The police in the Eastern region have denied the issuance of a clearance for an event to be held in Kenema City that could have turned into a rally in support of Ambassador Alie Kabba. This abrupt disruption and disregard of the right to peaceful assembly by citizens is being seen by most grassroots supporters of the prominent SLPP flagbearer contender, Dr. Alie Kabba as politically motivated.

“Some public officials are so short-sighted they seem willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces. This isn’t just a cliché—it’s a troubling reality, given the irreparable damage and self-serving actions that some state officers inflict on the public good in pursuit of narrow self-interest,” a key member of the Organizers fumed to Nightwatch newspaper last Friday.

“Today, we call out the appalling behavior of two senior police officials: the LUC of Kenema, Augustine A. Konneh, and AIG East, Andrew Mustapha Kamara, who appear to be deliberately working to sabotage a peaceful event organized by diverse SLPP grassroots groups in Kenema. This event, set for Friday after Jummah prayers, was intended as a show of popular support for the Government’s “Big 5” Agenda and a call for party unity at all levels,” Isata Tommy, a grassroots support group leader stated.

A considerable number of SLPP youths in Kenema District feel bitter and appalled by what they have collectively described as “an egregious display of impunity” by the senior police officer core of the East and are now openly expressing their frustrations over these two officials’ “obstructive, disrespectful and discouraging actions.”

According to the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the planned Friday event, initially, the head of the police in Kenema City, LUC Konneh appeared open to the event with no conditions attached; but when it became evident that Ambassador Alie Kabba, a key SLPP member and prominent supporter of President Bio and the Government’s “Big” 5 Agenda would be attending, he began imposing obstacles “on what is otherwise a legal, civic activity,” he maintained, revealing that Konneh suddenly claimed he lacked the authority to approve the clearance and that it required approval from the AIG East, Andrew Mustapha Kamara. The AIG, in turn, insisted he needed “orders from above” in Freetown.

Now, the grassroots supporters — who have already mobilized, printed banners and T-shirts, are left in limbo. They see this as “a deliberate attempt to undermine a positive initiative” simply because local officials are yielding to narrow-minded political pressure.

“These actions prioritize petty agendas over the government’s larger goals, casting a shadow on the uniform these officers wear and demoralizing young people who want to support their government. This behavior is not only disappointing but counterproductive, alienating young people who are eager to be partners in progress for both Kenema and Sierra Leone as a whole. By putting up roadblocks, these officials risk alienating government supporters, turning enthusiasm into disillusionment,” the Chairman asserted.

Small-minded politics and bootlicking among officials must not hinder the civic engagement of SLPP supporters.

“We call on the LUC and AIG to issue the police clearance and stop obstructing this positive civic gathering. In Sierra Leone and other democracies, citizens should be able to organize freely, especially when it’s for the good of the nation,” the Chairman has appealed.