In the Aftermath Of August 10 Riot… Police Declares Lamin Koroma Wanted

August 15, 2022

By Abdulrahman Kamara

According to police sources, one Lamin Koroma has been declared wanted in respect of the August 10 riot that claimed the lives of 6 police officers and 35 civilians. The police say that some of these wanted persons are known operatives of the main opposition party, believed to be behind the riot. Most of the suspects are said to live in the eastern part of the city of Freetown, as that part was where the riot was heavily concentrated. Lamin Koroma is believed to reside at 2 Wright Lane, off Fourah Bay Road, eastern Freetown.

However, investigations mounted by this medium say that the targeting of main opposition party members and supporters was as a result of perception by the government that they were fueling protesters to protest against the high cost of living. Our investigation also revealed that were extra-judicial killings of known supporters and members of the main opposition party by the security forces, who stormed their homes and shot them at point blank range.

According to our source, Lamin Koroma is the son of one Mr Lamin Koroma, Chairman of the APC in Constituency 121, and on the day of the riot, some security officers stormed the home of Lamin Koroma and met his father in the house with his wife, Madam Taba Koroma, daughter, Hawa Koroma, and one of his sons, Abu Kamara. Our source further disclosed that as the police tried to drag Lamin’s father out of the house, the above mentioned family members then tried to stop them, and in the process, they beat and shot his father, shot dead his sister and one of his brother.

Lamin is said to have been out of the house, and was informed about the attack on his family. Returning home, he discovered the remains of his family in the house in a pool of blood. Angered by this, he decided to go out and tell people about what the security forces have done to his family, and in the process, he was chased by the police, but unfortunately, he fell down and was captured and beaten mercilessly by the police and taken to a container, where he was locked up with other youths caught by the police.

Our sources further disclosed that some angry youths got wind of the arrest and detention of these youths in the container, and they then stormed the area in their numbers, broke open the container and set free the youths. Lamin is said to have made good his escape and rescued by one of his friend. But as the government had declared a curfew, and the ensuing raiding of homes of known main opposition party homes and hangouts, Lamin is said to have escaped with his friend and gone into hiding, and has since not returned.

To make matters worse, the President, on his return from his international engagement in the UK, told the BBC and the nation that the opposition were behind the attacks, and described them as terrorists, a statement that was widely condemned by both local and international partners.

This statement gave more impetus to the security forces to target main opposition party members, including the cold blooded shooting down at opposition party regional strong hold which northern Sierra Leone (Makeni).

The killings that created tension in the country, as main opposition members saw that as direct attempt to target them by the government with the use of the security forces.
However, as we go to press, the whereabouts of Lamin Koroma are yet unknown.

Police Launches Manhunt for Abdulai Sankoh & Two Others

August 15, 2022

By Frances Wright

The 10th August 2022 will go down as a very ugly chapter in Sierra Leone’s history as violent protests erupted in the capital city of Freetown and other parts in the Northern Province, politically considered to be the stronghold of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party. Although these protests will later on be interpreted along political lines, however, by all indications the prevailing high cost of living, subjecting many to substandard lifestyles, actually catalyzed people to venture out and vent their pent up anger. As far as they are concerned the incompetence and ineptitude, on the part of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), to judiciously handle the economy has led to extreme hardship never encountered before.

What started as something very small really turned out to be a serious demonstration propelled by frustration and anger as the number of protesters, mainly dominated by young people, grew in sheer size, displaying anti-government placards and chanting slogans depicting having no confidence in the President and the entire Government.

However, it was not really a field day for the protesters as there were security personnel, made up of the Police and the Military, deployed at strategic locations with the main objective of warding them off. As the situation became very tense, with time elapsing fast, the security forces initially fired teargas canisters in the air geared towards dispersing the violent crowds that were advancing from various angles, especially in Freetown, towards the city centre. Live bullets later followed with some fatalities.

Government reaction was swift and tainted in anger against the protesters in the aftermath of the incident . Visibly angry, President Julius Maada Bio, who had to cut short an overseas engagement to return home, condemned the protesters, calling them terrorists and vowed that a Commission of Inquiry will be instituted and anyone found wanting will face the full force of the law.

