In a recent development, sources from the diaspora have suggested that Sierra Leone may witness yet another large-scale protest, set to disrupt Government operations throughout the country on December 1st of this year. This news has been relayed to this medium, raising concerns about the potential ramifications for President Bio’s administration.
Humphrey Thomas, one of the organizers in the diaspora, shed light on the planned ‘Pot Coba’ Protest, designed to draw attention to the myriad challenges and frustrations experienced by the masses under the leadership of President Bio and his Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Government.
The Bio administration has been the subject of significant criticism in recent times, with the nation grappling with economic, social and political hardships. Concerns have been raised regarding the stifling of freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, hindering public discourse and protests. This, combined with a political impasse that has hampered progress, has resulted in severe hardships, particularly in the form of soaring prices for food and transportation, all while salaries remain stagnant. Thomas stressed that Sierra Leone stands at the precipice of a potential disaster and immediate action is required to avert a catastrophic regression.
In Thomas’s words, “Whether we like it or not, Sierra Leone is on the edge of falling off a cliff and a total collapse that could take us decades back, and it’s time to take action to save Sierra Leone before it’s too late.” He emphasized that the upcoming protest aims to send a resounding message to the world that Sierra Leoneans are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in their country.
The organizers are proposing a distinctive and peaceful method for Sierra Leoneans and their supporters to express their discontent, bypassing the Government’s previous use of force to suppress protests. According to Thomas, this initiative seeks to create a synchronized noise event both across Sierra Leone and globally, intending to spotlight their opposition to the policies and governance of the Bio administration without jeopardizing the safety of participants.
The campaign, aptly named “The Pot Cover (Pot Coba) Campaign,” was officially launched on October 9, 2023, at 12 pm local time. The culmination of this effort will be the actual protest scheduled for December 1, 2023, from 7 am to 5 pm.
But what exactly is “The Pot Cover (Pot Coba) Campaign”? It’s a peaceful form of protest where individuals will come together to rhythmically strike cooking pot covers, creating a harmonious cacophony from 7 am to 5 pm on December 1, 2023. Spearheaded by Humphrey Thomas, this campaign seeks to unify voices both within Sierra Leone and around the world, advocating for change and poverty alleviation without putting participants’ personal safety at risk.
