National Returning Officer, Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, Mohamed Konneh has announced that Yvonne Aki Sawyerr has been re-elected as Mayor of the Freetown Municipality at the June 24, 2023 general elections.
Sawyerr who run on the ticket of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), polled 288,683 votes representing 51% of votes as against the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP’s) candidate, Mohamed Gento Kamara who got 268,213 representing 48% of the votes.
The Chartered Accountant thus becomes the first female mayor since 1977 – 1980 when the position was held by Dr June Holst-Roness.
Re-elected Mayor Aki-Sawyer said: “Freetonians this victory is for all of us. Thank you for believing in my vision and for giving me the honor to serve as you as Mayor for another term. I look forward to working with all of you again to transform Freetown and make it a city we are all proud of.”
She is a holder of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and was given a presidential medal for work she did on sensitisation on the deadly Ebola virus that ravaged the country years back.
Her campaign website said: “Yvonne is a finance professional with over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, risk management and project management in the public and private sectors.
“A team player with a demonstrable record of leading institutional change, Yvonne is passionate about the development of Sierra Leone.
“She is a Chartered Accountant and holds an MSc in Politics of the World Economy (London School of Economics) and a BSc Hons in Economics (Fourah Bay College). She is married with two children.”
Mohamed Gento Kamara has congratulated the mayor re-elect saying: “My Freetown people, we campaigned in these elections for a chance to fix our city in a practical and inclusive way. You were inspired by our vision, showed up, defied expectations and voted overwhelmingly for me and my deputy.
“We changed the conversation about who can vie for leadership positions in the city; we made it clear that everyone of us ‘kontri, krio’. Unfortunately, we now know that there were systematic efforts to steal this vote from you including documented efforts to bribe, intimidate and assault polling agents, stuff ballots and even attack our supporters in parts of the city.
“This turned things against our wishes. After consulting with my family and leaders of my party and in the interest of peace and harmony and for the love of my city, I have decided to not contest the skewed results. I know this is difficult news for the many supporters from every tribe, religion and political party who invested their time and hope in my candidacy.
“But this city is greater Christian, Muslim belong in our local politics than any one of us. I urge you all to please remain calm as we seek other avenues of addressing the problems in our city together.
“I take this opportunity to congratulate Yvonne Aki-Sawyer on being declared the winner of the mayoral race and I wish her well in the future. We have sent an unmistakable message in this election. That Freetown belongs to all us. And that everyone of us have a stake in fixing this city. Freetown people, be assured that I will never stop championing this city. I’ll never stop working for this city. And I’ll always use my blessings to support my people who need assistance. I thank you for the love and support. Blessings to all”.
