The police have been on top gear in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown showing their strength owing to threats of demonstration to be staged by a group Sierra Leoneans led by faceless ring leaders.
The armed patrols assure peace and law-abiding citizens of going about their normal businesses. It will also help the police to find and stop would-be protesters before they hit.
The planned protest is being called ahead of the completion of the election probe by Tripartite Committee set up in October, last year.
Armed patrols are going on in several neighborhoods in the capital city suspected to be gray areas or flashpoint of violence. Congo Water, Portee, Calaba Town, Wellington and other communities have seen much of the police patrols owing tobad experiences in recent times.
It was at Portee community in Eastern Freetown that police recorded the first casualty during August 10, 2022 protest, but others called it a riot as a result of the destruction of lives and property. Owing to sustained police patrols, the communities are now peaceful.
Police intelligence systems have been activated and uniformed men are ready to embark on sting operations based on tip offs to keep the people safe.
At the moment, it is clear that danger is underway and the security forces are on to gear ready to crackdown on the bad guys.
Fearing further crackdowns, parents in Freetown have called on their children to refrain from taking to the streets but respect law and order to keep heads above waters.
Several parents who spoke to Nightwatch Press said their kids should not take further risks for politicians whose children are attending good schools abroad where they live comfortable lives.
“No son or daughter of a politician has protested against government but incite less privileged youth to challenge the authorities putting their safety at risk,” one of the parents vented out her frustration.
Looking back at recent protests or demonstrations, the parents said none succeeded as the security forces had been on top of the situation.
The police and the army have always prevailed in all their encounters with protesters including November 26, 2023 attacks.
It was the situation in August 10, 2022 when a group of protesters took to the street against what they called “high cost of living.”
Many of the protesters carried placards demanding the resignation of President Julius Maada Bio, a move that was widely seen as undemocratic.
Other protesters took violent steps by setting ablaze police stations and government buses leaving the security forces with no option but to respond to the danger. Although six police officers were fatally injured, the protesters bore more brunt as many were arrested, tried and convicted for public order-related offences. They are still behind bars although most have got back their freedom after a prison break in November last year.
The runaway prisoners still grapple with protracted illnesses and are in need of medical help.
Many homes and families were shattered for life as most of the deceased were sole bread winners, but their decision to go in conflict with law without cause cost them highly.
Similar ugly situation also reared its head in September, last year, three months after June polls when protesters took to the street calling for either a rerun of the elections or President Bio steps aside.
The September protest was not about a high cost of living but anchored on allegations of election rigging, a factor affecting democracies in various parts of the world.
No election in the world is 100 percent accurate even in advanced democracies according to political commentators.
In the running battles between the protesters and forces of law and order, no protester prevailed as the security forces were on top of situation.
The defeated protesters melted into thin air but were chased in their hideouts, arrested and charged to court, and security was restored.
Even when well-armed gunmen stormed the city in November, last year during the early hours of a cool Sunday, they were repelled and several waves of arrest were effected for treason, murder and other related offences.
Dozens currently stand trial while others have been convicted and slammed with lengthy jail terms, and police action will also remain the same for those who will go out to wreak havoc between 19th and 24th June, 2024. Proposed move by the protesters to take to the streets is a response to what they referred to as “electoral irregularities” although an election probe is ongoing to establish the truth of such claims.
The threats of protest come at a time the Tripartite Committee is about to publish their findings and recommendations about what future elections should look like.
In reality, it is worthwhile for the protesters to exercise patience and restraint and keep also keep the peace as the probe is at an end.