The Police are also conducting an investigation amidst carrying out arrests of individuals identified as the main brains behind the protests. For those arrested during the protests, it was disclosed that they will soon be charged to court.

During a Police Press Briefing, emphasis was placed by the Police of the necessity to look out for three individuals, namely Abdulai Sankoh, Mary Juana and Augustine Turay, whom they believe have a lot to reveal. According to the Police, they are more interested in getting hold of Abdulai Sankoh for the simple reason that, from their intelligence, he was mainly the one who was not only coordinating the protest but was also inciting others to put up a stiff resistance against the security personnel leading to some officers being harmed or injured in the process of the protest.

One of our reporters, who have been monitoring the situation, stated that Sankoh’s house has been raided twice by Police personnel ransacking the whole place and leaving threatening remarks.

What has made the situation become very alarming is the fact that there are certain vigilante groups, said to be made up of supporters of the ruling SLPP Government, going around and arming those considered to be diehard supporters of the opposition APC Party.

These incidents have even become very fearful and dreadful to an extent that it has created panic in some communities especially when news break out that a fanatic supporter of the APC in the Northern Provincial City of Makeni was identified and shot at amidst other unconfirmed incidences of similar nature.

Up to the moment of going to Press it has not been confirmed, as alleged, whether or not Abdulai Sankoh, Mary Juana, and Augustine Turay were really working in the interest of the main opposition APC Party. Their decision to vent their anger because of difficult economic times, through a protest, resonates with many who think that things must change for the better instead of allowing it to degenerate into a full-blown crisis.

However, the fact remains that the Police have mounted a serious manhunt for them. If what is muted in some quarters is anything to believe in, a really gloomy future awaits them. This is because if arrested, as some have attested, they will be taken to a notorious detention center, tortured to make confessions, charged to court, and most probably sentenced to jail terms exceeding five years. As the situation continues to unfold, for now the three are at large.

Positive Steps Must be Taken to Prevent the Recurrence of the 10th August Insurrection

August 15, 2022

Anti-Government Protest Leaves Some Dead & Others Seriously Wounded

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Various individuals and institutions, including diplomats and Non- Governmental Organizations, have unequivocally condemned the ugly 10th August, 2022 protest that erupted in the East End of Freetown, Western Rural area, particularly Waterloo and in some parts of the Northern Province that claimed the lives of security personnel and civilians as well as leading to the wanton destruction of Police Stations, the burning down of two Government buses with some looting taking place.

What has been so interesting in the condemnation messages is that nearly all have been calling for a dialogue to take place between the Government and those said to be behind the protest.

Interestingly, how this could take place when the Government is claiming that there has been no known individual or a particular group that has come forward to state that they are responsible. To reference the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rado Swaray, there are “Faceless Politicians” behind the dastardly acts that occurred.

On the contrary, the main opposition APC Party has, in a Press Statement, dissociated itself from it.

For now all that we know is that a Sierra Leonean by the name of Adebayor, residing in Holland, has, via Social Media audio messages calling on Sierra Leoneans, especially the business class to embark on a three day protest commencing on the 8th August, 2022, with a two day sit at home action culminating in a nationwide protest on the third day. The said Adebayor dubbed it the People’s Power Protest (PPP).

It must be noted that having gained a foothold in the opposition frontiers, especially among followers of the main APC opposition party, with his incendiary messages against the ruling SLPP led Government, headed by President Julius Maada Bio, the majority of the gullible populace that have been keenly listening to his audio messages, on a daily basis, consider Adebayor as their liberator, the embedded Voice of the Voiceless to such an extent that they have been idolizing him, believing hook, line and sinker the divisive political messages he has been spewing.

In a country where the illiteracy rate is high and many not properly knowledgeable about global trends and governance issues ,any political shenanigan or misinformation churned out by a propagandist, who has the ability to sway emotions, will have many falling for it. And it is this political short sightedness that had been rife among the masses that Adebayor has been skillfully exploiting to create the impression amongst the vast majority that the SLPP Government is not doing anything better to improve the standards of living of the masses.

Coinciding with the global economic crisis, which the majority in this country are oblivious of or may simply dismiss, Adebayor’s propaganda messages and hate speeches seemed to fit and sit well with many.

