By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a recent exchange on Twitter, the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, responded to allegations raised by Dr Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, the 2023 Presidential candidate for the All Peoples Congress (APC), regarding purported unwarranted visits by armed security forces to residences of top brass APC members.
According to Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara’s Twitter post on Thursday, March 7, 2024, he expressed deep concern over “unwarranted visits” by heavily armed military and police personnel to the homes of key stakeholders of the APC party.
He emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles, rule of law and human rights, urging local authorities and international bodies to intervene and ensure proper adherence to legal protocols.
Two specific APC strongmen were named by Dr Samura Kamara as victims: Hon. Kemoh Sesay and Rtd Major Palo Conteh. The houses in question are situated at Aberdeen in the West End of Freetown. These houses were seized by the Anti Corruption Commission pending investigation in the wake of the recommendations of the Commissions of Inquiry. Whether such was tantamount to confiscation is yet to be known.
However, in a response by the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, he expressed regret and stated, “I am sorry, sir. I think you’ve been misinformed.” He clarified that the Police visited houses that had been confiscated by the State as per the completed Commission of Inquiry (COI) for some ECOWAS-State security activities. The Chief Minister emphasized that those actions were not targeting opposition members and asserted that the Government had no intention to do so.
What is not clear to this medium is that if the houses had been confiscated then the former owners or their relatives should not be occupying them and therefore they would not have faced “unwarranted visits”.
It must be noted that the exchange comes amid heightened political tensions in Sierra Leone and underscores the importance of transparency, accountability and adherence to due process in safeguarding democratic values. While Dr Samura Kamara’s allegations raised concerns about potential misuse of state power, Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, response sought to provide clarity and reassurance regarding the Government’s actions.
The differing perspectives presented in this Twitter exchange highlight the complexities of political discourse and the challenges of maintaining trust and confidence in governance, particularly in contexts where perceptions of bias or intimidation may arise.
As Sierra Leone navigates its political landscape, it remains crucial for all stakeholders to engage constructively uphold the rule of law, and respect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations. Only through such collective efforts can the country progress towards a just and equitable society.
