Speaking Out Against Abuse - The Courage of Amira Koroma

The recent allegations against the Minister of Works, Dennis Moinina Sandy, are not just shocking but deeply troubling.

A video posted by Amira Koroma, his stepdaughter, outlines disturbing details of attempted rape, a culture of impunity, and the power dynamics at play in Sierra Leone. Amira’s courage in speaking out about her experiences is commendable and it also raises questions about whether the systems in place to protect victims of sexual violence in our country are adequate.

Amira Koroma alleges that Dr Sandy attempted to rape her when she was 18 years old and that he has continued his pattern of abuse within their family, targeting her younger sister as well. The released audio recording circulating on social media adds a layer of grotesque normalization of incestuous behaviour, with the voice purported to be Sandy’s insisting that “before strangers enjoy, leave it to your family.” This attempt to frame sexual abuse as a family matter echoes the dangerous rhetoric used by those in power to mask their heinous crimes under a veil of cultural norms.

Amira’s bravery to bring these allegations to light, especially in the face of threats from Sandy and his family, is a testament to the strength required to challenge systemic violence and misogyny. However, it also underscores the fact that the GEWE and other laws designed to empower and protect women and girls in Sierra Leone have yet to effectively deliver justice.

Despite President Bio’s 2019 declaration of a national emergency on rape and sexual violence and the subsequent legal reforms, including harsher penalties for sexual offences, stories like Amira’s reveal that enforcement remains weak. While the law may now prescribe a minimum of 15 years or life imprisonment for rape, particularly when children are involved, the reality is that very few cases make it to court, and even fewer result in convictions. The recent revelations point to a broader issue: those in positions of power are often shielded by their status, making it nearly impossible for victims to get the justice they deserve.

This case also highlights the toxic culture of silence and complicity that continues to pervade Sierra Leone’s political elite. Instead of facing these allegations head-on, Amira has been pressured to take down some of her posts, an alarming but familiar pattern in cases involving powerful figures. The fact is she is only able to speak out because she feels safe and secure in the United States. It is also telling that despite the gravity of the accusations and the evidence she has presented, there have been no visible steps taken by the authorities to investigate, suspend, or hold Sandy accountable. He is still a Minister and the Police have not yet invited him for questioning.

What is even more concerning is the message this sends to the women and girls of Sierra Leone who suffer in silence. If a minister can allegedly attempt to rape his stepdaughter and then try to manipulate her into silence, what hope is there for the many women and girls who do not have access to the platforms or networks that Amira has? The culture of impunity that shields powerful men like Sandy must be dismantled if we are serious about creating a safe and just society.

In Sierra Leone, where rape and sexual violence remain pervasive, the courage of survivors like Amira Koroma should serve as a catalyst for action. It is not enough to have laws on paper if they are not enforced. It is not enough to declare national emergencies if the state lacks the will to hold even its ministers accountable. Until we confront the deep-seated power imbalances that allow men like Dennis Sandy to operate with impunity, Sierra Leone will remain a country where sexual violence is not only tolerated but normalized.

It is time for Sierra Leone to move beyond rhetoric and take real action. The President must relieve Dr Sandy of his job pending an investigation and the Police must launch a full investigation into the allegations against him, ensuring that the rule of law applies to everyone, regardless of their position or power. Additionally, there must be greater protections for whistle blowers like Amira, whose courage in speaking out is a service to all women and girls in this country.

The time for silence is over. The time for accountability is now. Sierra Leone cannot afford to protect perpetrators at the expense of its women and girls any longer.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

| 2024-10-07 17:37:13

Peeping pervert...
| 2024-10-04 11:15:25

This woman has indeed levied very serious allegations against Dr. Denis Sandy, the Minister of Works. However, the allegations are doubtful by the fact that the woman, Amira, has not provided any evidence to support her allegations. She has even refused to name the woman she claimed she went to the night the alleged incident happened. Another reason to doubt Amira's allegations is that, she is only bringing this allegations to the public court now, when we understand that her mother (Mrs. Sandy) is in court with Dr. Denis Sandy for a divorce. Had the issue of divorce not arose, the public might never have known about the allegations. Given the above, one should take this story with a pinch of salt. It may turn out to be a calculated ploy to bring the character of Dr. Denis Sandy into disrepute for obvious reasons, not limited to counter claims of sympathisers of Denis Sandy that Amira and her mother are doing this in order to grab Denis Sandy's property through divorce claims Indeed fifteen years is too long a time to take to break a silence. The American pattern. My initial comments.
| 2024-10-03 18:58:16

Cases like this is a déja vu matter all too common in SL. To assert that enforcement agencies are redundant is an understatement, rather, the fact is they are very active only when the accused are opposite of the power spectrum. SELECTIVE JUSTICE became more legitimate after April 23, 2018. All the hullabaloo about the fight against gender violence is just noise making.