By Ilyasa Baa
The aftermath of the August 10th and 11th riots in Freetown has left a significant number of youths in hiding, fearing arrest and reprisals from authorities following violent clashes between protesters and security forces. Among them is Sahr Lamin Senessie, whose evasion of authorities has been spurred by a warrant for his arrest and mounting community pressure.
Senessie, along with others, found himself implicated in the riots through a controversial image captured in front of the residence of opposition figure Ms. Madina Ragman. The photo, circulated by law enforcement, has been instrumental in identifying alleged participants in the unrest.
Residents of the Fourah bay community, where Senessie hails from, have taken a staunch stance against fugitives like him, vowing to assist police in their apprehension. One resident, speaking anonymously, emphasized the community’s intolerance towards individuals evading justice, attributing youth involvement in the protests to systemic issues such as unemployment and economic hardship.
In response to the violence, President Julius Maada Bio condemned the protests, labeling them as “terrorism” and blaming Sierra Leoneans abroad for instigating the unrest. He denied claims that the protests were driven by economic grievances, asserting instead that they aimed at destabilizing the democratically elected government.
Echoing the president’s sentiments, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh denounced the protesters as “unscrupulous individuals” responsible for the loss of innocent lives, including security personnel.
The events in Freetown underscore simmering political tensions exacerbated by socio-economic challenges, raising concerns about the fragile stability of the region. As authorities intensify efforts to apprehend suspects and restore order, the underlying grievances fueling the unrest remain unaddressed, posing continued risks to peace and security in Sierra Leone.