It therefore came as no surprise that his call was yielded to despite previous warnings by the Police and other entities to refrain from any protest action. As was stated the resultant effect was loss of lives and properties.

Though he has denied being aligned to the APC Party, however, any sensible person who has listened to his audio messages will definitely conclude that he has a leaning towards that very party. His ranting are undoubtedly pro-APC, very much sympathetic towards the party’s cause.

It must be registered at this juncture that as far as the current situation stands ,against the Government’s stance that the protesters are terrorists, it will definitely be very difficult if not impossible for any form of dialogue to take place, especially as no individual or group will like to be associated with the unfortunate events of that day.

What we should be bothered with now is the way forward. How to ensure that there is no recurrence of the ugly incident. But before that, it is important to know the alleged causative factors of the protest.

Some have attributed it to high cost of living. However, that may sound hollow because at this material moment Sierra Leone is not the only country that is facing harsh economic times as even some of advanced countries were are yearning to become are feeling the pinch.

Indeed, amidst the difficult economic times State and Non-State actors have been making stringent moves to cushion the effects.

Others have mentioned youth unemployment but in a country where the vast majority of young people don’t want to be innovative, are reluctant to work hard to make a living only to resort to criminal activities to maintain unhealthy lifestyles; nothing productive is expected from them. As vulnerable as they are, politicians easily manipulate them to attain their selfish desires or ambitions and that was exactly transpired.

And it was the vast majority of these young people who jumped on the streets in the guise of protesting against harsh economic times when in actual fact they have been brainwashed by politicians to go on the rampage with the aim of unseating the Government or make it very unpopular.

Besides, their other intention was to go on a looting spree but met stiff resistance by the Police. Those using them for political gains, by trying to make the sitting Government unpopular, were in the minority on that day and the young people who out were not politically charged but rather they were in a looting mode.

The way forward could be beefing up the communication channels by ensuring that there is not a long communication gap between the President and the citizenry. In a country where only the few listen to news it will only be a positive move on the part of President Bio to be updating the citizenry about the strides Government is taking in addressing socio-economic issues.

Also, the communication units of the Government must be robustly explaining global trends in ways that the vast majority will come to realize that economic hardship is not only peculiar to Sierra Leone. The Ministry of Information and Communications must be commended in that direction as they already embarked on such outreach sensitizations drives but much need to be done. Positive Government interventions must be repeatedly explained for more people to understand the strides being made.

Furthermore, those whom thorough investigation proves were deeply involved in acts of vandalism must be made to pay the price for their actions according to the dictates of the law. That will serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to do the same.

Government must also prevail on the International Community to make it illegal for nationals of one country residing abroad to incite others back home in a destructive way to create tensions and erode the peace.

That hypocrisy in international relations must be brought to the fore with the West preaching the consolidation of democracy on the one hand and on the other hand providing safe havens for saboteurs, dissidents and instigators.

Steps must be taken to monitor the Social Media in order to know those really fanning the flames of protest and take drastic action against them for dividing the nation. Already, the steps taken recently to put in place the cyber law and making it workable was a step in the right direction in that respect.

August 10th Protest Turned Deadly

August 15, 2022

By Mohamed K. Turay

Most people predicted this was going to happen, but not as bloody and deadly as it turned out to be. The high cost of living in Sierra Leone has really made people angry and frustrated over the lack of efforts from the Bio administration to control the high price of basic commodities such a bread, rice, etc. Sierra Leoneans have been on the edge for too long and it only required a little spark which eventually came from a Sierra Leonean activist popularly known as ‘Adebayor’, who is residing in The Netherlands.

August 10th 2022 was the date that was set for the protests, calling for people to come out and express their frustration over the high cost of living which most people believed would have influenced the government of President Julius Maada Bio who was abroad seeking medical attention. People took to the street, mostly in opposition strongholds across the country, calling for the resignation of President Bio.

The Police were called in and sent out to disperse people. Tear gas was fired, but it didn’t work and things became intensified. Eyewitnesses say the police started firing live rounds of ammunition into crowds, killing protesters in the process. Some were arrested and severely beaten before being whisked away. Protesters then attacked police officers, using machetes, and six police officers ended up losing their lives.

