By Ragan M. Conteh
Parliamentary Committee on appointment and Public Services has vetted the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IG), Ambrose Michael Sovula.
The vetting took place at the committee room in parliament.
During the interview, members of parliament observed that the date of birth is not mentioned in the document submitted by the IG designate.
Hon. Kandeh Yumkella, Leader of National Grand Coalition (NGC) said the proposed IG would be holding a portfolio crucial to the strengthening democracy in Sierra Leone.
The constitution of Sierra Leone and the international treaties, Hon Yumkellah went on, gave right to peaceful demonstrations and processions.
It is against the backdrop of strengthening the country’s democracy through professional policing that Hon Yumkella asked the IG designate to express his views on the “relevant issue.”
The country’s political tension is another factor Hon Yumkella did not lose sight of as he questioned the nominated IG about the protection he would offer to voters from violence.
Hon Yumkellah’s questioning of the IG designate could not be divorced from what he referred to as police brutality which, he said had taken root in the country’s politics.
He cited the recent Amnesty International, the global human rights watchdog, report that “greatly” indicted police for the period of 2014 to 2018.
Considering the global reports and the country’s security realities, Hon. Yumkellah was concerned about the improvement of police professionalism in Sierra Leone.
The Leader of Opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) Party in Parliament, Hon. Chernoh Maju Bah said the proposed IG Sovula was lucky as opposition members would not attend his vetting.
“What happened in the Well of Parliament when MP’s were forcefully removed, beaten up and teargas fired at APC supporters, the party headquarters vandalised are issues that are still fresh in the mind of the opposition,” Hon. Bah recounted.
Several MPs, especially on the side of the opposition discredited the police personnel for their unprofessional conduct although labelled as ‘Force for Good.’
In his response the IG designate, Ambrose Sovula pointed out that he was in the Northern Province where he said to have handled security problems amicably.
“If approved, I will ensure a level playing field for all political parties and every one in executing their duties. In terms of demonstrations, he will ensure that I dialogue with intended protesters to agree on how the police will help the protesters,” the IG designate assured.