FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE – The Biden administration has come under fire for allegedly pressuring Sierra Leone’s government to pass a controversial pro-abortion bill. Critics claim the U.S. is threatening to withhold millions in aid unless the West African country decriminalizes abortion.
At the center of the dispute is the $480 million Sierra Leone Compact, a five-year partnership between Sierra Leone and the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) aimed at improving access to affordable electricity. A former senior U.S. official alleged that the MCC is tying the passage of the proposed “Safe Motherhood Act” to the release of funds.
The proposed legislation would legalize abortion up to 14 weeks for any reason and beyond that to protect the “mental health of the woman.” Currently, abortion is permitted in Sierra Leone only to save a woman’s life.
The bill has sparked strong opposition from religious leaders and the public in Sierra Leone, where 77% of the population is Muslim and 22% Christian. Many view the legislation as a direct affront to the country’s cultural and religious values.
U.S. and Local Leaders Speak Out
Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), a leading voice in the U.S. Pro-Life Caucus, condemned the Biden administration’s approach as “pro-abortion bullying” and an example of “ideological colonialism.” Smith accused the administration of leveraging aid to coerce Sierra Leone into adopting policies that are “antithetical” to its societal values.
“Pro-life countries should be celebrated for protecting unborn children and their mothers, not penalized by a pro-abortion U.S. administration,” Smith said.
Valerie Huber, a former U.S. official under the Trump administration, echoed these concerns, noting a rise in anti-American sentiment among African nations over similar pressures.
In Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio has expressed support for the legislation, describing it as necessary for advancing women’s health. The government’s Ministry of Information has been promoting the bill through public discussions, despite widespread opposition.
Religious Leaders and Public Resistance
Religious and community leaders have been vocal in their rejection of the legislation. According to a 2022 State Department report, Sierra Leone remains a deeply religious society where abortion is widely viewed as morally unacceptable.
An NGO leader in Freetown revealed that Sierra Leone’s parliament may vote on the bill this week, under what they described as mounting pressure from the U.S.
Broader Implications for U.S.-Africa Relations
This controversy highlights broader tensions in U.S.-Africa relations. The Biden administration has been accused of promoting progressive social agendas across the continent, including abortion and LGBTQ rights. In South Africa, U.S. funds have supported controversial sexuality education programs, while in other African nations, U.S. initiatives have reportedly prioritized ideological goals over local needs.
Critics argue these actions risk alienating African nations and undermining decades of goodwill built through programs like President George W. Bush’s PEPFAR initiative, which focused on combating HIV/AIDS.
As Sierra Leone faces mounting external pressures, the debate over the Safe Motherhood Act has become a flashpoint in the broader struggle over sovereignty, cultural values, and foreign influence in Africa.
