Fact-Check Story
On Thursday 15th December, Ambassador Wilfred Leoroy Kabs-Kanu posted on his Facebook page that “President Biden took photos ops with 6 Presidents he called to the White House today to urge to make their elections next year free and fair. So far, only one Liberia’s President Weah was honest to report why Biden invited them.
Fact-Checkers Comments
US President Joe Biden met with six African nations facing elections in 2023 including the President of Sierra Leone. President Biden urged the leaders to ensure that balloting is free and fair underscored that holding elections is fundamental to a functioning democracy. The Private meeting was held on Wednesday 14th December 2022 at the White House
By Zainab Sherif and Ndemoah Mansaray
On Thursday 15th December, Ambassador Wilfred Leeroy Kabs-Kanu posted on his Face book page that : “ President Biden took photos ops with 6 presidents he called to the White House today to urge to make their elections next year free and fair ,so far ,only one ,Liberia ‘s President George Weah , was honest to report why Biden invite them .”
Going through the various twitter account of the invited presidents including the Sierra Leone’s President, many tweets acknowledged meeting with the President of United States during the US-Africa summit.
The Presidential Press Secretary, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi in his daily updates on the visit tweeted, “First exclusive bilateral meeting in the oval office between a United States President and a sitting Head of State of Sierra Leone. President Bio’s aspiration to transform Sierra Leone into a progressive society aligns with @POTUS’ vision for a progressive Africa.”
His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio tweeted “Earlier Today, I met with @POTUS@JoeBiden at the @WhiteHouse as part of the ongoing US-Africa Leaders’ summit. We had a robust discussion on various topics, including strategies for enhancing the age-long relations between Sierra Leone and the United States of America. “
Bloomberg reported that President Joe Biden met with leaders of six African nations facing elections in 2023 and urged them to ensure that balloting is free and fair. The Private meeting was held on Wednesday 14th December 2022 at the White House.
According to the White House website, “President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met December 14 with President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, President George Manneh Weah of Liberia, President Andry Nirina Rajoelina of Madagascar, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, and President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone to discuss their countries’ upcoming elections in 2023 at this critical time for democracy globally. President Biden reflected on the recent midterm elections, noting that the strength and resilience of American democracy was reaffirmed in the process, and he reinforced the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to working collectively to renew and defend democracy at home and abroad. Although elections themselves do not equal democracy, President Biden underscored that holding elections is fundamental to a functioning democracy.
Together the leaders discussed the challenges of holding elections and exercising the right to vote, including foreign interference and political violence, and shared best practices for how to manage these risks and ensure transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to hold free, fair, and transparent elections conducted by competent, independent, and impartial national electoral bodies, as enshrined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance. ”
Excerpts from United States Embassy in Sierra Leone Facebook also reads that , “President Biden met with six African leaders who are preparing for elections in 2023 including Sierra Leone’s President Bio.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met December 14 with President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, President George Manneh Weah of Liberia, President Andry Nirina Rajoelina of Madagascar, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, and President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone to discuss their countries’ upcoming elections in 2023 at this critical time for democracy globally. President Biden reflected on the recent midterm elections, noting that the strength and resilience of American democracy was reaffirmed in the process, and he reinforced the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to working collectively to renew and defend democracy at home and abroad. Although elections themselves do not equal democracy, President Biden underscored that holding elections is fundamental to a functioning democracy. “
The US-Africa Leaders’ Summit took place in Washington, DC, from December 13 to 15 2022. 49 African leaders invited and the meetings covered multiple aspects of the relationship between the US and Africa, including economic engagement, security, education, health, and climate-related issues.