Chernor Maju Bah, an active member of the main opposition, All People’s Congress (APC) has escaped from political violence in Sierra Leone after the 2018 elections. He is being hunted by supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) to kill him. His uncle, who is running mate to the APC flag-bearer faces similar threats.
The SLPP youth made the threat on the eve of the announcement of the run-off election in April, 2018.
Junior Bio, younger brother of President Julius Maada Bio, who contested a parliamentary seat with Chernor Maju Bah’s uncle in one of the constituencies in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital threatened to kill APC supporters particularly if SLPP won the election.
Chernor Maju Bah has been singled out for the political threats and violence. His whereabouts at the moment remains unknown, but his uncle says he is seeking refuge in Australia. 2018 presidential and parliamentary elections was marred with political intimidation, threats and violence.
When President Bio was declared winner of the Presidential run-off on 4th April, 2018, former ministers and senior government officials were subjected to intimidation and attacks. The homes of APC supporters including Chernor Maju Bah were attacked and vandalised by Junior Bio’s supporters. Chernor Maju Bah’s family members were forced to flee in his absence.
This press found that the attacks on Chernor Maju Bah were reprisal as Junior Bio claimed to have been attacked by APC supporters.