At Wellington, in the east end part of Freetown, protesters were seen attacking two police officers in uniforms with machetes, where they ended up losing their lives. Videos of these bloody and deadly events of August 10th 2022 across the country started circulating, revealing clearer information on what’s had happened on that fateful day.

Four protesters, Jeremiah Sesay, Abubakarr Bangura, Abdulai Kamara and Musa Mansaray were later arrested for the death of the two police officers killed at Wellington. Four others, Mark Conteh of Barracks Old Road, Ibrahim Kargbo of Mamba Ridge Kissy, Mohamed Sesay of Calaba Town and Lamin Turay of Campbell Street, Wellington are on the run for taking part in the protests.

Eyewitnesses have come forward claiming they have photos and videos of the deadly protest and later identified Ibrahim Kargbo of Mamba Ridge, Kissy who they say was wearing a black T-shirt and a pair of Jean trousers right in the middle of the group of youths that joined the protests.

As the youth Leader for the main opposition party in the Mamba Ridge community, Ibrahim Kargbo was alleged to be one of the ring leaders who led hundreds of youths to the protests. Another eyewitness also confirmed that armed policemen raided his house on the night of August 10th in which he managed to flee the scene but his wife was seriously beaten.

Information about the deaths of the six police officer who lost their lives in the protest quickly spread across Freetown, with ruling party supporters pointing fingers at opposition party supporters they recognized to have taken part in the protests and eventual deaths of the six police officers killed that day. The east end of Freetown which was the heart of the August 10th protests saw the brunt of a police crackdown, the breaking down of doors where supporters of the main opposition party live with their families.

Many arrests of opposition supporters were made, with others shot in their homes, while many more narrowly escaped death from the hands of angry ruling party supporters with machetes and the guns that accompanied the police.
In the northern city of Makeni, police rounded up supporters of the main opposition of the All People’s Congress, including social media blogger and Chairman of the opposition group called TAGMEN, Evangelist Samson and some of his followers. Evangelist Sampson was shot and killed by police at close range and this killing of such a popular blogger brought so much anger and frustration in the country.

The military were later called in to assist the police, which was followed by intense raids on opposition supporters who had taken part in the protests. This has seen many of the members and supporters of the APC gone into hiding and posters of wanted persons involved in the protests and those police believed to have taken part in the killing of police officers displayed in public.
The military presence on the streets increased, and warnings of more arrests and prosecutions of people who would take to the street were made by the police.

The Sierra Leone government believed opposition members were behind these protests and has instituted an inquiry into the events. In a swift response, the Mayor of Freetown, Her Worship, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer of the All People’s Congress was also invited for questioning.
Many political observers believe the crackdown on opposition members who took part in the protests and those believed to have taken part in the killing of six police officers across the country will never stop until what the government believe is sanity and full control is restored.

Alex Showers & Other Declared Wanted for August 10 Protest

August 15, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Various human rights activists in the country have seriously condemned the unlawful and wrongful arrests of young people identified as the real perpetrators of the August 10, 2022, violent protests that erupted in some parts of the country including Freetown, the capital city, as some social media posts have indicated.

However, when this medium decided to undertake a serious investigation into the issue it came out glaringly that in actual fact such false identifications are mainly politically motivated and perpetrated by supporters of the ruling SLPP Government against those considered to be against the political establishment.

What has made the situation become very alarming is the fact that there are certain vigilante groups, said to be made up of supporters of the ruling SLPP Government, going around and clandestinely killing those considered to be diehard supporters of the opposition APC Party.

These frightful extra-judicial killings have even become very fearful and dreadful to an extent that it has created panic in some communities especially when news break out that a fanatic supporter of the APC in the Northern Provincial City of Makeni was identified and shot dead amidst other unconfirmed incidences of similar nature.

Lumpa Waterloo, one of the emerging communities situated in Waterloo was indeed a hot spot during the violent protest as the situation was really tense as the crowd was trying to advance towards the city’s Centre with Police Officers repelling them by firing tear gas canisters and in some cases live bullets.

Young people were seen violently protesting as they believe that the economic hardship has become really unbearable and therefore a political change must take place.

