FREETOWN — The Government of Sierra Leone has dismissed reports linking the European Union’s postponed 2026 budget-support disbursement to ongoing judicial cooperation discussions with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, saying the delay stems from procedural timing and does not amount to a suspension of its broader partnership with the EU.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the government said it “has noted reports linking the European Union’s 2026 budget-support disbursement to ongoing discussions with the Kingdom of the Netherlands on judicial cooperation.”
The government said the European Commission formally communicated its decision on the 2026 disbursement in July, with reasons relating to the timing of Sierra Leone’s request for an amendment to the Financing Agreement and the resulting difficulty of completing required processes within the 2026 reporting cycle. The Commission proposed rescheduling the 2026 and 2027 disbursements to 2027 and 2028, with 2027 targets already agreed.
“The Government acknowledges that postponing this year’s disbursement is a setback. It does not, however, amount to a suspension of the broader partnership between Sierra Leone and the European Union,” the statement said.
It said Sierra Leone greatly values the longstanding partnership and remains committed to continued constructive engagement with the EU.
“For the avoidance of doubt, EU representatives have also made clear in subsequent engagement with the Government that the decision concerning the 2026 disbursement was not taken as a consequence of discussions concerning any particular individual,” the release said.
Reports presenting the EU’s July decision as a new punitive measure related to a particular individual or case “do not reflect the reasons formally communicated to the Government,” it added.
The government reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to international cooperation against transnational organized crime and to constructive judicial cooperation with all partners, consistent with its laws and established legal processes.
“At the same time, attempts to instrumentalize development cooperation or exert pressure on Sierra Leone through public threats and media campaigns are unhelpful. Such matters are best addressed through lawful processes, mutual respect and sustained engagement between competent authorities,” the statement said.
The government said it remains confident in the strength of Sierra Leone’s partnership with the European Union and looks forward to continued engagement towards the 2027 disbursement and its broader programme of cooperation.
