Freetown, Sierra Leone – 18th September, 2023
The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs has issued a statement in response to numerous inquiries from concerned citizens regarding a reaffirmation agreement between the Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America, and Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the former Mayor and Mayor-Elect of the Freetown City Council in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The council noted that Sierra Leone, a sovereign nation guided by its laws, including the Local Government Act of 2022, requires all councilors, including the Mayor, to take the oath set out in the second schedule of the Local Government Act after elections.
They added that Mayor Aki-Sawyerr did not subscribe to this oath during the inauguration of the Western Region Councils on the 17th of August 2023.
While recognizing the importance of reaffirming relationships between cities, the Ministry of Local Government views this act as misleading and fraudulent, asserting that it has no place in Sierra Leone’s democracy.
In light of these concerns, the Ministry wishes to convey the following:
- The agreement between the Mayor of Connecticut and the former Mayor, now Mayor-Elect of Freetown City Council, is deemed null and void.
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyer is not considered properly seated to enter into any agreement on behalf of the Freetown City Council.
- The Sierra Leone Ambassador to the United States has been requested to communicate the Ministry’s position to the Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut.
- An investigation will be launched to ascertain the source of funding for this illegal engagement.
The Ministry firmly reiterates Sierra Leone’s commitment to the rule of law and its sovereignty. Citizens are urged not to take the agreement entered into by the former Mayor and Mayor-Elect, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, seriously.
