Lt-General Peter K. Lavahun Becomes New Chief of Defence Staff

August 15, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Public Notice issued by the Office of the President dated 12^th August, 2022 it was stated that the General Public is hereby informed that it has pleased His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Brigadier General (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, to announce the following:

That Major General Peter K. Lavahun has been promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Dauda Alpha has been promoted to Major General and appointed Commander Joint Force, Brigadier General Christian F. Marah promoted to Major General and appointed Chief of Staff, Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Abubakarr Conteh appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Staff, Colonel Michael S Kamara promoted to Brigadier General and appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Staff, Captain (Navy) Philip J Juana – promoted to Commodore and appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Staff, Group Captain John A.S Gbondo as Assistant Chief of Defence Staff.

That Lieutenant General Sullay I Sesay, Brigadier General Ronnie B Harleston and Brigadier General Joseph S Kaimapo have retired.

President Bio Assures Taking Affirmative Action against Insurrectionists

August 15, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In the wake of the events of the violent and bloody insurrection of 10^th August, 2022, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, in an address to the nation on the 12^th August, 2022, stated that he is greeting all with a heavy heart, asking all to mourn for and pray to God/Allah Almighty to grant eternal peace to the country’s Police Officers and other citizens who were violently murdered on the 10th of August, 2022.

The President underscored that on that day, the peace, security, and stability of the nation was shattered by persons whose insurrection was pre-meditated, well-planned, financed, and executed with shocking brutality.

He pointed out that before August 10, the insurrectionists had severally identified themselves on social media as APC Warriors, PPP, and persons who are determined to capture political power even at the cost of hundreds of lives.

President Bio told the nation that for some time now also, some politicians have been raising tensions with divisive language and threats to make the country ungovernable furthering how their known surrogates and associates have stated that they will continue to illegally use violence to unseat the democratically elected Government maintaining how the events of August 10 were a clear statement of their collective intent.

He stated that the Constitution and laws of the Republic not only guarantee the right to free speech and peaceful protest, but they also provide applicable restrictions arguing that as in all democracies, the right to peaceful protest should be exercised by identifiable persons, and it should not threaten public safety and peace.

“The right to protest should not be expressed as a right to violently murder police officers, burn down Police Stations, and disturb the peace of our country,” President Bio stated adding that clearly it was not a peaceful protest.

He also asserted that it was also not a nationwide protest as the unrest occurred only in some parts of Makeni, Binkolo, Magburaka, Kamakwie, Lungi, Western Rural, Eastern Freetown, and towards PZ in Freetown underscoring how there were no protests in all other parts of the country including large parts of Freetown.

The First Gentleman intimated that it was not a protest against the high cost of living occasioned by the ongoing global economic crisis as the chant of the insurrectionists was for a violent overthrow of the democratically-elected Government with the killings and destruction targeting Police officers and public and private property associated with the Government.

“Theirs was not a protest about measures undertaken by the Government to handle the challenges brought on by the global economic crisis,” he said in strong terms.

The President reminded the nation that since COVID-19 struck, Government has undertaken specific economic recovery and resilience measures that have kept essential food items and fuel on the market, kept businesses running, and maintained public services.

He said, in fact, Government reduced fuel and transportation prices twice in the last month in addition to other social safety payments and cash transfers to poor and vulnerable populations and microfinance loans to women and youth.

President Bio informed how Government is expanding skills development and vocation educational opportunities and creating jobs in various sectors of the economy especially in mining in the northern province, and small-scale manufacturing in other parts of the country.

He said the Government has also undertaken large-scale efforts towards food security and kept its free quality school education and healthcare priorities on course.

“This insurrection, which was executed by clearly identified partisans using the cover of follow-on crowds including children, was characterized by targeted killings, wanton looting, and destruction of property,” he said reiterating how it was not a peaceful cost-of-living protest but was simply an attack on the peace and security, an attack on the rule of law, and an attack on democracy.

He said in addition to their overarching objective, the attacks were meant to violently disrupt the daily and normal activities and lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans and to the international community, it was meant to present Sierra Leone as a place where law and order had completely broken down.

President Bio stated how Government will not sit idly by for such persons to disturb the peace of the nation and derail the gains they are making in the nation.

