By Josephine Lagawo
Hon Mohamed Barrie APC Member of Parliament from Bombali District has said that the will of the people should be respected in every election free from manipulation and undue influence.
Hon Barrie made this statement while contributing to the Millennium Challenge Compact agreement that was ratified on Tuesday October 15th 2024.
He pointed out that this compact will strengthen the energy and infrastructure sector and will also provide opportunity for the conditions to improve the governance system and enhance democracy in the country.
He thanked the US government for always pushing developing country to enhance our democracy so that elections are credible and electoral institutions are independent to ensure that the voice of every citizen is heard through an independent, fear and credible process of elections.
He went on to say that they should not forget that the sacrifices made for the democracy as they have thousands of Sierra Leoneans including the soldiers who pay the ultimate price for the freedom they are enjoying now we must ask ourselves are we really let this sacrifices be in vain the manipulation and challenges in the 2023 elections served as a painful reminder that our democracy is fragile the people’s vote must not be tampered with the essential of our democracy depends on a free, fair elections.
The Speaker of Parliament Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas said if it were the APC government in power when they get this compact, he would have wholeheartedly support them to achieve the compact because it is good for all of them, pleading to members of parliament to debate the agreement without political sentiment.
Opposition Leader of parliament Hon Abdul Kargbo said that this not the first time Sierra Leone has benefited from MCC, pointing out that in 2014, Sierra Leone benefited $48M from the threshold.
