The United States has announced a new visa restriction for Sierra Leoneans, attempting to undermine the June 2023 Presidential Election in the neighbouring country.
The Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, says the visa restriction policy will apply to specific individuals and is not directed at the Sierra Leonean people.
He noted that this decision reflects the commitment of the United States to support Sierra Leoneans' aspirations to have free and fair elections that demonstrate the will of the people and strengthen democracy and the rule of law.
The announcement comes at a time when Africa is gradually slipping back to military rule, scratching democratic rule, particularly in Francophone West Africa with the latest being Gabon.