He said the full force of the law will be brought to bear on all those persons who attacked and killed police officers stressing how they, their sponsors, and their collaborators will not go unpunished maintaining that

a full investigation done into the deaths of ordinary citizens who lost their lives in the senseless violence incited by the known persons.

He intimated that in the coming weeks and months, Government will undertake necessary security actions meant to guarantee the peace and security of all citizens adding that while those may cause some unavoidable inconveniences, Government’s actions will guarantee all constitutional rights and freedoms of peaceful citizens.

The President said the security forces will and must act with great restraint and within their professional codes of service but was quick to give assurance that his Government will crack down hard on violent insurrectionists, their collaborators, their sponsors, and their supporters.

“My Government will relentlessly fight those who would rather use terror and gruesome violence to achieve political goals,” he stated with determination.

He stated that as President, he is urging every peace-loving Sierra Leonean to be mindful that national unity, peace, and stability are essential for the survival of the nation urging all to continue to respect all the laws of Sierra Leone and remain law abiding.

He said just over twenty years ago, we turned our backs on using violence to resolve differences saying we have since made great progress to consolidate democracy adding how his Government has made every effort to open up spaces for dialogue and peace informing that Bintumani 3 was meant to bring all parties together to forge a pathway to peace and national cohesion.

President Bio said since then, they have established the National Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, removed the obnoxious seditious libel laws and that Sierra Leone has made great improvements in global press freedom rankings.

He said no journalist is in prison for the practice of journalism, how there are no political prisoners and Government has abolished the death penalty.

The President mentioned that there are traditional and community leaders, youth and community groups through which citizens can freely express their views informing that his Government has maintained open dialogue with civil society organizations and international partners.

He said Government also assures the right to peaceful protest as long as groups and their leaderships identify themselves and work within the existing laws of Sierra Leone adding that peaceful protesters will be fully protected by law enforcement officials.

President Bio said his Government has further undertaken progressive reforms to guarantee fundamental constitutional rights and freedoms, create opportunity, and ensure gender empowerment and equality.

He added that the dates for democratic elections have been announced over a year in advance and political parties are free to organize peacefully and present policies to citizens of the country.

President Bio concluded by expressing deep condolences to bereaved families assuring to fully investigate all deaths as a result of the violent insurrection revealing that as a Government, they will honour the Police Officers who were murdered with a civic funeral in respect of their service to the nation maintaining that their deaths shall not be in vain stressing how they will bring their killers and all those responsible for their deaths to justice.

Orange Money Partners with Bike Riders Association

August 15, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Orange Money Sierra Leone, an appendage of Orange Sierra Leone, has on the 10^th August 2022 engaged members of the Bike Riders Association culminating in the establishment of a partnership between the two entities.

The terms of partnership is that the Bike Riders should help in terms of doing advertisement on behalf of Orange Money and I return the company will create a platform through which financial transactions could be made via Orange Money preventing the use of physical cash. Also, Orange Money has consented to complete the construction of a Secretariat for the Bike Riders Association.

Head of Orange Money Marketing Department, Abibatu Baxter, welcomed members of the Bike Riders Association further maintaining that it is good that they will become part of the Orange family through the partnership also expressing hope that the partnership they will forge will positively reflect on the people of Sierra Leone and that the bond which has been formed will continue.

On her part, the Acting CEO of Orange Sierra Leone, Haffie Haffner, intimated that since 2016, one of the promises Orange SL made to the nation was to provide qualitative telecommunications services for everyone. She expressed the conviction that telecommunications services are no longer for the privileged few in society but rather a right to access them and all other associated services that come along with it like Orange Money.

She continued that from that period to now Orange Sierra Leone has being building sites all over the nation which has catapulted them to become one of the biggest telecommunications service providers in the country.

According to her, they are not only building sites but they are building systems that offer qualitative services as well as developing good products that the people will be happy with.

She went forward to say that she knows that many people are using most of their services and products but they are yearning for more inclusiveness adding how they are working towards the enhancement of digital inclusion.

The Acting CEO stated that is why Orange SL is partnering with the Bike Riders Association because they work in unity.