Mounting roadblocks, burning tyres and throwing various missiles against the Police, who in return retaliated by firing teargas to disperse the sporadic crowds that were converging or building up from time to time, the situation really got out of hand as the Police started firing live bullets with some fatalities taking place.

As the situation died down, one of the resident of the community by the name of Alex Showers was accused by some irate youths, believed to belong to the ruling SLPP, as one of the ring leaders of the violent protest who was calling for the resignation of President Julius Maada Bio.

The desperate group of young irate SLPP supporters was seen violently moving towards his house, with some holding sticks, machetes with the objective of physically manhandling him in order to teach him a lesson that he should learn to respect the President and Government of the day.

A reliable source, who intimated this medium on the condition of anonymity, stated that the accused person, Alex Showers, was not even in town when the protest in Freetown occurred. He said that Alex Showers was arrested on the 8th of August 2022 he was arrested and released on 9th August 2022 and the incident took place 10th August 2022.

Besides, it was stated that on three occasions strange voices have been heard, late at night, close to where Alex Showers was residing, speaking in low tones, but upon thorough investigation in the morning hours the owners could not be identified. However, it has been speculated that the voices belong to those who are on the lookout for Alex Showers and two other young men accused of killing a police officer during the August 10 protest.

Although some of those identified, arrested and charged to court for taking part in the August 10th violent protests have been tried in various Magistrate courts, heavily sentenced, there are, however, reports that some people have gone missing for days now.
A relative of Alex Showers, whom one of our reporters spoke with stated that as the political situation in the country continues to become tense with the build up to the 2023 Presidential, Parliamentary and Municipal Elections, it is but advisable for Alex Shower and others accused of involvement in the violent protests to move out of the country.

This was why the family of Alex Showers facilitated his escape to neighboring country Guinea on 11th August 2022.

Police Declare Mohamed Bah Wanted

August 15, 2022

It has emerged last night that twenty six years old Butcher man, Mohamed Bah of No:. 68 Kabala Highway, Timbo, Makeni Town in the Bombali district, Northeast of Sierra Leone has been declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police for his alleged involvement in the August 10th 2022, protest in Makeni Town.

Mohamed Bah who is also the Youth Chairman of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party in Ward 234, Constituency 028, Makeni town has been accused of financing and mobilizing youths to take part in the protest, an accusations he vehemently denied.

Mohamed however denied involvement in the planned protest. He accused SLPP officials that they just wanted to eliminate him because of his alligiance with the APC Party.

Mohamed was invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police in Makeni for questioning in connection with his alleged role in the said protest.

Speaking to journalists at his Mena Hill Office, the civil society activist, Abu Bakar Kamara said as a business man, Mohamed normally goes to neighbouring Guinea to buy cattles especially cows for sale in Makeni.

“On the day in question, Mohamed was out of the country to buy cows when the protest took place. The authorities persuaded Mohamed Bah to leave the APC Party for the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party which he refused. This brought problem for him,” the civil society activist told journalists.

Mohamed is very influential among young people in Makeni because of his trade. The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), government of President Julius Maada Bio saw Mohamed as a stumbling block to their victory in Bombali District and so they targeted him. Senior SLPP officials vowed to eliminate Mohamed Bah, because his influential role in the township will prevent them from securing seats in the district in the June 24th 2023 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections.

The irate SLPP thugs started intimidating Mohamed and his immediate family members, vowing to kill him if seen.

The thugs started searching for Mohamed, stating that they will seriously manhandled him for associating himself with the opposition APC Party.
The thugs attacked Mohamed’s business place and carted away everything they could lay hands on and vowed to kill him if seen.

This latest development prompted Mohamed not to return home from his business trip due to the persistent harassment, intimidation and persecution he is getting from his opponents.

This latest development prompted Mohamed to escape to an unknown destination and since then his where about remains unknown. Family members have expressed serious concern about his security, safety and well-being.

Escaping Death by Chance… Hon Isaac Tarawallie & Others Go Into Hiding

August 15, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Isaac Tarawalie, Member of Parliament of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party who is representing Constituency 118 in the East End of Freetown has decided to go underground in the wake of the 10th August 2022 violent protests that took place some parts in the East End of Freetown and the northern province of the country. This became apparent when this news medium decided to have a look at events that followed in the immediate post-protest period.

