The National Grand Coalition (NGC) expresses concern over the recent disruption of their Constitutional quarterly NEC meeting by the Sierra Leone Police—an act they view as an affront to national democratic principles and the right to assemble.

According to NGC, as a registered political party, the NEC meeting aligns with their Constitutional mandate to be held quarterly.

The meeting was reportedly intended to confirm the NGC’s withdrawal from its alliance with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). This comes after a disagreement within the NGC regarding the continuation of the alliance. Police later disperse members of the party who gathered in Freetown on Friday for a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

Meanwhile, NGC confirms that in the lead-up to the NEC assembly, certain members purportedly affiliated with the ruling SLPP party attempted to prevent the meeting in favour of maintaining our alliance status with the SLPP. Their efforts were unsuccessful.

A statement from the Party Reads ‘Throughout the NEC gathering, these individuals contested various matters, including the representation by elected Deputy Chairpersons for absent district chairpersons. Our Chairman, prioritising the meeting’s progression, acquiesced to their demands.

However, following initial resistance from one deputy chairman, police involvement was required to escort him out of the premises. In a matter of minutes, three truckloads of police attended, this time to evacuate all delegates without clear justification.

Our Chairman, alongside other party leaders, calmed our delegates and complied with the police directive. Despite our intention to reconvene, the police mandated the end of our meeting and the closure of our premises, preventing further assembly. We did not see the need for such heavy-handedness as the issue had been resolved.

Prior arrangements had been made with the police to ensure a secure environment for our meeting, requesting only a minimal police presence. Contrary to expectations, an excessive force arrived with three truckloads of armed police and OSD officers, raising questions about the intent behind such a display of power.

A pivotal agenda item was the consideration of a motion to reassess our party’s stance in the past election alliance with the ruling party, reflecting the majority’s desire to withdraw. The minority faction, however, opposed this potential decision.

As law-abiding citizens, we recognise that the police have a duty of care for people and property. Still, the number of armed police presence was unprecedented. Police stopping the meeting seemed excessive considering the minimal disruption, managed by removing the individuals in contention.

NGC members always uphold the rule of law and comply with police orders to evacuate the premises to prevent further escalation of events.

Nevertheless, the NGC remains undeterred, steadfast in our dedication to the democratic ideals that define us as a bona fide registered political party with the right to assemble within the precept of the law.

Excessive policing could amount to undue violence, which may have led to injury or loss of life.

United, we stand to safeguard our liberties and advocate for a brighter future for ALL Sierra Leoneans within a democratic dispensation”