Head of Orange Money, David Mansaray, on his part expressed the wish that the relationship they have formed with the Bike Riders Association will be sustainable.

He said knowing that in each relationship both parties should help each other, Orange SL has a lot of goodies for the Bike Riders Association maintaining how in return they hope to get their support as well.

David Mansaray pointed out that one of their aims is to provide an easy way for bike riders to do their business and to ensure that everyone becomes a winner at the end of the day.

President of the Bike Riders Association, Umaru Talie Bah, after introducing members of the Executive team stated that they are ready to work with the company especially as the company has agreed to complete their head office building expressing gratitude for the partnership that has been formed.

NP-SL is Hugely Contributing to the Socio-Economic Development of the Nation

August 15, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

NP Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), it has been confirmed, is a successful enterprise that is hugely contributing to the socio-economic development of this nation.

This assertion could be justified when cognizance is taken of the company’s serious deepening of the country’s Local Content Policy as vividly evident in giving exceptional preference to employing indigenes contrary to bringing in foreign expatriates to execute certain tasks. This laid down policy that is strictly implemented has created room for the employment of Sierra Leoneans who have the requisite qualifications and skills giving them the opportunity to take care of personal responsibilities.

This admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd has been exhibiting throughout the years by the proper implementation of the country’s Local Content Policy is geared towards giving preferential treatment to indigenes or making use of local ingredients, in the form of human and material resources, instead of depending on those that are acquired through importation.

The company has deepened the laid down policy of giving preferential employment consideration to indigenes instead of relying on expatriates. As long as Sierra Leoneans have the requisite qualifications and skills they are first considered for various vacant positions in the company. The greatest advantage is that the policy has made it possible for indigenes to be gainfully employed and live improved standards of living.

“I cannot find words to express how delighted I am as I can proudly say that NP-SL has changed my life completely since the company employed me,” one of the workers at NP Cotton Tree joyfully intimated The Calabash when this medium went out on a fact finding mission.

“As far as I have assessed in this country it is only NP-SL Ltd that has such a pragmatic policy of maintaining a policy that gives job preferential treatments to Sierra Leoneans and I have great respect for the indigenous company,” Raymond Cole, a Social Commentator eulogized.

With the introduction of NP Smart Card, which has gone viral, the Card can be credited with money and the amount of money utilized to buy fuel debited after every transaction. With the use of NP Smart Card, customers are saved the hassle of having to always move with physical cash in their possession in order to purchase fuel and indeed there are times when one may not have time to rush to the bank to make withdrawals.

Also, customers who are holders and users of NP Smart Card, are at the vantage position to properly budget, through the amount that is contained in the card to buy fuel, during a considerable period of time, say a week or a month. Indeed, NP Smart Card has become trending.

In order to ensure that their customers derive value for money, it was thought prudent on the part of Shareholders and Management to make use of state of the art and highly modernized calibrated pumping machines which were installed at the company’s different Filling Stations capable of pumping the exact quantity of fuel, be it petrol or diesel, that a particular customer requested for.

This fine move by the company has helped instilled confidence among customers that they are really dealing with a very transparent business entity and getting what they are paying for. This singular business strategy has got many glued to a petroleum company that is considered to be marketing the best of petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas and high grade lubricants, one of which is the most sought out Castrol oil, said to be very good for the proper functioning of engines.

The company also markets NP Gas which is a cooking device that is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at the company’s Filling Stations across the country. It can be easily refilled with gas, is said to be non-hazardous to the health of individuals and easy to operate. Its performance has been rated high and many are indeed going for it.

One yardstick that could be used to assess the potency and vibrancy of a company is how well it is entrenched or established. The company, in partnership with private entrepreneurs, has commissioned Filling Stations in different parts of the country with all the attendant advantages. Today it is difficult to hear of “Energy Poverty” in most parts of the provinces in this country.

Indeed it could be seen that the company, over the years, has grown by leaps and bounds as seen in its opening of branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. All these NP branches, within the West African sub-region, are functioning very efficiently and contributing immensely towards the socio-economic development of those host countries. Through their operations, the company is paying taxes to the various Governments and indirectly boosting the revenue bases of those countries to roll out different development programs.

