating the rights of citizens and perpetuating a culture of corruption. You, your wife, and several members of your inner circle are not just complicit but have become symbols of this endemic rot. On the scale of human rights, your government scores a zero. The international community is aware of this, as are the Sierra Leonean people.
Do you recall the massacre at Pademba Road Prison? I do. Sierra Leoneans do. That tragedy, orchestrated under the leadership of your former deputy internal affairs minister and public relations officer of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), has never been addressed. Lahai Lawrence Leeman and Fatmata Sawaneh, former women’s leaders of the SLPP, continue to walk freely, boasting of their untouchability. The investigation into the incident has yielded nothing but silence, and no one has been held accountable.
This is not an isolated case. What about the August 9th and 10th, 2023, protests? The tragic loss of lives that followed was an avoidable national catastrophe. Yet, no one from your government has been brought to justice, even after the recommendations made by the Dr. Saffa Abdulai Committee. These incidents continue to haunt us, and Sierra Leoneans are keeping notes. Believe me, Mr. President, there will come a time when all those responsible will face the full force of justice. We will not forget. The long arm of justice will eventually catch up with every individual involved in these cover-ups, including those you continue to shield.
In light of all this, one cannot help but reflect on the recent statements made by U.S. Ambassador Brian Hunts during a Radio Democracy interview. Ambassador Hunts took a firm stance on how the MCC will be implemented in Sierra Leone, and his words were telling. He made it very clear that your government cannot be trusted with the disbursement of the MCC funds. How embarrassing is it that, under your leadership, our country has reached the point where international donors do not trust your government to manage funds?
According to Ambassador Hunts, the money allocated under the MCC will not go through your government but will be directed to contractors identified by the U.S. government. This is a stark indictment of your administration’s inability to handle public funds responsibly. Mr. President, what does that say about the credibility of your government? “Na becos na so so anyampi dem dae na wi government,” as the people say. The reputation of your administration has been soiled by the perception that it is filled with thieves and opportunists. “Una ol na tiff man dem,” as the common man would put it.
Another matter that surfaced during Ambassador Hunts’ discussion was the real credit behind securing the MCC Agreement. Your now-former Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, claimed to be the architect of the deal. However, Ambassador Hunts set the record straight. It was actually Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh who played a pivotal role in bringing the MCC Agreement to fruition. This public clarification might explain the swift dismissal of Dr. Sengeh from his role as Chief Minister. His claims, which were not just false but self-aggrandizing, reflect the internal discord within your government.
Mr. President, it’s clear that you recognized Dr. Jalloh’s contributions to the MCC, but shouldn’t there be some form of discipline for Dr. Sengeh? A man who attempts to claim glory for someone else’s work should face consequences. Perhaps this reflects your own tendency to be economical with the truth. Sierra Leoneans are watching, and we are concerned.
The MCC is not just a financial agreement; it is tied to a broader framework that includes the Tripartite Agreement. This “Tripartite” arrangement will be critical to the implementation of the MCC, and your government needs to follow the agreement to the letter. There is no room for cutting corners, especially when it comes to something as significant as this. “Na di wod dat o,” as the saying goes. Your administration must realize that the strings attached to the MCC are not negotiable. It is a conditional grant, one that depends on your government’s ability to implement the necessary reforms.
Mr. President, I urge you to reflect on the message being sent by the U.S. government through the MCC. It is clear that Sierra Leone is at a crossroads. Your government’s track record of corruption, human rights abuses, and financial mismanagement has put us in a precarious position. But there is still time to change course. The MCC Agreement, flawed as it may be, offers an opportunity for reform. However, it must be approached with honesty and a genuine commitment to the betterment of Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leoneans have had enough of being taken for granted. The international community is losing faith in your administration’s ability to govern effectively. Your government’s reputation for corruption, coupled with its disregard for human rights, has placed us on the brink of losing much-needed support from our development partners. If you truly care about the future of Sierra Leone, now is the time to act.
Mr. President, the ball is in your court. Follow the MCC agreement to the letter, address the human rights violations that have occurred under your watch, and rid your administration of corrupt individuals. Sierra Leone deserves better, and it is within your power to change the course of our nation’s history.
The question is, will you take the necessary steps to ensure that? Or will you continue to allow our country to be defined by corruption, incompetence, and missed opportunities?
