Post a comment 
Dr. Abu Bakarr Jalloh, an academic, has raised concerns regarding comments made by Myk Berewa, a communication aide to President Julius Maada Bio, on the social media platform Facebook.
In his response to Abu Bakarr Boxx Konteh of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), Berewa made remarks that were perceived as tribal and regional in nature, specifically targeting surnames associated with the northern region of Sierra Leone, which he referred to as Bio’s adversaries.
Jalloh described Berewa’s comments as “deeply troubling” and “dangerous,” asserting that such statements have no place in Sierra Leone. He added that labeling certain surnames as opposition is akin to “ethnic profiling,” suggesting that it diminishes valid critiques of President Bio by framing them as rooted in tribal bias rather than legitimate concerns about the economy and governance.
According to Jalloh, these remarks are “divisive and harmful” to the social fabric of Sierra Leone, especially during a period when many citizens are grappling with economic challenges. He argued that it is entirely reasonable for citizens to express dissatisfaction with government actions in the face of rising economic hardships and criticised Berewa for perceiving this discontent as tribalism.
Jalloh warned that allowing such narratives to continue could jeopardise the unity and national cohesion that Sierra Leone has worked hard to achieve. He stressed the importance of fostering a space where genuine criticism can be heard without resorting to tribal divisions.
Following Berewa’s controversial comments, he has received several criticism on social media, with calls for him to retract his statements.
As of Saturday afternoon, Berewa has not issued an apology or removed his post.