From all that have been said so far, it could be argued with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a highly successful and very progressive petroleum company that is offering qualitative petroleum products and other services making it to continue to stand tall within the business landscape of this country. And from the look of things it is poised to reach higher heights.

Haja Bintu Daboh: An Actual August 10 Perpetrator or Just a Victim of an Unfortunate Circumstance?

August 15, 2022

By Moses Sesay

It has now become very apparent that some people that were arrested in connection to the August, 10, 2022 violent protests that took place in some parts of the East End of Freetown and some areas within the Northern Province were in actual fact not the real perpetrators as it has turned out that the Law Courts could not convict them simply because of lack of corroborative evidences of their involvement.

However, those who were actually involved, arrested, tried and convicted got both long term jail sentences and fines as penalties for staging an unlawful insurrection.

What also became apparent and glaring in the aftermath of the violent protests, that claimed the lives of Police Officers, civilians and led to the wanton burning down of Police Stations and vandalization of public properties, was that the SLPP Led Government has used the insurrection as a basis of clamping down on perceived opposition figures purported to have been involved in the protests that called for the sitting President, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio to vacate the seat of governance.

Currently, there is a list of wanted persons published by the Sierra Leone Police and the search for them by both the Police and some key Government supporters is intensifying by the day. Since then there has been the random rounding up of suspected opposition figures who are said to be tortured at a detention centre, Benghazi, at the Headquarters of the para-military of the police where, it is mooted that because of the severity of the torture some of the detainees are forced to false confessions that they were associated only to be later on proved innocent by the courts in the lack of convincing evidences.

However, there are certain rights based groups that have been vociferously condemning such indiscriminate arrests of innocent people and they have been raising their voices in vehemently calling for fair trials.

This medium learnt that key amongst the wanted names recently published by the Police is a 32 year old lady by the name of Haja Bintu Daboh. She happens to the wife of a popular opposition youth activist, Mohamed Foday Daboh, formerly of Upper Looking Town in Kissy, East End of Freetown, who was reportedly brutally killed in the street by security personnel in military uniform for his alleged involvement in championing the protest.

It was also learnt that because of her being married to an opposition figure, the Police and especially Government loyalists or supporters are going with the notion that Haja Bintu Daboh was also involved in the violent protests and as such she must suffer the consequence.

Since then hell break lose for her as there has been a manhunt for her. Fearing for her life and safety she decided to go underground.

Since she got missing in August 2022, her house and that of her family members have been continuously raided by military personnel and Police Officers from the Operations and Support Division(OSD) in search of her, instilling fear and panic in her family members and also threatening her safety and that of her family members.

It could be recalled that the August 10, violent protests was led by faceless people, that is one cannot categorically identified those behind it , unless one Adebayor said to be residing in Holland that has been calling on Sierra Leoneans to protest against the Government to register their dissatisfaction over the astronomical rise in the prices of basic commodities and for the grueling hardship that they are going through.

Some people lost their lives, including six serving Police Officers that were on duty. Properties worth millions of Leones were destroyed and there was a standstill in Freetown and other affected areas which resulted in the declaration of curfew and deployment of Military Aid to Civil Power (MAC-P).

Immediately after the incident, the Government set up a Special Committee to look into the violence and bring all perpetrators to book.

It can be recalled that the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Lahai Lawrence Leema, was alleged to have been behind the house to house raiding of key opposition figures in the name of arresting the August 10 protesters.

Police say their investigations have proved that Haja Bintu Daboh’s husband, Mohamed Foday Daboh, was one of the senior executive members of the ‘People’s Power in Politics’ (PPP), the main opposition group said to have funded and championed the August 10 protests.

According to our investigation, the Police say they have got intelligence that the fugitive, Haja Bintu Daboh, is in possession of vital documents or information in relation to the protest that will be of help in their investigations.

As a result, the search for her intensifies on a daily basis and some have expressed fear that if caught she will be seriously maltreated in an attempt to force information from her about her husband’s and others involvement in the protest.

The story of Haja Bintu Daboh mirrors the plight some Sierra Leoneans are going through simply because of their political affiliations. Some have been falsely accused on political grounds for trying to create national unrest when in actual fact they were only expressing dissenting views or had only being victims of unfortunate circumstances.

