Popular Sierra Leonean Lawyer, Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah has criticised authorities for the recent price hike of fuel and depreciation of the Leones barely a month after elections.

The lawyer described Sierra Leonean politicians to be “master tacticians” in bringing down dollar rate to NLe 14 per $1 weeks before the country went to the polls.

“They have a magic wand to bring dollar fx rate down to circa NLe 14 per US$1 few weeks to the general elections,” he said.

He added that the rate spiked up to NLe 22 soon after the incumbent government was announced winner of the 2023 presidential election.

He also called out the government to hike prices of petroleum products weeks after elections.

“Similarly, they parted the Red Sea of fuel until they sailed through and thereafter commanded the price hike to drown us,” Marrah said.

The lawyer indicated that the government only wanted the votes of the general population.

The government announced on Tuesday evening that prices for petroleum products will rise from NLe 21 to NLe 25.

The recent increment has been criticised by majority of the local population especially commuters who are at the receiving end of it.

A local tricycle rider said they have also added NLe 2 as fare for commuters plying from the west of the capital, Freetown.

“This price is also for us to be able to raise money for fuel and pay the owner by the end of the day,” the rider said.

This is the first time the government has raised the prices for petroleum products but analysts have warned that it could be raised higher by the end of the year.