Most people predicted that a protest was going to happen, but not as bloody and deadly as it turned out to be. The high cost of living in Sierra Leone has really made people angry and frustrated over the lack of efforts from Government, headed by President Julius Maada Bio, to control the high price of basic commodities such a bread, rice, etc.

Sierra Leoneans have been on the edge for too long and it only required a little spark which eventually came from a Sierra Leonean activist William Kamara popularly known as ‘Adebayor’, who is residing in The Netherlands.

August 10th 2022 was the date that was set for the protests, calling for people to come out and express their frustration over the high cost of living which most people believed would have influenced the government of President Julius Maada Bio who was abroad seeking medical attention. People took to the street, mostly in opposition strongholds across the country, calling for the resignation of President Bio.

The Police were called in and sent out to disperse people. Tear gas was fired, but it didn’t work and things became intensified. Eyewitnesses say the police started firing live rounds of ammunition into crowds, killing protesters in the process. Some were arrested and severely beaten before being whisked away. Protesters then attacked police officers, using machetes, and six police officers ended up losing their lives.

At Wellington, in the East End part of Freetown, protesters were seen attacking two police officers in uniforms with machetes, where they ended up losing their lives. Videos of these bloody and deadly events of August 10th 2022 across the country started circulating, revealing clearer information on what’s had happened on that fateful day. In the evening hours the protests were brutally suppressed and everything died down.

What then followed next sent cold chills down the spines of most people. As one of the Members of Parliament of the main opposition party who was representing a Constituency which turned out to be one of the hotspots of violent protest, Hon. Isaac Tarawallie was alleged to be one of the ring leaders who led hundreds of youths to the protests. Another eyewitness also confirmed that armed policemen raided his house on the night of August 10th in which he managed to flee the scene but his pregnant wife was threatening interrogated to point out his whereabouts.

Information about the deaths of the six police officers who lost their lives in the protest quickly spread across Freetown, with ruling party supporters pointing fingers at opposition party supporters they recognized to have taken part in the protests and eventual deaths of the six police officers killed that day. The east end of Freetown which was the heart of the August 10th protests saw the brunt of a police crackdown, the breaking down of doors where supporters of the main opposition party live with their families.

Many arrests of opposition supporters were made, with others shot in their homes, while many more narrowly escaped death from the hands of angry ruling party supporters with machetes and the guns that accompanied the police.

In the northern city of Makeni, police rounded up supporters of the main opposition of the All People’s Congress, including social media blogger and Chairman of the opposition group called TAGMEN, Evangelist Samson and some of his followers. Evangelist Sampson was shot and killed by the Police at close range and this killing of such a popular blogger brought so much anger and frustration in the country.

The military were later called in to assist the police, which was followed by intense raids on opposition supporters who had taken part in the protests. This has seen many of the members and supporters of the APC gone into hiding and posters of wanted persons involved in the protests and those police believed to have taken part in the killing of police officers displayed in public.

The military presence on the streets increased, and warnings of more arrests and prosecutions of people who would take to the street were made by the police.

The Sierra Leone government believed opposition members were behind these protests and has instituted an inquiry into the events. In a swift response, the Mayor of Freetown, Her Worship, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer of the All People’s Congress was also invited for questioning.

Many political observers believe the crackdown on opposition members who took part in the protests and those believed to have taken part in the killing of six police officers across the country will continue with no end in sight.

There were reports that there are also vigilante groups made of members of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). These groups are also reported of raiding suspected APC Members, of which a prominent one happens to be Hon Isaac Tarawallie. For unfortunate ones who are rounded up they are taken to a notorious detention centre known as Benghazi where they are tortured.

According to a renowned political commentator, what is for now good for APC members who have been declared wanted is for them to lie low or otherwise face the reality of being brutally killed gauging from the political tension that has now engulfed this country.

An attempt made by our reporter to contact some APC stalwarts, including Hon Isaac Tarawallie, Abu Bakarr Bangura, Beatrice Conteh all prominent members of the opposition APC Party residing in the East End of Freetown, where the protest was hot, proved futile as there were no responses indicating that they have gone underground.

