In an exclusive interview with IB Blog, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Sierra Leone, H.E. Bryan David Hunt, has debunked claims that the recent US$1.5M donation was earmarked for conducting a “Re-run” of the 2023 General Elections.
Speaking at the New Brookfields Hotel after the Tripartite Electoral Review Committee press conference on February 6th, 2024, Ambassador Hunt clarified the purpose of the donation.
He emphasized that the funds were designated for the electoral review committee’s work, not for rerunning elections.
Addressing the misunderstanding surrounding the donation, Ambassador Hunt stated, “I think people need to understand that the cost of running an election goes into tens of millions of dollars… So the 1.5 million dollars that we have given has nothing to do with re-running an election.”
He further urged citizens to disregard misinformation regarding the donation’s purpose, asserting that it was strictly allocated for the electoral review committee’s activities.
Ambassador Hunt underscored the importance of international expertise in shaping recommendations for electoral reforms in Sierra Leone.
The clarification comes amidst concerns and speculations regarding the utilization of the US donation, with some erroneously claiming it was intended for conducting a rerun of the 2023 elections.
CEO of IB Blog, Mr. Ibrahim Jawara, published the exclusive interview online, shedding light on the true intent of the funds provided by the United States.
