By Amin Kef Sesay
A stitch in time saves nine. Everything must be done by particularly the Sierra Leone Police to deal drastically with the kind of lawlessness that took place at Dodo in Goderich about two weeks ago, where bailiffs and the police, under the cover of the law, unlawfully damaged buildings and stole properties. It should be noted that land issues form the blood line of Sierra Leoneans and many are of the view that much has not been done to change the narrative, as there are still instances of lawlessness and indiscipline, perpetrated by police officials on ‘Orders from above’.
This situation necessitated the engagement of the new Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, with the management of the Sierra Leone Police, where he told them that he is not aware of any orders from above and that President Bio’s New Direction does not have any sacred cow. He then warned officers to go about their duty professionally and not to allow themselves to be used by politicians or business tycoons.
However, the concerns of citizens is being further heightened when at Waterloo, this past weekend, men in police uniform wantonly broke into people’s houses, again stealing properties. It is not known whether they are really police officers or impersonators using police uniforms to tarnish the name of the force.
The general opinion is that the rate of violence and indiscipline in Sierra Leone are becoming very troubling and unacceptable. Citizens fear that this is disturbing sign of a society bursting at the seams with lawlessness and impunity, which they decry as not good for the peace and security of everyone, as nobody knows who will be the next victim.
It would appear that despite all what the government has done to rid the country of these menace, indiscipline, lawlessness and impunity against ordinary citizens are increasing at an alarming rate.
Our law-enforcement forces must rise up to the occasion to build upon the peace and security gains made by the previous regime. No mincing of words, the people demand for drastic actions by the government to teach the culprits a lesson and establish a precedent. The case of the police officer who shot a killed a civilian in Hastings/Grafton saga, was charged to court and those who were also with him, but did not fire any shot, were all dismissed. It is such actions that are expected and will go a long way to build the confidence of the people in the police.
Drastic diseases need drastic remedies. The Judiciary should prove itself capable to dispassionately and speedily dispense justice against the people behind these acts of terror, violence, lawlessness and vandalism.
The Police should be more proactive in speedily investigating these crimes and arresting perpetrators with efficient dispatch, and the courts of the land should waste no time to dish out very stiff punishments to ensure that other Sierra Leoneans see and fear, by the effective application of the rule of law. This is on the understanding that the rule of law and development are strongly interrelated and mutually reinforcing.
The advancement of the rule of law is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and hunger and the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, all of which in turn reinforce the rule of law.
In terms of development, the rule of law is necessary to create an environment for providing sustainable livelihoods and eradicating poverty. Poverty often stems from disempowerment, exclusion and discrimination. The rule of law fosters development through strengthening the voices of individuals and communities, by providing access to justice, ensuring due process and establishing remedies for the violation of rights.
Security of livelihoods, shelter, tenure and contracts can enable and empower the poor to defend themselves against violations of their rights. Legal empowerment goes beyond the provision of legal remedies, and supports better economic opportunities.
In order for the rule of law to further sustainable development outcomes, it must ensure protection for all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development.
The United Nations General Assembly highlights inter alia, the importance of access to justice for all, and in this regard, encourages the strengthening and improvement of the administration of justice, and emphasized that respect for the rule of law and property rights and the pursuit of appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks encourage business formation, including entrepreneurship, and contribute to poverty eradication.
A lot of lawlessness and violence, such as those mentioned at Dodo and Waterloo, have to do with land disputes. Improved security of tenure for land and property can make a critical contribution to ensuring social and economic progress in rural and urban settings, supporting poverty reduction and furthering gender equality and peace and security. In this respect, the work of the current Minister of Lands, Turad Senesie, is of note and applauded by citizens. They are hopeful that other land disputes will be handled amicably.
Land tenure, including a range of tenure types, appropriate to local conditions and needs, such as community property rights and the protection of resources, creates certainty about what can be done with land or property, and its use and can increase economic opportunities and benefits through investment, improving health, financial stability and personal safety.
