The Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement–Global (SLAM-Global) has called for an immediate, independent investigation into a widely circulated social media video allegedly showing civilians being brutally assaulted by individuals believed to be members of the country’s security forces.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, 1st July, 2026, the organization expressed deep concern over the footage, describing it as disturbing and warning that if authenticated, the incident would represent a serious violation of the Constitution, the rule of law and the fundamental rights of Sierra Leonean citizens.
SLAM-Global stressed that while the authenticity of the video and the identities of those involved must be independently verified, the allegations are grave enough to warrant an urgent, transparent, and impartial inquiry.
The organization stated that no member of the security forces or public official has the legal or moral authority to administer punishment outside the judicial process, emphasizing that justice must be delivered through the courts rather than through violence.
According to the statement, allegations of excessive force, political intimidation, economic hardship, and concerns about democratic governance have weakened public confidence in state institutions over the years. The group argued that any credible allegation of unlawful violence by state actors further undermines national unity and trust in public institutions.
SLAM-Global outlined several recommendations, including an independent investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident, preservation of all available evidence, prosecution of anyone found responsible regardless of rank, protection of victims and witnesses from intimidation, and renewed commitment to constitutional governance, due process, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The organization also acknowledged the professionalism and sacrifices of law-abiding members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and other security agencies, noting that accountability strengthens rather than weakens national institutions.
Appealing to the public, SLAM-Global urged Sierra Leoneans to maintain faith in justice and the rule of law, insisting that every citizen deserves dignity, security, and equal protection under the Constitution.
The statement concluded with a call for truth, justice, accountability, and national renewal, arguing that the incident should serve as a turning point in strengthening respect for human rights and democratic governance in Sierra Leone. The document was signed by Dr. Alfred A. Veenod Fullah, Director-General of SLAM-Global, and copied to the Presidency, Parliament, national security institutions, regional organizations, international partners, diplomatic missions, civil society groups, and international media organizations.
See Press Release below
July 01, 2026
PRESSÂ STATEMENT
NOÂ CITIZENÂ SHOULDÂ BEÂ BEATENÂ INTOÂ SILENCE:Â SIERRAÂ LEONE DESERVES JUSTICE, NOT BRUTALITY
The Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement–Global (SLAM-GLOBAL) expresses profound alarm over a disturbing video circulating on social media that appears to show civilians being subjected to a brutal beating by individuals alleged to be members of the security forces. While the authenticity of the video and the identities of those involved must be independently verified, the footage is deeply troubling and demands an urgent, impartial, and transparent investigation.
If this video is genuine, it is not merely an assault on two individuals—it is an assault on the Constitution of Sierra Leone, the rule of law, and the dignity of every Sierra Leonean.
No government, no soldier, no police officer, and no public official has the legal or moral authority to replace the courts with sticks, boots, or bullets. Justice belongs in the courtroom—not in the streets.
For far too long, Sierra Leoneans have witnessed a painful pattern in which allegations of excessive force, political intimidation, economic hardship, and unresolved questions surrounding democratic governance have steadily eroded public confidence. Families struggle under crushing poverty. Young people search desperately for jobs. Citizens continue to seek greater transparency and accountability in public affairs. Against this backdrop, any credible allegation of unlawful violence by state actors deepens national wounds rather than healing them.
A nation cannot build peace while fear walks its streets.
A nation cannot demand respect for the law while ignoring allegations that the law has been violated by those entrusted to uphold it.
A nation cannot ask its people to trust institutions that fail to protect the weak from the powerful.
The greatness of a democracy is not measured by how it treats the influential. It is measured by how it treats the powerless, the accused, the poor, and those who have no voice.
SLAM-GLOBAL therefore calls for:
- An immediate independent investigation into the video to determine its authenticity, identify those involved, and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
- The preservation of all evidence, including the original footage, witness statements, and medical examinations where appropriate.
- Full accountability for any individual found to have acted unlawfully, regardless of rank or position.
- Protectionfor witnesses and victims against intimidation or
- Renewed commitment to constitutional governance, due process, and the protection of every citizen’s fundamental rights.
This moment must become more than another viral video. It must become a turning point.
To the soldiers and security officers who faithfully serve Sierra Leone with professionalism and honor, we acknowledge your sacrifice and your duty to protect our nation. Upholding the law strengthens your institution; unlawful violence diminishes it.
To the people of Sierra Leone, never lose faith in the enduring power of truth. Justice delayed must never become abandoned. Every citizen deserves dignity. Every family deserves security. Every child deserves to grow up believing that the law protects rather than persecutes.
History will not remember how loudly governments defended themselves. It will remember how faithfully they defended their people.
Our Sierra Leone is stronger than fear. Our Constitution is stronger than violence.
