By Foday Moriba Conteh
Fresh concerns have emerged over the safety of political activist and civil society advocate Mabel Akuwa Roberts following reports that the Sierra Leone Police stormed her former residence on Friday 13th February, 2026 in an attempt to arrest her over allegations linked to the August 10, 2022 protests.
According to investigations conducted by The Calabash Newspaper, police officers reportedly raided Roberts’ former premises after receiving intelligence that she had returned to Sierra Leone. However, sources close to the activist disclosed that the information was false and that she had not returned to the country at the time of the operation.
The latest development has heightened fears among relatives, associates, and civil society groups who say Roberts continues to face intimidation because of her political activism and criticism of the government.
Mabel Akuwa Roberts, founder of the civil society group Voice for the Voiceless, rose to national prominence during the period leading up to the August 10, 2022 protests through her outspoken advocacy on governance, economic hardship, and human rights concerns. Through her organization, she mobilized young people, many of whom were perceived to be sympathetic to the opposition All People’s Congress (APC).
Following the deadly protests that erupted across Sierra Leone in August 2022, Roberts became one of several opposition-aligned figures accused without formal legal basis of sponsoring youths allegedly involved in the unrest. The accusations reportedly stemmed from claims that some members of her organization were seen participating in the demonstrations.
The protests, which were largely driven by economic grievances and frustrations over the rising cost of living, resulted in violent confrontations between protesters and security forces, leaving several civilians and police officers dead. Human rights organizations later raised concerns over the use of excessive force and politically motivated targeting in the aftermath of the unrest.
Investigations revealed that Roberts was previously invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters for questioning in relation to the protests and was released after approximately 24 hours without any formal charges being filed against her.
Despite the absence of charges, Roberts allegedly remained under surveillance and became the subject of repeated police interest. Sources disclosed that in October 2022, security personnel carried out several raids on her residence, reportedly acting on intelligence linking her to protest organizers. On multiple occasions, she narrowly escaped arrest after being tipped off by sympathizers and neighbors.
The recent February 2026 raid has reportedly revived fears over her personal safety, with close relatives expressing concern that continued attempts to locate and arrest her may place her life at risk.
Civil society organizations and human rights advocates have also expressed alarm over what they describe as the growing politicization of law enforcement and the intimidation of dissenting voices in Sierra Leone.
According to sources familiar with the matter, police authorities have allegedly indicated that efforts to locate Roberts will continue until she is arrested, a development critics say risks escalating tensions within the civic space.
Roberts was also known to have worked closely with the late Evangelist Samson, chairman of the APC-aligned group TAGMEN, who was shot and killed by security forces in Makeni days after the August 10 protests after being labelled as one of the alleged instigators of the unrest. Their association reportedly intensified public scrutiny and accusations against her by political opponents.
Several civil society groups have since renewed calls for greater protection of human rights defenders and activists, urging authorities to ensure that political dissent is not criminalized.
As Sierra Leone continues to reflect on the aftermath of the August 10 protests, the renewed pursuit of Mabel Akuwa Roberts has once again raised difficult questions about political tolerance, civic freedom, and the protection of fundamental human rights in the country.
