An invitation letter by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Netherlands served on President Julius Maada Bio, few days ago, has left many Sierra Leoneans wondering who will Bio hand over to the gallows.
Created by the Rome Statute, 1998, the ICC has unlimited jurisdiction in respect of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The letter purports to discuss with President Bio about surrendering those who committed the crimes. The invitation was conveyed to the President in a letter dated 18th August, 2018.
“The ICC Chief Prosecutor respectfully requests the opportunity of a bilateral meeting between Karim Kahn and President Julius Maada Bio on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly meeting,” a portion of the letter reads.
What will form the main points of the discussion is yet unknown but cannot be divorced from gross human rights abuse in Sierra Leone especially extrajudicial killings during protests and peace time. Bio is expected to cooperate with the ICC in any investigation to be embarked upon by the court.
After Sierra Leone’s civil war in 2002, late President Ahmed Tejan Kabba handed over Hinga Norman, Allieu Kondewai and Moinina Fofanah for war crimes to the defunct Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) which brought to justice those who bear the ‘greatest responsibility’ for serious human rights abuses committed during the war.
This action kept Kabba’s head above waters. The court came into being by Security Council Resolution 1315 following a request by President Kabba to the United Nations.
The three convicts held de facto command and control over the operations of the ‘Kamajors,’ a group of local warriors which was a key constituent of the Civil Defence Force. (CDF) was formed ostensibly to defend the country from rebels as soldiers were suspected of disloyalty.
Norman was a Coordinator of the Kamajors, while Allieu Kondewai and Moinina Fofanah were Chief Priest and Director of War respectively. Although their purpose was genuine, they committed serious war crimes and crimes against unity during the war.
Unrestrained by laws of war, the Kamajors unlawfully killed, sexually enslaved and raped women and girls, looted, pillaged and burned down dwelling houses among other crimes.
To create deterrent, the war leaders were arrested, tried and convicted. Similar crimes have taken place under President Julius Maada Bio’s watch. Many Sierra Leoneans particularly in the North-West regions were tortured, killed, raped and most of their rights, civil liberties and freedoms abused.
The killings occurred, most times, during protests with August 10, 2022 being the most notable. It was confirmed by security agencies that 31 people including six police officers were fatally injured in a protest that ended in a day. Although an investigation was launched, no one was brought to book.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Lahai Lawrence Leema appears to have been a key perpetrator of human rights abuses as he failed to show up at the Special Investigation Committee (SIC), but Bio did not take immediate action not until later.
Leema did not appear when invited by the investigation committee. The only punishment meted to Leema was dropping him out of his deputy ministerial post. At the moment, it is yet unclear whether Leema will be handed over to the ICC for trial.
Arguably, the killing of inmates at Pa Demba Road Correctional Centre is the worst human rights disaster in decades. It was in the morning of April, 2019 that the inmates woke up to a deafening gunshots allegedly fired by State House guards. To date, no one has been brought to justice.
Accusing fingers however are being pointed at former SLPP (Sierra Leone People’s Party) Women’s Leader, Fatmata Sawaneh and Lahai Leema for masterminding the Pa Demba Road shoot out although they fight hard to maintain their innocence. It is also hoped that killings in Makeni, Tombo, Lunsar and Freetown here will form part of the ICC’s case.
In Makeni city in the Northern capital, about 20 people were reportedly killed by security forces, and the number of those killed in other parts of the country remain unknown unless an independent investigation is conducted. Lives were also taken away at a time very close to elections. APC supporters were targetted for political violence in Koinadugu district in the North of Sierra Leone.
A reliable source in Koinadugu said SLPP supporters attacked APC members in an open confrontation. The attacks, according to a source, came after the NGC (National Grand Coalition) Chairman in Koinadugu declared for the APC alongside other NGC members.
Teargas canisters and live rounds were fired by police in what appears a restoration of order. As the firing ensued, residents in Koinadugu spent the day in locked rooms to escape the heat and smoke of the canisters. It was also reported that some APC supporters were arrested and detained.
Similar political violence also took place in Bonthe district in the South where APC members were also allegedly physically attacked.
A former APC councillor in Bonthe district, Daddy Avondor said they were assaulted by SLPP supporters while canvassing voters. One of their supporters, he went on, was also arrested and detained at the police station.
However, no SLPP member or supporter was arrested although they were accused of perpetrating the violence. Avondor further explained that he and other APC executive officials tried hard to secure the release of their colleague, but police refused to grant bail citing “order from above.” He showed how frustrating it was on that day.
“Our APC supporters were attacked and injured, but none of the perpetrators was arrested. Instead, the APC supporters who were victims of the assault were threatened and intimidated by the police,” the APC councillor Lamented. Since the police did not grant bail to the APC detainee, Avondor went on, they returned home peacefully without embarking on any reprisal attacks.
In the following morning, APC officials went again to the police station and negotiated bail, and suspect was however released on strict conditions. Although the police appeared to have been partial in their duty, APC members however put up with the situation to allow peace to reign.
However, the Bonthe district APC executive called on government, the international community (EU, AU, ECOWAS, US, UK etc) to closely monitor actions of the police before, during and after the elections since police unprofessionalism is fuelling political tension in almost every part of the country.
Tonkolili district in the Northern region was also subjected to political violence for which accusing fingers were pointed at members of the ruling party. Police were also accused of dragging their feet to arrest SLPP supporters and bring them to justice.
Their negligence made some disgruntled men to dash for the police station forcing police officers to seek haven elsewhere. The chaos had died down, but deep grudge remain. Pujehun district in the Southern region also share similar fate with Bonthe, Tonkolili and Koinadugu in respect of sporadic political violence against APC members and supporters.
The APC Chairlady in Pujehun district told this press that dozens of their supporters were ambushed and attacked by SLPP operatives when 500 women declared for APC. Massa Rogers, Dr Samura Kamara’s wife, hails from Pujehun, and residents there were hopeful of a first lady.
Many SLPP hardliners in Pujehun do not share that view as they prefer a continuity of Bio’s regime. Dozens of those attacked were taken to Pujehun government hospital and other health facilities for medical treatment.
The matter was reported to the police station for necessary action, but nothing came out if it. In Bo city, South of the country, Cecilia Ngobeh’s house was set ablaze destroying property running into millions of Leones. At the moment, Sierra Leoneans hold their breath to see who will be handed over to the court.
