Sierra Leone Telegraph: 27 March 2024:
President Bio of Sierra Leone is among the first heads of State in the region to extend congratulations to the newly elected president of Senegal – Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who defeated the incumbent Macky Sall at last weekend’s polls.
President Bio has many reasons to celebrate the downfall of Macky Sall, after his government accused Macky Sall of spearheading the release of former President of Sierra Leone – Ernest Bai Koroma from house arrest, who has been charged to court for treason offences by the Bio-led government.
A delegation of ECOWAS leaders including Macky Sall and President Akufo Addo of Ghana, visited Freetown last November where they held talks with President Bio, calling for the release of former President Koroma for medical treatment in Nigeria.
Since his repatriation to Nigeria, High Court proceedings have been adjourned until the former president of Sierra Leone is medically fit to return to the country to answer treason charges.
Supporters and senior members of the ruling SLPP in Sierra Leone are blaming Macky Sall for what they describe as “Koroma escaping justice”. But supporters of Koroma’s opposition APC say that Koroma (Photo above) cannot be guaranteed justice under a Bio-led government.
In his congratulatory message to the new president of Senegal, President Bio said:
(Photo by JOHN WESSELS / AFP)
“On behalf of the people and government of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, extends his warmest congratulations to the President-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, on his victory in Senegal’s presidential elections.
“This triumph is a reflection of the trust and confidence that the people of Senegal have placed in his leadership, vision, and commitment to serving his nation.
“President Bio takes immense pride in witnessing the successful democratic process that unfolded in Senegal and commends the people and Government of Senegal for their unwavering commitment to peaceful and democratic elections.
“President Bio expresses his appreciation to President Macky Sall for his leadership and friendship to Sierra Leone during his presidency.
“As Senegal embarks on this new chapter, President Bio looks forward to working closely with the President-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to strengthen the longstanding bonds between the two countries and foster even stronger regional cooperation.
“As the President-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, prepares to take up the responsibilities of leading Senegal, I would like to offer him my utmost support and collaboration in enhancing the bilateral relations between our two nations. Sierra Leone stands ready to work hand in hand with his government to promote peace, sustainable development, and prosperity for the African continent.”
Bassirou Faye is a Pan Africanist and an anti-colonialist, fairly elected by his people. Bio does not know who he is and is a first-class neocolonialist, not as intelligent and articulate as His Excellency Bassirou Faye.
His Excellency Bassirou Faye should steer clear of him (Bio) so that his disposition does not affect him, such as killing his own people, dividing the Senegalese on tribal and regional lines, rigging elections, blurring the lines between the three arms of government, wasting his country’s resources by constantly hiring private jets to fly from one corner of the world to the other for stupid reasons, and leading the team of corrupters who have crippled Sierra Leone.
Please Your Excellency President Faye, avoid Bio. He is an extremely dangerous and bad example; stay close to your people, they are you and you are them. I wish you Allah’s guidance and speed.
What irony! What chutzpah! A recidivist putschist twice over and specialist of daylight election robbery having the nerve to congratulate Senegal’s newly elected president!
It is clear that Bio lacks self-awareness, is devoid of self-criticism, and is shameless. He is a brazen thief, his vulgarity limitless.
His congratulatory message makes me cringe, drives me nuts, and makes me wish for a pause in the world to escape.
Please, Mr Bio, spare us this Bacchanalian regional political leadership posturing of yours. We see through your façade clearly.
You are a mockery, a political reveller, a central character in Sierra Leone’s absurd carnival under your rule. A charade that amuses no one except you and your blindly devoted adulators.