In a text book example of strong and inspirational leadership, the APC Presidential Candidate, Dr Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara braved state sponsored police assault to lead thousands of APC supporters to the Koidu City field where he delivered a powerful message of hope, unity and liberation.
Prior to Dr Samura and his supporters’ entry into Koidu, the district headquarters of Kono, supporters of the Sierra Leone People’s Party had mounted roadblocks to prevent the APC campaign from using Kainkordu Road, a major route to the town field where the APC was designated to assemble. Their only justification for such onslaught was that the APC must not be allowed to process on the street where the SLPP has its office. Such shocking intolerance and violence have been a feature of this campaign since the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) announced the Campaign Calendar in May.
The ruling SLPP has constantly embarked on a strategy of obstructing APC campaigns by attacking the APC on their ECSL officially designated campaign slots. In every single town and district, APC supporters have been attacked and wounded with machetes, sticks, knives and other instruments of violence. In every single one of these attacks, the police has either been complicit or aided and abetted the well ochestrated violence against the main opposition.
And so it was the case yesterday in Koidu. Instead of clearing the unlawful SLPP roadblocks to allow APC supporters safe passage, the police decided to launch an unprovoked attack on the main opposition Presidential Candidate and his supporters. But Dr Samura Kamara, in his trademark calm and peaceful disposition, directed that his supporters refrain from any form of retaliation and instead chose an alternative route to Koidu the town field.
At the Koidu Town Field, Dr Samura Kamara sent a strong message to the police admonishing to work for the state and not a political party. “To the security forces, you are not serving the President of Sierra Leone…you are serving the people so start behaving like professionals …there was absolutely no need to fire teargas on our supporters…”
Dr Samura recalled his role in a special reform programme for the country’s security forces whilst he was at helm of the ministry finance and economic development. He also assured his supporters that the APC will no longer bow to police intimidation and will legally resist any attempt to stifle the freedoms of Sierra Leoneans.
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