By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
The Sierra Leone police(SLP) on its mandate to ensure safety and security of the state to all citizens from all level, has cautioned the leadership of “Disenfranchise Members of the All People’s Congress Party” not to go ahead with their proposed demonstration as permission has not been granted.
This statement originated from a Press release issued from the SLP on Wednesday 11th October 2023.
The Sierra Leone Police confirmed that they received a letter form a group calling itself “Disenfranchise Members of the All People’s Congress Party” requesting authorization from the Inspector General of Police to grant them the permission to stage a demonstration against the de-facto All People’s Congress Executive during the peace mediation meeting.
The SLP added that the request came from an individual who claims the name of Sahr Phillip Mani, introducing himself in the letter as the leader of the process with cell phone number 080681442.
The SLP with total authority highlights the awareness of the said letter which is been shared all over the internet and that warranted them as a reputable management to warn and disassociates itself from given any consent to that letter and setting the records straight in the full respect for every citizen in the state.
Additionally, the SLP points out that the said letter which was brought before the Inspector General was unprofessional and generally unacceptable as it bears no recognized address, even when efforts have been made on several occasions to contact the said leader of the group for a discussion and engagement based on their request, all their efforts have been futile.
The SLP also carried on that it strategy is not the only one initiated to reach out to these faceless protesters, but the administration has also went on to conduct intelligence inquiries by conducting a name check of the signee but the name is proven to be to be false and even the mobile number which was submitted had been tried on numerous occasions but none have made an attempt to respond.
It is with this backdrop that the Sierra Leone Police has made a strong stand and inform the general public that they have not given permission to any purported group or any other group to protest within the prescient of the venue of the proposed dialogue and mediation engagements.
The SLP strongly condemns any individual who attempts to disrupt the process of the dialogue within and around the vicinity.
“Anyone or any group of individuals who attempt to disrupt the process by way of a disguised protest within and around the vicinity of the mediation talks will be contravening the provisions of the public order amendment act 2000 and that will definitely attract lawful and justifiable response from the Sierra Leone Police.”
