By Foday Moriba Conteh
Human rights activists have condemned the alleged wrongful detention of young individuals accused of orchestrating the violent protests that erupted across Sierra Leone, including Freetown, on August 10, 2022. Social media posts have identified certain individuals, including Foika Alusine, as being involved in the unrest. However, investigations suggest that these accusations are politically motivated, aimed at silencing perceived opponents of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government.
The situation has worsened with reports of vigilante groups, allegedly aligned with the SLPP, targeting supporters of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC). Unverified reports of extrajudicial killings have spread fear across the nation. Among these incidents, a well-known APC supporter in the Northern city of Makeni was allegedly shot dead, sparking concerns over political violence.
One of the flashpoints of the August 10 protests was Peacock Farm, located in the Wellington area on the east end of Freetown. The area witnessed intense confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. Young protesters, voicing frustration over economic hardships and calling for political change, erected roadblocks and set tires ablaze. In response, police fired tear gas and, in some cases, live bullets, leading to several fatalities.
In the aftermath of the violence, a resident of Peacock Farm, Foika Alusine, was accused by a group of SLPP supporters of leading the protests and calling for the resignation of President Julius Maada Bio. Armed with sticks and machetes, these irate youths attempted to storm Alusine’s residence with the intent to harm him.
The Sierra Leone Police have since declared Alusine and others wanted, accusing them of being among the ringleaders of the August 10 protest. A confidential source disclosed that suspicious activity has been reported near Alusine’s home on three occasions, fueling fears that vigilante groups may be searching for him and two others accused of killing a police officer during the unrest.
While some individuals involved in the August 10 protests have been arrested, tried, and sentenced, there are reports of others who have mysteriously disappeared. A relative of Alusine expressed concern about the rising political tensions in the country, especially as the 2023 general elections approach. The family member advised that those accused, including Alusine, may need to consider leaving the country for their safety.
As of this report, the whereabouts of Foika Alusine remain unknown.
