Samura Kamara Raises Alarm Over Increasing Fire Disaster Threats at Key Sierra Leonean Institutions

Dr. Samura Kamara, the 2023 presidential candidate for the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), has voiced serious concerns over a spate of recent fire incidents affecting significant national landmarks and institutions in Sierra Leone.

In a statement released today, Dr. Kamara questioned the lack of “convincing explanations” for these disasters, highlighting the potential threat to the nation’s heritage and stability.

Dr. Kamara drew attention to a disturbing pattern of fires in recent years, including the destruction of the historic Cotton Tree, a blaze at the Ministry of Trade in June 2020, the Ministry of Social Welfare in 2019, and damage to the Electoral Commission offices in eastern Freetown. He also noted the recurring and unexplained fire outbreaks affecting farms, particularly in the northern regions of the country.

The latest incident, a fire at State House – the 122-year-old seat of the nation’s leadership – has prompted heightened alarm from the opposition leader. Dr. Kamara emphasized the symbolic importance of State House, noting its historical significance as the former residence of the colonial Governor and later the Prime Minister before becoming the official residence of the President.

“Coming after the destruction of the Electoral Commission office and the remnants of the historic Cotton Tree, these incidents touch at the soul of our history,” Dr. Kamara stated. He urged Sierra Leoneans to “for once commit to safeguard our national heritage.”

While acknowledging that the cause of the State House fire is currently under investigation, Dr. Kamara called upon the relevant authorities and the public to “take all necessary precautions to protect our public institutions and historic landmarks.” He stressed that these structures “embody our past, our present, our future, and our shared identity as true Sierra Leoneans.”

Dr. Kamara further warned against ignoring the significance of these institutions, describing them as “the pillars of a national character we so desperately need to build as peaceful, united and democratic Sierra Leonean citizens.”

He concluded his statement by referencing the iconic lion statues at the gates of State House, suggesting they are observing the situation with “utmost concern.”