Daddy George, the deceased
By Umaru Fofana
Police in eastern Sierra Leone have banned indefinitely all political activity in the regional headquarters of Kenema, a day after an opposition SLPP supporter was stabbed to death in an apparent intra-party dispute.
This has led to the cancellation of the planned launch today by Allie Kabbah of his presidential bid to lead the SLPP.
Daddy George, a supporter of another presidential contender John Benjamin, died last night after he had been stabbed allegedly by one Mohamed Fonnie who has been linked to Julius Maada Bio also interested in becoming standard-bearer of the party.
Bio has "unequivocally and unreservedly" condemned the killing referring to it as "unacceptable, unnecessary and unjustified". In a press release, he called for the killer to be punished.
The head of the police in the region says Fonnie has been arrested at the Bandama Checkpoint as he attempted to flee Kenema. AIG Alfred Karrow-Kamara told Politico that a second suspect had been arrested with three more declared wanted. They include one Abdul Gudus Koroma said to have been named by Fonnie as the person who actually stabbed the deceased.
There were reports of reprisal attacks today by Benjamin supporters to avenge the death of their colleague. The police say they urged Mr Benjamin who went round the town to appeal to his supporters for restraint.
Presidential election due not later than February 2018
(C) Politico 28/05/16