Legal Aid Board Enjoins to Report Cases of Reluctance to Finance Education Expenses of Kids

August 12, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Mabel George brought a Child Maintenance matter to the Legal Aid Board a few months ago. She had dragged her partner/daughter’s father to the Board for failing to take care of his daughter. The matter was mediated and an agreement was reached which provides that the father should pay three hundred Leones (Le300,000) per month towards the upkeep of the child.

The money does not cover schooling, medical and accommodation. The agreement provides that they must be catered for separately. This part of the agreement is usually explained and emphasized because it is prone to being misunderstood by fathers.

Following the agreement, a child maintenance account was opened at the Rokel Commercial Bank outlet at the Legal Aid Board head office in Freetown. The account number was given to the father for him to pay in the amount agreed on at the end of every month. Mabel went home feeling happy that life will be better for her daughter moving forward.

However, few months down the line, a visibly emotionally drained Mabel was back to the office on the 1 August 2022 to lodge a complaint against her daughter’s father who has reneged on the agreement to provide money for the schooling for his daughter. She is worried if nothing done by the Board her daughter could miss out of school in the new academic year.

According to Mabel, the father is refusing to provide money for schooling for the child on the grounds that it is included in the monthly child maintenance money. He is holding on to this view despite the fact that during the child maintenance mediation, it was made abundantly clear that the monthly child maintenance payment does not include expenses for schooling, medical and accommodation which must be provided separately.

The questions begging for answers are: Is this misconception due to a lack of proper explanation of the subject matter to the father during the mediation? Is the father feigning ignorance? Is the father being lazy and irresponsible?

While one may not have clear cut answers to these questions, it must be underlined that complaints of these nature are not uncommon. This situation would have been avoided by any father who takes his responsibilities seriously by calling at the Legal Aid Board for clarification rather than wait until he is dragged to the Board and in the process result in suffering for the child until such a time when the matter is clarified. Moreover, it wouldn’t have taken the father more than one minute phone call to the Board to get such a clarification.

The timing of the complaint is concerning to us at the Board and mothers with school-going children. With the reopening of schools for the new academic year some six weeks away, this is a sign of what is to come if past lessons are anything to go by. This is because, complaints regarding the refusal or failure of fathers to provide money for schooling (school fees in case of those in private schools, books, uniforms, shoes) in the weeks leading to the reopening of schools more so for the new academic are not new.

Also, there is increase in disputes around child custody during this period. Fathers either refuse to release or delay in releasing children to their mothers in time for the reopening of schools. This creates a lot of tension and animosity.

Since the Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation was introduced in 2016, the Board has struggled to cope with the sheer number of such complaints around the country over the years. Last year, the Board mediated 1,372 child maintenance cases relating to schooling in the weeks leading to the reopening of schools for the new academic year and four weeks into the new academic year. The million dollar question is: Are things going to be different this time around? The answer is yes!

The difference this time around is that the Board has learned its lessons and therefore will have these matters resolved prior to the opening of schools so that no child will miss out on the first day of school. This is why it is rolling out series of programmes to ensure compliance with Child Maintenance Agreements or at the very least bring non-compliance to the barest minimum relative to previous years.

These will include stepping up community outreach events, radio interviews, phone-ins on community radios, engagements with local stakeholders including Paramount Chiefs, engagement with Office of the Chief Justice for the setting aside of a Magistrate Court exclusively for child maintenance matters for six weeks from August to September 2022 and engagements with traditional court administrations (Local and Informal Courts).

Children in government and government assisted schools will not be left out. It is easy to assume they are not affected by these problems because Government is paying their school fees and also providing some basics. The reality is, they also have issues around uniforms, shoes, fare and lunch.

To reduce the pressure, the Board will be strategic in handling these issues to avoid being overwhelmed as in previous years. For start, the Board is advising mothers/clients to bring matters against fathers who have made it very clear they will not provide money for schooling for their children.

They should do same for custody matters. For instance, fathers who have made it clear that they will not release children to their mothers in time for the reopening of schools. The Board hopes to mediate these matters as quickly as possible or take them to court where mediation fails.

