Advertisment

Impartial Policing: A Call for Security and Fairness in Sierra Leone Elections

author-image
Quadri Adejumo
New Update
A voter in the elections in Sierra Leone <br> Image Credit: Getty imsges

As political campaigns kick off across the country, it is crucial to remind the Sierra Leone Police Force (SLP) of their responsibility to provide impartial security for all individuals, regardless of their status or political affiliations. Recent press releases from the Sierra Leone Police and the main opposition party, All People's Congress (APC), have sparked a back-and-forth exchange regarding an audio on social media and the Public Order Act No 46 of 1965.

Advertisment

Concerns Raised by Sierra Leone Police and APC

The Sierra Leone Police expressed concerns about the audio circulating on social media, while also reminding the APC about the provisions of the Public Order Act. In response, the APC highlighted citizens' right to peaceful protest, a fundamental right guaranteed in Chapter III of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. Additionally, the APC issued another press release, alleging attacks on their party supporters by supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). They further claimed that the police arrested the APC victims and left the SLPP perpetrators.

Addressing the Issue of Bias Policing

The issue of biased behavior by the Sierra Leone Police is not new to the people of Sierra Leone. The police force has faced accusations of manipulation and control by ruling party politicians over the years. In their 2018 manifesto, the SLPP promised to depoliticize all forces and agencies for effective service delivery. However, despite this promise, the police force has not shown significant improvement, as evident in recent incidents.

It is worth noting that the SLPP itself experienced mistreatment by the police when they were in opposition, leading them to promise to depoliticize the police and other forces. Yet, this promise remains unfulfilled. Now, as the APC finds itself at the receiving end of unfair policing practices, it raises the question of how long Sierra Leoneans will continue to endure this unjust treatmen

Advertisment
Advertisment