Sierra Leone Activist on the Run: The Tale of a Fugitive Seeking Justice

August 15, 2022

By Frances Wright

In a world where standing up for one’s beliefs can lead to both admiration and animosity, the story of an activist, Joseph Caulker, wanted by the Police emerges as a compelling tale of passion, conviction and the pursuit of justice. This enigmatic figure has captured the attention of the masses and ignited debates on the true meaning of activism and civil disobedience.

Joseph’s journey began like any other – a young man who yearned to change things for the better. They were driven by a deep-rooted desire to fight against societal injustices, inequality and oppression by the Government. Whether it was advocating for environmental protection, rallying for marginalized communities or seeking reforms in the political landscape, their determination knew no bounds.

However, as the activists gained prominence and their message resonated with more people, the Government viewed them as a threat. Authorities began scrutinizing their actions, casting a shadow over their every move. Peaceful protests on the 10th August, 2022 turned into tense standoffs that led to the loss of lives including Six Police Officers right across the country.

The 10th August protest led to a warrant for the activist’s arrest. The charges were ambiguous, with some labeling them as heroes while others deemed them a dangerous radicals and perpetrators of violence. As the lines blurred between right and wrong, the activists found themselves on the run from the very institutions they sought to reform.

Faced with the prospect of capture, the activists went underground, adopting a life of secrecy and evasion. As for Joseph, while in hiding, some of his family members gave leads to the Police for him to be apprehended on the grounds that he had adopted a lifestyle that is contrary to their religious belief being a gay. The media fueled speculation about their whereabouts, and rumors circulated about their activities during their time on the run. Some supporters lauded them as a symbol of resistance and perseverance, while detractors saw them as criminals evading justice.

In the midst of this turmoil, questions arose about the efficacy of activism. Some argued that the activists’ actions had disrupted the social order, exacerbating tensions and undermining the rule of law. Others contended that their fugitive status had thrust their cause into the global spotlight, shedding light on injustices that authorities had ignored for too long.

Many have drawn parallels between this activist and historical figures who faced similar circumstances. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr., who defied laws to challenge racial segregation in the United States, and Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid in South Africa, were once considered criminals in the eyes of their respective Governments.

Yet, history has hailed them as heroes and champions of human rights. As time passed, the activist’s story took on a life of its own. Folklore emerged, attributing near-mythical qualities to this enigmatic figure.

Songs were written, murals were painted, and their image became a potent symbol of resistance and defiance.

As the pursuit intensified, the question of whether the activists would ever surrender themselves to authorities or continue to evade arrest remained unanswered. Supporters continued to rally for their cause, organizing protests and advocating for their recognition as political refugees rather than criminals. Critics, on the other hand, called for their immediate apprehension and prosecution, viewing their evasion as a blatant disregard for the rule of law.

In the Aftermath of August 10 Protest… Wisdom Umarr Dumbuya ’s Life is Hanging in the Balance

August 15, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Various human rights activists in the country have seriously condemned the unlawful and wrongful arrests of young people identified as the real perpetrators of the August 10, 2022 violent protests that erupted in some parts of the country including Freetown, the capital city, as some social media posts have indicated.

However, when this medium decided to undertake a serious investigation into the issue it came out glaringly that in actual fact such false identifications are mainly politically motivated and perpetrated by supporters of the ruling SLPP Government against those considered to be against the political establishment.

What has made the situation become very alarming is the fact that there are certain vigilante groups, said to be made up of supporters of the ruling SLPP Government, going around and clandestinely killing those considered to be diehard supporters of the opposition APC Party.

These frightful extra-judicial killings have even become very fearful and dreadful to an extent that it has created panic in some communities especially when news break out that a fanatic supporter of the APC in the Northern Provincial City of Makeni was identified and shot dead amidst other unconfirmed incidences of similar nature.

The aforementioned Evangelist Samson was a well known, vociferous and ardent supporter of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party, whose members were deemed and accused of being behind the violent protests that claimed the lives of Police Officers and civilians, some said to be innocent.

Evangelist Samson was known for his incisive and acidic criticisms against the governance policies of the ruling SLPP Government and has called on Sierra Leoneans to vote out the SLPP from power simply because of ineptitude and corruption.

