Government Drops Charges Against 10 APC Members Arrested During August 10 Protest

The Sierra Leone government has dropped all charges against ten members of the All Peoples Congress (APC) accused of serious crimes, including murder and arson.

The decision, announced during High Court proceedings in Makeni, aligns with Resolution 4 of the Agreement for National Unity (ANU), which aims to foster peace and unity within the nation. President Julius Maada Bio’s administration is committed to implementing the agreement.

The ten individuals, accused of killing police officers and burning the Kamakwie Police Barracks during protests on August 10, 2022, were immediately discharged and released from custody following the dropping of charges, based on a list provided by the APC.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice reiterated the government’s dedication to fully implementing the ANU, signaling a move to bridge political divides.

Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden provided further context, clarifying that the charges were not dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Instead, the actions of the accused were reclassified as politically motivated. According to Blyden, the ANU resolution allows for the release of individuals involved in events surrounding the alleged insurrection from criminal liability, effectively categorizing the violence as “political events.”

“The burning of the Kamakwie Police Barracks and the killings of the police officers are now seen as products of ‘politics,’” Blyden stated, highlighting the complex nature of the decision. This reclassification suggests that others accused of crimes related to the August 2022 unrest may also benefit from the government’s political amnesty.