By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Sierra Leone Police has in a press statement warned against any planned protests. The statement from the police comes as audio messages circulated on social media call for protests in the capital for allege human rights violations by the government.
“The content of these audios to a very large extent aimed at inciting violence, creating hatred, disaffection and instability in the country,” the statement from the police reads in part.
While on the one hand the Police insist that protesters must seek permission from the force to engage in any protest, it says due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not grant permission for any protest.
The police have had a tough week; from dealing with prison riot at the maximum correctional facility in Freetown, where 12 people died, to quelling down major incidents of violence in Lunsar, Kabala and Tombo, where lives were lost.
The incidents have led to the sacking of the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Most of the violent incidents had been predicted by social media audios, circulated days before they occurred.
The Police vowed to crack down on offenders.
“The management of the SLP wishes to express displeasure over such negative and unpatriotic acts, in like manner, the SLP wants to remind everyone of the legal provisions of the Public Order Act No.46 of the 1965 with regards to assembly, demonstrations and/or procession. Management would therefore like to advice and encourage the intended organizers of any protest to think twice and stay put: as violators would be dealt with as provided by law,” the statement adds.
Sierra Leone is currently under a State of Emergency.
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