By Ayodele Deen Cole
The lives and properties of many people in the country are on the balance, currently. This is due to the increasing number of public protests and riots being recorded by the Sierra Leone Police (SKP) on a weekly basis.
Currently not a week goes by, in Sierra Leone, without the SLP being called upon to quell public disturbances and dissent. Some of these unrests are politically motivated, while a good number of them have to do with the existing economic and social state of the country.
The most recent lawlessness and disturbances took place in Kambia district, Mile 38, Lunsar and the capital city of Freetown. Nearly all of these public disturbances and dissents ended up with the destruction of lives, and properties worth millions of Leones.
Since the start of this year, the SLP has arrested scores of suspected rioters across the country. They are currently being prosecuted by either the Magistrate Court or the High Court. They have also issued warrants of arrest for several other people suspected of organizing these riots.
Due to this trend, the National Youth League Secretary General of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, Alie Conteh, has raised serious concern over the high spate of lawlessness across the country. This is a situation which, he noted, is a cause of concern for private and public investors, who may want to invest their monies in the country and also for the forthcoming 2023 national elections.
Speaking to this press in an exclusive interview, Alie Conteh said the rise in the incidences of lawlessness in the country is due to the style of political governance being exhibited by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
He told this press that the current government is using their political advantage to intimidate people, adding that most of the public disturbances are ignited by people’s refusal to succumb to the intimidation tactics of the SLPP.
The APC Youth Scribe also stated that another issue causing the increase in lawlessness in the country is the commercial motorbike riders, otherwise known as Okada or Kekeh riders, who are being left to ply in all areas of the central business district without the surveillance and control of any security officers.
According to Alie Conteh, most of these public disturbances emanate from the use of force by the SLP. He also cited minor tensions between political or local authorities and youths, which normally turn violent and ugly as soon as the SLP arrived.
As a way of curbing the high rate of lawlessness, the APC NYL Secretary General called on the ruling SLPP government and the SLP to be law abiding, and respect the basic human rights of each individual living in the country. He said that, before now, the country was rated as one of the most peaceful nations in the continent, but the country has lost that status in just two years of the SLPP rule.
Alie Conteh further cited statistics in some latest global security and governance report, noting that, as it stands now, the international community is in a worried state over the present governance record of the ruling SLPP.
“Security and justice have received the lowest rating for the country,” Alie Conteh said.
While responding to the issue of increased lawlessness in the country, the Deputy Director of Media at the SLP, ASP Samuel Conteh, expressed dissatisfaction over the high number of reported public disturbances across the country. He told this press that the cause of most of these ugly situations has political undertones, which is making it very difficult for them to investigate and find a peaceful settlement over the issue.
However, he told this press that, despite the increased reports of disturbances, the SLP are on top of the situation, adding that they are now collaborating with all stakeholders to make sure that the country is peaceful for investors and the forthcoming 2023 national general elections.
Alie Conteh also disclosed that relationship between the SLP and members of the public is at present fragile, adding that they are working very hard to make sure that it becomes stronger and better before the commencement of the 2023 national elections.