By Alpha Abu
President Julius Maada Bio has in an address to the nation described the violent protests of Wednesday, August 10 as a well-planned and financed insurrection that was executed with shocking brutality.
He made reference to the sabre-rattling by some politicians of making the country ungovernable, and of people on social media who identified themselves as APC Warriors, PPP and others that he said were determined to seize power even if it meant hundreds of people dying in the process.
For weeks now there have been social media audios and videos threatening street protests, to which the president in his address said, as in all democracies, “the right to peaceful protest should be exercised by identifiable persons”, and not to pose a threat to public safety and peace, in reference to the facelessness of those behind the demonstrations.
He condemned the use of small children in the protests in some areas and vowed to crack down on those he called “violent insurrectionists”.
“My Government will relentlessly fight those who would rather use terror and gruesome violence to achieve political goals”, he warned.
President Bio dismissed the notion of it being a peaceful protest or that it related to the soaring prices of goods and services due to the global economic meltdown, and that it was intent on overthrowing the government as witnessed in the killing of Police Officers, and the destruction of property belonging or associated with the government.
But he maintained that the “security forces will, and must, act with great restraint and within their professional codes of service”. He said there will always be room for peaceful protest that will be protected by law enforcement officials.
He spoke of his government’s efforts since the global crisis to ameliorate the economic challenges by twice reducing petroleum fuel and transportation prices in July and of having kept businesses and public services running and salaries paid, while also supporting agricultural growth.
The president also highlighted the government’s efforts to liberalise the economy, enhance labour skills, and encourage foreign investment in mining and manufacturing. He also mentioned the financial support given to the poor including women and youth to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and his government’s free education initiative.
Bio then highlighted a string of measures to be taken in the coming weeks and months saying: “Government will undertake necessary security actions meant to guarantee the peace and security of all citizens. While these may cause some unavoidable inconveniences, Government’s actions will guarantee all constitutional rights and freedoms of peaceful citizens”.
On the officers who died that day in the line of duty the president said: “As a Government, we will honour the Police officers who were murdered with a civic funeral in respect of their service to this nation. Their deaths shall not be in vain and we will bring their killers and those responsible for their deaths to justice”.
The violent protests on Wednesday left some six police officers and 21 civilians dead.
In another development, there have been changes in the leadership of the military, with Lieutenant-General Peter K Lavahun now Chief of Defence Staff of the Army. His predecessor Lt. Gen. Sullay I Sesay has retired.
Brigadier Dauda Alpha who was Brigadier –General has now been promoted Major –General and Joint Force Commander.
Also, the promoted Major Gen. Christian F Marah is Chief of Staff, Ministry of Defence.
Navy Captain Philip Juana got promoted to Commodore and appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Staff.
The other appointed Assistant Chiefs of Defence Staff are Brig. –Gen. Abubakar Conteh,the promoted Brig.Gen. Michael S Kamara, and also the promoted Air Commodore John AS Gbondo.
Two other Brigadiers Ronnie B Harleston and Joseph S Kaimapo were also retired.
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