By Mabinty M. Kamara
The main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) has in a press statement rejected the “terrorism” label used by President Julius Maada Bio to describe the activities of some of its members.
In a strongly worded statement that was released by the party last Sunday, it expressed dissatisfaction over the president’s statement, insisting that the party is law abiding.
President Bio made his controversial speech on Friday, May 8, in which he called out the APC for not condemning or disassociating itself from a string of violence that had rocked the country.
“The APC party wishes to make it known that we are a law abiding Party and since 4th April , 2018, when President Bio was sworn into office, we have kept within the confines of the law and have resisted all forms of provocations and intimidations,” the party said in its statement signed by APC Secretary General, Osman Foday Yansaneh.
There were riots in Kabala, Lunsar and Tombo, coming after the deadly riot in the Pademba Road Prison, which was described by the government as an attempted prison break.
A lot of the tension has been caused by “inciting” statement and “incendiary” audios on social media, according to the government.
The administration believes that the silence of the APC amounts to an endorsement of the actions of some of its members.
There have been concerns over the rising political tension, with the United Nations urging both sides of the political divide to show restraint and engage in dialogue to iron out their differences.
In its statement, the APC highlighted instances the party’s members have fallen victim to political violence.
It said that while it is committed to peace, any peace process couldn’t be fruitful without justice, citing several instances of court appeals that have been shelved by the judiciary.
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