By Saidu Jalloh
In a recent appearance on the Wake Up Salone program on AYV, Abdul Karim Will, Director of Strategic Communication for the Office of National Security (ONS), assured citizens of their safety and called for public cooperation in verifying information about security threats. His remarks come at a time when misinformation is rampant on social media, contributing to public unrest.
Mr. Will emphasized that, based on security estimates and analyses, Sierra Leone remains a peaceful country. He urged citizens to play their part in maintaining peace and stability, which are essential for national development and cohesion. “Sierra Leone is peaceful,” he stated, distinguishing between general peace and isolated threats from individuals aiming to destabilize the government.
In light of recent events, including the August 10th protests and the November 26th attempted coup, Mr. Will highlighted the proactive measures being taken to ensure national security. He confirmed that an ECOWAS deployment in Sierra Leone is planned to prevent further conflict. This decision reflects a broader shift among African Heads of State towards proactive rather than reactive peacekeeping strategies.
Addressing public demonstrations, Mr. Will clarified that there is no ban on protests, but proper clearance is required. He distinguished between lawful demonstrations and riotous conduct, referencing the 1965 Public Order Act which outlines the legal framework for public gatherings. “If you jump on the street and begin to do things that are lawless and disorderly, that is not a demonstration,” he explained.
Mr. Will reiterated that organizers of protests must take responsibility for ensuring participants remain peaceful and law-abiding. He stressed the importance of police protection during demonstrations to prevent infiltrators from causing mayhem. “If you go into a demonstration, the police have the right to protect people by providing security along the route,” he said.
He concluded by noting that those who drafted the demonstration laws took great care to consider human behavior, ensuring regulations are in place to prevent civil chaos. “The need for police clearance is to weed out people who pretend to join protests to cause trouble,” he added.
Mr. Will’s statements aim to reassure the public of ongoing efforts to maintain peace while also addressing the challenges posed by misinformation and unlawful actions disguised as protests.