Next in line will be fathers who are not following through on their promise to provide money for schooling. These matters should be brought to the Board by the third week of August if they do not follow through on their promise. This should also apply in the case of fathers who dismiss any talk of providing money for schooling on the grounds that they are unemployed or hard-up. We are talking of fathers who advance the lazy excuses that they cannot take care of their children because they are unemployed.

There is also the issue of fathers who are outside the jurisdiction of Sierra Leone particularly in the U.S., Europe and Australia who have abandoned their wives and children back home. They have left the burden of bringing up their children in the hands of their mothers. The Board is looking for partners who could help track these fathers and have them provide for their children.

Legal Link Urges Sierra Leoneans to Stay Away from Violence & Destruction of Properties

August 12, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Legal Link has stated in a Press Statement of 10th August, 2022 signed by its Executive Director, Rashid Dumbuya Esq who was a former Commissioner for the Human Rights in Sierra Leone, that it has been following keenly the events of August 8, 9 and 10 and unequivocally condemns all killings that have taken place both on the side of the protesters and that of the security forces and appealed for calm and restraints on both sides.

The rights-based organization maintained that in such a difficult moment in our nation’s history, it wants to remind citizens, security forces and all stakeholders in the country of the need to pursue peaceful solutions, de-escalate tensions, restore normalcy and embark on constructive engagements for the betterment of Sierra Leone.

It continued that while they applaud the interim measures that are currently being put in place under the supervision of the Vice President, it is important to however emphasized that it is the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone that the 1991 Constitution conferred with enormous powers to deal with situations that poses imminent threat to the peace and security of the whole of Sierra Leone or a part thereof.

Referencing Section 29 of the 1991 Constitution as an example, Legal Link stated that the President is empowered to declare a state of public emergency, impose curfew and even restrict the movements of people in a bid to address any imminent threat to the peace, security and health of the nation.

According to the organization, it is against that backdrop that it is appealing to the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone to address the nation and where practicable shorten his vacation trip and return home to deal with the pending crisis situation.

It pointed out that in such a challenging time as this, the need for outright display of humane leadership that looks beyond the horizon in search of smart solutions to dealing with the myriad of problems faced by Sierra Leoneans is key to enhancing peaceful, inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

LEGAL LINK said it is of the firm belief that the President must, in action and body language, show that he is in control of the country while on the other hand displaying empathy over the socio-economic hardship currently experienced by Sierra Leoneans in the country.

It went on to suggest that furthermore, the President must also ensure to seek out for smart, sustainable and inclusive ways of addressing the growing concerns of the public going forward.

The organization said while they condemn all rhetoric to foment violence within, they make bold to equally assert that such rhetoric can however be dissipated if Governments can promptly address socio-economic hardships when they occur, create the enabling environment for the enjoyment of fundamental human rights, such as free speech, freedom of Assembly and Associations and expression of dissent and criticisms without any clamping down or muzzling of such rights by the Police.

LEGAL LINK urged all Sierra Leoneans to stay away from violence and destruction of properties and to further desist from taking the law into their own hands.

It stated that resorting to violence can never be a rightful and sustainable way of addressing socio-economic hardships and human rights concerns faced by citizens in any nation.

“As a democratic society, the electioneering process affords the best opportunity to holding a democratically elected Government to account; and not through violence means,” the Organization stated.

With regards the security apparatus, the organization called on the joint security forces that have been invoked under MAC- P to display democratic policing and further de-escalate the tensions as they seek to restore law and order as well as execute their lawful duties throughout the country.

It further stated that without a declaration of a state of national emergency, the State through its agencies has a duty to protect, respect, fulfill and promote the fundamental human rights of all in Sierra Leone as required under international human rights law adding that any deviation to respect, protect, fulfill and promote fundamental human rights will constitute a violation of international law.

Legal Link stated that no doubt, the eyes of the international community are widely open to Sierra Leone at this time and it is but prudent that all sides try as much as possible to exercise restraint going forward.

It concluded by asking God to save the country from instability praying for all the souls lost in the crisis to rest in perfect peace.