Arkram, one of the emerging communities situated in the East End of Freetown close to Ferry Junction was indeed a hot spot during the violent protest as the situation was really tense as the crowd was trying to advance towards the city’s centre with Police Officers repelling them by firing tear gas canisters and in some cases live bullets.

Young people were seen violently protesting as they believe that the economic hardship has become really unbearable and therefore a political change must take place.

Mounting roadblocks, burning tyres and throwing various missiles against the Police, who in return retaliated by firing teargas to disperse the sporadic crowds that were converging or building up from time to time, the situation really got out of hand as the Police started firing live bullets with some fatalities taking place.

As the situation died down, one of the ardent supporters of the APC Party, a resident of the community by the name of Wisdom Umarr Dumbuya was accused by some irate youths, believed to belong to the ruling SLPP, as one of the ring leaders of the violent protest who was calling for the resignation of President Julius Maada Bio.

The desperate group of young irate SLPP supporters was seen violently moving towards his house, with some holding sticks, machetes with the objective of physically manhandling him in order to teach him a lesson that he should learn to respect the President and Government of the day.

A reliable source, who intimated this medium on the condition of anonymity, stated that the accused person, Wisdom Umarr Dumbuya, was not even in town when the protest in Freetown occurred. According to our source, Wisdom Umarr Dumbuya was on a business trip to Guinea and only returned a week later after the protest.

He said Wisdom Umarr Dumbuya is lucky as he should have been dead by now because, unaware that he is wanted, upon his immediate return no one spotted him until he was alerted by one of his cousins that the Police have raided their house four times on the lookout for him.

Besides, it was stated that on three occasions strange voices have been heard, late at night, close to where Wisdom Umarr Dumbuya was residing, speaking in low tones but upon thorough investigation in the morning hours the owners could not be identified. However, it has been speculated that the voices belong to those who are on the lookout for Wisdom Umarr Dumbuya and two other young men accused of killing a police officer.

Although some of those identified, arrested and charged to court for taking part in the August 10th violent protests have been tried in various Magistrate courts, heavily sentenced, there are ,however, reports that some people have gone missing for days now.

A relative of Wisdom Umarr Dumbuya, whom one of our reporters spoke with stated that as the political situation in the country continues to become tense with the build up to the 2023 Presidential, Parliamentary and Municipal Elections, it is but advisable for Wisdom Umarr Dumbuya and others accused of involvement in the violent protests to lie low and if possible move out of the country until everything dies down completely otherwise they may risk any untoward thing that may occur or happen to them.

Wanted: Ibrahim Koroma and Associates Linked to August 10 Protest Unrest

August 15, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Human rights activists nationwide are condemning what appears to be the wrongful detentions of young individuals accused of instigating the violent protests that rocked several parts of Sierra Leone, particularly Freetown, on August 10, 2022. Investigations reveal that these identifications are likely politically motivated, orchestrated by supporters of the ruling SLPP Government against perceived political adversaries.

Adding to the complexity, vigilante groups, purportedly aligned with the SLPP, are allegedly involved in covertly targeting and, in some cases, killing fervent supporters of the opposition APC Party. Reports include incidents of passionate APC supporters being identified and fatally shot, generating a climate of fear.

Wellington, a community in the East End of Freetown, was a focal point during the violent protests. Police responded with tear gas and, in some cases, live bullets as tensions flared. Economic hardships and a call for political change fueled the protesters’ grievances, leading to roadblocks, arson, and clashes with the police.

Ibrahim Koroma, a Wellington resident accused of collaborating with a group known as Peoples Power in Politics (PPP), faced retaliation from irate youths aligned with the SLPP. Accused of being a leader in the violent protests, Koroma’s residence was targeted by a group intent on inflicting harm as punishment for perceived disrespect to the President and government.

The Sierra Leone Police have declared Koroma and others wanted, accusing them of leading the August 10 violent protest. Mysterious voices heard near Koroma’s residence have fueled concerns, and there are reports of missing individuals involved in the protests. Some identified protesters have faced legal proceedings, while others remain unaccounted for.

At present, Ibrahim Koroma’s whereabouts remain unknown.