By Francis H. Murray
The civil society group, Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), has called on the government of Sierra Leone and law enforcement agencies to take urgent steps to curb the rising level of political violence across the country.
CGG’s call comes amidst fears that the recent spate of violence between supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) had sent a signal of instability and insecurity for most citizens.
‘‘We have monitored and documented with dismay the several reported incidences of violence across the country, but we are concerned that just in January 2020 to date four critical incidents of violence have been recorded. In light of these incidents and other previous occurrences, we therefore urge the government to examine the root causes of this latest rise in public disorder and violence, with a view to instituting sustainable measures that would prevent recurrence,’’ the organization said in a statement on Wednesday.
CGG also highlighted other forms of violence that have been perpetrated without any consequence for the perpetrators. This includes a recent incident in Kpanda –Kemo Chiefdom in Bonthe District, where members of a male secret society assaulted the female Paramount Chief and allegedly raped her 55-year-old sister.
Investigation in to the incident has been slow, since it occurred just over two weeks ago.
CGG were also highly critical of how the Sierra Leone Police have handled all these incidences of violence.
‘‘We are particularly disturbed by the often high-handed and unprofessional conduct by some personnel of the Sierra Leone Police and we call on the authorities to ensure that the principles of fair policing, Rule of Law and proportionality are adhered to under all circumstances. CGG is therefore calling on the Sierra Leone Police to step up on its constitutional mandate to protect lives and properties of everyone within the country’’, the statement continued.
Last weekend a man was shot by a Police officer thought to be attached to the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Lahai Lawrence Leemah, for allegedly attempting to attack the minister.
Police have not just been “high-handed”, they have also been accused of incompetence especially when it comes to handling violent situations. In other cases they have been accused of not been willing enough to arrest suspects or culprits and charge them further.
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