ICPNC Expresses Grave Concern over Incidents of Violence Countrywide

August 12, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Press Release dated 10^th August 2022 issued by the Sierra Leone Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) and signed by its Executive Secretary, Hawa S. Samai, it was maintained that the entity is gravely concerned about the unfortunate incidents of violence in Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone maintaining that from reports received by the Commission, innocent lives have been lost, and many wounded as a result.

ICPNC says Sierra Leone has enjoyed 20 years of peace since the end of the civil war, and it is the responsibility of every Sierra Leonean to ensure that the peace is maintained and sustained.

Against that backdrop, the ICPNC is calling on all concerned to desist from using violence and to use lawful means to resolve whatever grievance they may have adding that negotiations and dialogue are the way out, and the Commission is ready to facilitate such a process.

Urging all citizens of Sierra Leone to remain calm and peaceful the Commission stated that it will continue its efforts to promote peace and national dialogue throughout the country and concluded by stating that: “We pray that no harm on thy children may fall, That blessing and peace may descend on us all.”

UN in Sierra Leone calls for calm and dialogue

August 12, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Babatunde Ahonsi, late Wednesday, 10th August 2022 afternoon called for calm and dialogue over the spate of violent incidents that occurred in Freetown earlier in the day.

In a tweet issued on his Twitter account and later retweeted by the official UN in Sierra Leone Twitter account, Babatunde Ahonsi said, “The United Nations in Sierra Leone expresses serious concerns over the violent incidents that occurred today in Freetown, including reports of causalities.”

The highest-ranking UN official in the country also indicated the United Nations’ willingness to facilitate a dialogue.

Executive Director of Legal Aid Board Unequivocally Condemned Violent Protest

August 12, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, stated on the 10^th August 2022, that it was really an unfortunate and disgraceful day for Sierra Leone.

According to her, she thought after the Special Court and the sentencing of the perpetrators who appeared before it Sierra Leone will not see what transpired on that day.

She called on all to imagine the Police Officers and other innocent lives lost in the riots maintaining that no one can call what took place on that day as a protest.

The legal personality pointed out how such has been brewing for a long time since the elections finished and His Excellency Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio came to power in 2018.

Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles said a spade must be called a spade stating that when the late Solomon Berewa lost elections and the APC came to power, SLPP never gave that level of unrest and asked the question: “Why now?”

She said everyone needs to know that Sierra Leone does not belong to any one set of people but all of us asserting that the people are not afraid of any lawless set of people who do not believe in the rule of law.

“Today really is a sad day for all of us Sierra Leoneans as violence only begets violence,” she bemoaned adding that a country is destroyed not because of the bad people but because the good people sit and allow bad people to take over.

“Those of us who are peace loving Sierra Leoneans should stand with the Government,” she enjoined asking what happened to our democracy.

The Legal Aid Boss said she thought people were responsible enough to wait for elections and cast their ballots for a candidate of their choice stating how the tension is not helping this country and no Government is perfect as all have their respective lapses.

According to her, if disgruntled people really want to sort out issues of contention then a face to face meeting with Government can be held.

But to incite people, especially their poor clients who are ill-informed and can never come close to the seat of power, is despicable and disgusting.

“So if people say President Bio must go who then do they think will take the place of a democratically elected President,” she asked rhetorically.

She reminded Sierra Leoneans that the country belongs to all of us maintaining how we believe in democracy.

“The country is bigger than all the personal ambitions and self-aggrandizements of some politicians who are so desperate to have power,” she claimed and appealed to wait for the ballot box stating that peaceful Sierra Leoneans are in the majority and must stand with law and order, the Government and people of Sierra Leone.

“Peaceful Sierra Leoneans are simply tired,” she said furthering how the strategy will boomerang on politicians as the ordinary man does not condone violence.

She pointed out the real fact that Sierra Leone is not the only country that is suffering from inflation reiterating that a face to face dialogue is the best and most civilized way to sort out issues anywhere.

For her, to spur people to take to the streets at a time of world economic strife when tempers are hot during which innocent people lose their lives is totally unnecessary.

“Shame on all those trying to take Sierra Leone down because of their own human wants,” she condemned adding how the country, by the grace of God, is bigger than all concluding that we will rise and claim our position as a peaceful nation again.