By Hasbin Shaw in Freetown, Sierra Leone
The Sierra Leonean elections have come and gone, with it the trepidations and anxiety that heighten tension that characterized the process would not continue. Although efforts were made by national security the police to stamp violence and ensure a peaceful process, it was after the elections that violence rocked parts of the country.
During the violence, most carried out by riotous youths, buildings were vandalized with the shattering of windows, while some miscreants lit fire unto properties. No motive has so far been established but political observers say the delay of the announcement of elections run-off result evoked the outburst.
A wave of post-elections violence has caused some members of the civil society to raise concern and condemn the perpetrators of violence across the country. The National Youth Coalition and the citizens Advocacy Network recently urged the government of President Julius Maada Bio to come out with a clear position to address acts of violence against citizens.
The organizations condemned the spate of post-election violence and intimidation unfolding in Kenema, Kono and Bo and other parts of the country. The violence ensued after the declaration and the swearing in of Julius Maada Bio as president of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The Executive Director of the National Youth Coalition, Morlai Kanu Conteh said in a statement that “the coalition has been reliably informed that the resident of Madam Haja Kala, Director of the National Revenue Authority was ransacked and unlawfully intruded by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).” The statement added, “This is unlawful and contradicts the official position of president Bio’s pledge to maintain a smooth transition devoid of witch hunting.”
The Coalition condemns this act of intrusion and intimidation on senior public servant, the National Youth Coalition noted, adding, “Such illegal conduct could undermine the stability and peaceful transition underway.”
The coalition said it also considers the arrest and detention of popular Sierra Leone musicians LAJ as “arbitrary and politically motivated”. “This is a democratic state and no citizen or state institution should violate the inalienable human rights of another with impunity,” the group howled.
The Coalition also denounced what it called the “systematic political attacks unleashed by SLPP supporters against APC supporters residing in Kenema city”. “This act violates the international Humanitarian Law. It has the proclivity to undermine the stability of the nation,” Mr. Conteh said.
The Coalition is urging the government of President Julius Maada Bio to come out with a clear position on these “unreasonable acts” of violence against citizens, and should establish a committee to investigate and prosecute persons behind these unlawful behaviors.
Citizens Advocacy Network says it is appalled and shocked by the rising spate of violence and intimidation in some part of the country.
The organization said in a state that it is particularly perturbed by the systematic perpetration of violence against state security agents. In Kenema for instance, video footages of irate youth, disarming, chasing and pelting stones on police officers emerged and went viral.
“No amount of grievances against state security agents could justify the blatant disregard for respect, order and the due process of the law,” it said.
CAN said, it has received reports and seen instances of violence and intimidation meted out on innocent citizens. A case in point is the alleged victimization of the hip-hop musicians LAJ in Freetown. In Taiama, it said, supporters of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) burnt down the offices of the All People’s Congress (APC) “These are inhuman actions… says CAN”
“A more worrisome case has come from Kono where attacks against perceived supporters of the opposition APC have reached their crescendo and has led the complete displacement of hundreds of people from that district. Mashingbi the Tonkolili district, is now playing host to those displaced from Kono,” the group added