Our future must be stronger than injustice. Truth. Justice. Accountability. National Renewal.
P.S. We invite you to explore our recently published analysis in a book, “Building a Nation: Good Governance and Democratic Principles in Sierra Leone.” As we unite for change in 2026, this resource provides valuable insights for activists, policymakers, and concerned citizens committed to Sierra Leone’s transformation. Find it here: link.
Signed,
Dr. Alfred A. Veenod Fullah
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
CC: Office of the President of Sierra Leone
- Officeof the Vice President of Sierra Leone
- Speakerof the Sierra Leone House of Parliament
- Officeof the Chief Minister of the Government of Sierra Leone
- ElectoralCommission for Sierra Leone (ECSL)
- InspectorGeneral of Sierra Leone Police
- Chiefof Defence Staff, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF)
- Officeof National Security, Sierra Leone
- IndependentCommission for Peace and National Cohesion
- LeonardoSantos Simao, Representative of the Secretary-General & Head of UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)
- AfricanUnion (AU)
- EconomicCommunity of West African States (ECOWAS)
- AmnestyInternational
- MarcoRubio, United States Secretary of State
- VicePresident, Congressional and Public Affairs
- TheCommonwealth Secretary-General
- KarimAhmad Khan, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC)
- RichardYOUNG, Chief de Division, Afrique de l’Ouest
- Ursula Von Der Lyen, European Commissioner
- TheUnited Nations Representative in Sierra Leone
- E. Oumar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission
- MadamFatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, former VP of The Gambia
- EJohn Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana
- E. Bassiru Faye, President of Senegal
- E.Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea
- E.Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia
- DavidLammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Dev Affairs, UK
- NeilAlan John Coyle, MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark, UK
- AmbassadorAly Diallo, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to the UK&I
- AmbassadorMohammad Maidugu, Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in the UK&I
- HerExcellency Dr Fatou Bensouda, Head of Mission, The Gambia high Commission, UK&I
- EFatimata Dia, Ambassador of Senegal to the UK&I
- EGurly T. Gibson-Schwarz, Ambassador of Liberia to the UK&I
- HerExcellency Josephine Gauld, British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof the United States of America to Sierra Leone
- Headof the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone
- GeneralConsul of Canada in Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof China to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Germany to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Lebanon to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Iran to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Brazil to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Sweden to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Libya to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Egypt to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Cuba to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Guinea to Sierra Leone
- Ambassadorof Liberia to Sierra Leone
- HighCommissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Sierra Leone
- HighCommissioner of Ghana to Sierra Leone
- HighCommissioner of The Gambia to Sierra Leone
- GeneralConsul of Italy in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul-General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul-General of Ireland in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul-General of Japan in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul-General of India to Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Senegal in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Switzerland in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Syria in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Turkey in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Mali in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Ukraine in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Romania in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Norway in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Hungary in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of France in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Belgium in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of The Netherlands in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Spain in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Serbia in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Austria in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Denmark in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Russia in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of Malaysia in Sierra Leone
- HonoraryConsul of South Africa in Sierra Leone
- CivilSociety Movement – Sierra Leone (CSM – SL)
- MediaReform Coordinating Group of Sierra Leone (MRCG)
- SierraLeone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO)
- Civilrights Defenders – Sierra Leone
- NationalElections Watch (NEW) – Sierra Leone
- Campaignfor Good Governance (CGG) – Sierra Leone
- Women’sForum – Sierra Leone
- NetworkMovement for Justice and Development (NMJD)
- SierraLeone Legal Aid Board
- Faith-Basedand Interfaith Organizations – (Interreligious Council of Sierra Leone)
- Councilof Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL)
- FourahBay College – University of Sierra Leone
- Instituteof Governance Reform (IGR)
- YouthPartnership for Peace and Development (YPPD)
- Children’sForum Network
- Anti-CorruptionCommission (ACC) – Sierra Leone
- AwokoNewspaper – Sierra Leone
- LibertyTV Online – Sierra Leone
- RadioDemocracy 1 FM Station – Sierra Leone
- TheNew York Times
- TheWashington Post
- TheUSAÂ Today
- TheCable News Network (CNN)
- TheMicroSoft National Broadcast Corporation (MSNBC)
- TheFox News
- TheAssociated Press
- ThomsonReuters
- TheNational Public Radio (NPR)
- TheBrookings Institution
- TheHeritage Foundation
- TheCenter For American Progress
- TheNational Association For The Advancement Of Colored People (NAACP)
- TheAmerican Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- TheMoveOn
- TheDemocratic National Committee
- TheRepublican National Committee
- TheEMILY’s List
- TheBritish Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
- TheSky News
- Al Jazeera
- TheIndependent Television (ITV)
- TheTimes
- TheFinancial Times
- TheGuardian
- TheDaily Telegraph