EU Budget Support Delay: Government Rejects Link to Judicial Case, Clarifies Reason for 2026 Disbursement Shift

Government Clarifies EU Budget Support Disbursement to Sierra Leone

Note: According to the Information and Civic Education Minister. 

The Government of Sierra Leone has clarified reports linking the European Union’s 2026 budget-support disbursement to ongoing discussions between Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on judicial cooperation.

According to the Government, the European Commission formally communicated its decision regarding the 2026 disbursement in July. The reasons provided, the Government said, related to the timing of Sierra Leone’s request to amend the Financing Agreement and the resulting difficulty of completing the required processes within the 2026 reporting cycle.

As a result, the European Commission proposed rescheduling the 2026 and 2027 disbursements to 2027 and 2028 respectively, with the targets for the 2027 disbursement already agreed.

The Government acknowledged that the postponement of the 2026 disbursement represents a setback, but stressed that it does not amount to a suspension of the broader partnership between Sierra Leone and the European Union.

“Sierra Leone greatly values this longstanding partnership and remains committed to continued constructive engagement with the EU,” the Government stated.

Government Rejects Link to Particular Individual

The Government further clarified that EU representatives subsequently made clear that the decision concerning the 2026 disbursement was not taken as a consequence of discussions involving any particular individual.

It therefore said reports portraying the EU’s July decision as a new punitive measure connected to a particular individual or case do not reflect the reasons formally communicated to the Government.

Commitment to Judicial Cooperation

The Government reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to international cooperation in addressing transnational organised crime and to constructive judicial cooperation with international partners, in accordance with Sierra Leonean laws and established legal processes.

At the same time, the Government cautioned against what it described as attempts to instrumentalise development cooperation or exert pressure on Sierra Leone through public threats and media campaigns.

“Such matters are best addressed through lawful processes, mutual respect and sustained engagement between competent authorities,” the Government said.

The Government expressed confidence in the continued strength of Sierra Leone’s partnership with the European Union and said it looks forward to further engagement towards the 2027 disbursement and the continuation of the broader EU-Sierra Leone cooperation programme.