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A civic advocacy group, Concerned Sierra Leoneans, has issued a press release condemning what it describes as the unlawful arrest of two organizers of a planned December 10 peaceful protest.
The group criticized the Sierra Leone Police for detaining Mr. Thomas Babadi, a civil society activist, and Mr. Hadi William, who were representing 12,400 petitioners advocating for electoral transparency.
The petitioners have been calling on the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to release disaggregated polling station results from the June 24, 2023, elections.
Concerned Sierra Leoneans assert that the arrests constitute a violation of the democratic and constitutional rights of citizens, further exacerbating tensions over unresolved electoral disputes.
“Mr. Babadi and Mr. William have committed no crime,” the press release states. “Their actions represent the collective voices of citizens seeking accountability and transparency in the democratic process.
Organizing peaceful protests to demand the publication of election results is lawful and vital for maintaining trust in our electoral institutions.”
The group emphasized that the organizers’ decision to notify the police about their peaceful assembly aligns with the provisions of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution.
It described the police’s actions as a heavy-handed response that undermines constitutional rights, including freedom of assembly and expression.
Concerned Sierra Leoneans called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Babadi and Mr. William, urging the police to cease any efforts to intimidate or suppress citizens exercising their rights. “The role of the police should be to protect citizens, not to silence them,” the group added.
The release also appealed to the international community, including organizations such as the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, the Commonwealth, Great Britain, the African Union, and ECOWAS, to closely monitor the situation and hold the Sierra Leonean government accountable for upholding democratic principles.
As this situation unfolds, citizens and stakeholders are watching closely, raising concerns about the implications for Sierra Leone’s democratic values and the country’s commitment to electoral transparency.
Wuna comot normoh wu na see watin go hapin
Democracy died in Sierra Leone since 2018, not only did some of our one-sided compatriots saw that but equally so, a miracle that the MCC, & other international development partners & major countries touting themselves as guardian of that goalpost fail woefully to see & react to such grievous drama happening in SL. Double standards or interest prioritizing?