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The Special Investigative Committee (SIC) that was formulated by President Julius Maada Bio to look into the August 10th violence in Freetown and other parts of the country has issued a summary statement of their assignment.
This is according to press release issued today, Tuesday 26 October 2022, signed by the Committee’s Chairman, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq. and Head of Media, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.
Summary of ToR for Public Consumption is stated below:
1. The Context: His Excellency, the President, Brig (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio constituted a diverse yet competent Special Investigative Committee (SIC) on 24th August 2022, to look into the August 10th incidents that caused destruction to property and claimed several lives including those of police officers.
2. Broad Objective: The overall objective of the investigation is to examine both the immediate and underlying causes, sources of financing, execution, and consequences of the incidents as well as the response of the security forces.
The specific objectives are:
i. To identify and investigate the key planners of the incidents of 10th August 2022.
II. To identify and investigate the organisers and financiers of the incidents of 10th August 2022.
III. To examine the immediate and underlying causes of the incidents of 8th, 9th and 10th August 2022.
IV. To examine the preparedness of the security forces in terms of intelligence gathering, processing and response.
V. To assess the consequences of the incidents on households, communities and the nation.
VI. To recommend policies, programmes and actions for both the short-term and long-term to prevent such occurrence.
2. Methodology:
The general procedures and approaches would adopt mainly qualitative methods.
Public hearings (some in camera) will be held in Freetown and the provinces. Various other methods will be employed to solicit information. The Committee will also interface with the security sector in the discharge of its responsibility.
