By Nasratu Kargbo
The European Union has in a press statement denied the allegations by the Leader of the Coalition for Change (C4C) in Parliament Saa Emerson Lamina against the EU Ambassador Manuel Muller, referring to him as the “mouthpiece” of the main opposition party the All People’s Congress (APC).
The release dated 2nd March 2023 stated that the EU does not favour any political party or candidate. EU in its statement explained that they support processes that allow for free, transparent, credible, and inclusive elections in order for people’s will to be taken into consideration.
“The EU’s electoral support is strictly non-partisan and aimed at building the institutions capacity of electoral management bodies and civil society organizations to effective, inclusive and peaceful electoral operations” a part reads.
Responding to the MP who had stated that the Ambassador had been actively involved in the bye-election, the statement explained that all staff of the EU including the Ambassador were officially accredited by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone as “international observers”. It further explained that the EU has been part of the diplomatic watch exercise coordinated with other international partners in recent bye-elections and that the 056 Tonkolili election was no exception, adding that they behaved with respect during the course of the election.
It stated that the allegation the MP made regarding the August 10th riot is false.
The Leader for C4C in Parliament Saa Emerson Lamina had asked the African Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) - EU Joint Parliamentary Committee on Political Affairs members to call to order the EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone Manuel Muller for interfering in Sierra Leone’s politics, and described him as being a “mouthpiece and an extension of the main opposition APC”.
The MP stated that some sections of the international community that are expected to support the country’s democratic improvements are instead undermining it.
Lamina said that Ambassador Muller had been interfering with the country’s politics, recalling that during the recent parliamentary bye-election in constituency 056, the Ambassador was seen moving from one polling station to the other and allegedly made unpleasant statements about the president and the government.
He added that Muller has on many occasions tried to influence the commission’s chairman and commissioners, adding that the Ambassador was recorded saying that “In Makeni, the main opposition stronghold, I saw a huge crowd of people turning out to register; whereas in Bo, the governing Party stronghold, people were few. How come now that more people registered in Bo than Makeni?” Lamina noted that the statement is inciting.
He also mentioned that Muller referred to a democratically elected Government as a ‘faction’ during the August 10th".
Following the reasons put forward by the MP, a representative from the European Union Action Services (EEAS) took note of the motion and told the gathering that they will look into the issue, stating that it is the EU’s responsibility to strengthen the bilateral relationships.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (03/03/23)
