2009 Press Releases

U.S. Embassy Condems Politically-motivated violence in Sierra Leone

 

Freetown                                                                                                                Contact: APAO Lindsay Kennedy
Tel: 022-515-000 or 076-515-000
Date: March 17, 2009

The United States Embassy condemns the politically-motivated violence that occurred on March 13 and 16.  Embassy officials have met with leaders from the APC and SLPP parties, as well as government representatives, to stress the need for responsible leadership from all sides. The Embassy is making every effort to promote a proactive dialogue to ensure that violations against people and property stop immediately, and calls on all sides to renounce violence, respect human rights, and resolve disputes legally and democratically. As March is Women's History Month, it is particularly egregious that allegations of rape have surfaced. Rape has been strongly condemned by the international community as an instrument of war and inhumanity.

A nation fractured by political tension is distracted from the governance and social issues affecting the everyday lives of its people.  Leaders must promote unity between political parties to ensure their collaboration to achieve the overarching interests of Sierra Leone and its citizens.  Likewise, the people of Sierra Leone must do their part to restore and maintain tranquility and civility to the country. Mediation, rather than retaliation, is the hallmark of peaceful democracies. The United States Government stands ready, both as a bilateral partner and as a member of the multilateral community, to assist Sierra Leone's government, parties, and people to preserve the peace and stability so hard-won in this country.
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