On Friday, the president of Sierra Leone alleged that the United States pressured him to intervene during the tallying of votes for the June 24 election in his country.
“At the peak moment of announcing the election results, that’s when issues arose,” commented President Julius Maada Bio while addressing an audience at American University in Washington.
AFP reports that President Bio emphasized that the Election Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) had diligently carried out all necessary calculations and procedures. ” I was now requested to stop them from calling the result by the United States. So, I don’t know who is accusing who of interference.”
Referring to the ECSL, President Bio added, “They operate as an independent, semi-autonomous entity. I made my stance clear, saying I’ve never contacted them before and I won’t start now.”