C4D Condemns Killing, Destruction of Property

One of the first Civil Society Organizations that condemned the spate of killing during the August 10^th 2022 protest, Citizen’s Forum for Democratic Accountability (C4D) has in a press release dated issued on 11^th August, 2022 stated that they closely following the magnitude of violence that erupted across the country and the brutal killings perpetrated by both security personnel and protesters on Wednesday, 10^th August, 2022.

Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) stated that it is deeply perplexed by the recent violent protests in the country that claimed the lives of innocent civilians and security service personnel, and the destruction of public property reminiscent of the country’s 11 years of civil war (1991-2002) further conveying it sincere condolences to the bereaved families also praying for their souls to rest in peace. The release continued that the Sierra Leone Police crackdown on protesters to foil the peaceful protest or demonstration from expressing their frustration over the high cost of living and bad governance but eventually, the peaceful protests degenerated commotions and disturbances in Freetown, Makeni and Kamakwie, leaving over fifteen Sierra Leoneans murdered in cold blood, including security personnel and protesters.

In a similar vein, the C4C also underscored that in the service of democracy and good governance in tandem with our commitments towards accountability and national cohesion, C4C calls on the Government of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Police, the International Community and Sierra Leoneans to jointly help in resolving the impasses as stated by the Founder and Executive Director, Marcus A. Bangura:

• C4C expressed concern over the spate of violence, the breakdown of law and order and the cataclysmic consequences of loss of lives and property in the country on the part of the security sector and civilian on August 10^th, 2022.
• C4C also shed eyebrows on the continued spate of violence against peaceful protesters and innocent civilians in the country in recent times and condemns the outcome of the protests, the perpetration of violence and the imperfections of the police and protesters to strike a balance of tolerance, peace and security in the country.
• C4C calls on all Sierra Leoneans, more particularly protesters, security personnel and political loyalists to restrain from the spate of violence, incitements, tribal and regional rantings in the country and at the same time, exercise calmness, control emotions, suppress grievances, imbibe the spirit of tolerance, love and respect for one another.
• The press release thus urges the Government of Sierra Leone and security forces to employ dialogue as a way to sway protesters not to always protest in place of using repressive measures to forestall them, since protests are fundamental for human rights and electoral democracy where minority groups use voice to demand accountability and express their grievances peacefully, as and when necessary. Protesters are vital and corrective to majority rule.
• C4C maintains that SLP be professional enough to control protests, desist from the use of fire arms against unarmed peaceful protesters and civilians, control emotions and refrained from divided loyalty and being used by politicians as political lanterns and stooges. The security sector should not lose sight of the fact that their loyalty is to the state not to individuals.
• C4C considers the imposed curfew as timely but should not outline its usefulness since it contravenes Section 29 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No.6 of 1991.

• C4C calls on protesters not to take the law into their hands but to be law abiding and desist from disorderly behaviour and at the same time call on all to resist being used by politicians as political stooges and as means to an end.
• C4C is appealing to the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, to expedite the restoration of peace security and kindly address the nation at a time like this when the nation is caught in a web of crisis due to the high cost of living and the recent impasse in the country.
• C4C is worried over the shutdown of the internet yesterday during the crisis and condemn the authorities concerned to desist from depriving the public to access the internet and exercise the rights to freedom of expression and opinion and other fundamental rights within the ambit of the law.
• C4C appreciates the government for briefing the International Community on the misshapes and the contributions they made shows that they are not oblivious of the situation in the country.
• C4C commends the intervention of RSLAF and shows professionalism in dealing with peaceful protesters at one point in time for which we are impressed.
• C4C holds the view that the International Community has done very little or nothing to salvage the situation and for which the root leaks more than ever though Sierra Leone is a sovereign state, your timely intervention could have contributed to averting the crisis through diplomacy due to and bargaining for which bilateral and multilateral are created.

C4C entreated the police to restrain themselves from emotions and displayed professionalism in handling protests.