There have been serious concerns about the security and safety of residents in the Northern District of Tonkolili and their properties as the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party is preparing for its next lower elections across the country.

The concerns from residents stemmed from the already signs of tension and wrangling from rival camps of the two leading candidates for the Tonkolili District Chairmanship of the Sierra Leone People’s Party. There are reports and counter reports, allegations, and counter allegations of guns being used between the two rival camps of Ahmed Saybom Kanu, the current chairman, and incumbent and his main challenger, Mohamed Orman Bangura, Sierra Leone’s Youth Minister.

On February 1st, 2025, party members and supporters gathered in their Magburaka office for the distribution of party membership cards. During the said process, residents living around the SLPP party office witnessed tension and exchanges of maternal invectives between supporters of the two camps.

Both camps are allegedly using thugs to attack opponents. With all of those unprecedented actions and allegations looming, the fear of the public is that the two leaders have not come out to the public to either take responsibility or condemn the act.

What has become more worrisome to residents is the allegations coming from supporters of both camps of their leaders carrying guns and using thugs to attack opponents. Another reason why residents are gravely worried is the fact that the past SLPP lower-level elections started this way, which ended up being bloody and posed tension in a number of communities around the district.

On social media, videos posted by supporters of both camps show an unfriendly atmosphere at the party office in Magburaka.

The public is, therefore, calling on the attention of the Sierra Leone Police and the national leadership of the Sierra Leone People’s Party to ensure the safety of residents and their properties is guaranteed.

Meanwhile, the party’s Secretariat in Tonkolili District released a public notice earlier today, informing the membership and the public that the Distrbuuton of membership was ongoing amidst tension and wrangling.

“Be informed that the meeting is continuing with the issuance of Party cards at the party office.
Chairmen and Secretaries from various constituencies have been here in Magburaka since yesterday and are due to return today.
The District Executive, which is duly constituted, is issuing the party cards to the constituencies, the public signed by the party’s District Secretary General, Robert Salia Kamara reads.

Depending on who was talking, both Bangura, the Youth Minister, and the incumbent Chairman were accused of hiring thugs and ignition tension.

Party supporters who are mostly youths are seen in videos chanting their leaders in a chaotic mood.