ANTI- SLPP GOVERNMENT PROTEST AND STRIKE PARALYZE BUSINESSES AND LIFE IN SIERRA LEONE ONCE AGAIN
August 8, 2022
By KABS KANU
The capital, Freetown, and some major towns in Sierra Leone have been paralyzed once again by another anti-government protest and sit-home strike designed to send a very strong message again to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party ( SLPP) government that the people are fed up with their incompetent leadership and the hardship, uncontrollable price hikes of food and basic commodities, rampant corruption, tribalism, human rights abuses and disrespect for women, the rule of law and the constitution.
The city and its surburbs are ghost towns once again as businesses and schools are closed ; street hawkers and sellers, public transport drivers and workers in the administrative districts of major towns stayed home in compliance with the strike and life is paralyzed everywhere.
The protest this time , which has been planned during the past two or three weeks , is supposed to continue till Wednesday, when it will climax with street demonstrations, according to organizers.
The organization that planned this latest action against the SLPP calls itself the PPP–People’s Power in Politics –and is led by the popular social media commentator in Holland, Adebayor , who is described as King by his many listeners and supporters in Sierra Leone and around the world. This strike action has shown that Sierra Leoneans listen to Adebayor and they obey him, contrary to the belief held by the SLPP that he is a mere rabble- rouser.
Sierra Leoneans interviewed by citizens journalists said they complied with Adebayor’s call for the strike because they are fed up with Maada Bio and his government, which is only capable of delvering failed promises, hardship, tribalism, price increases, joblessness for those who are not Mendes and wasteful overseas travels and chopping of the country’s money .
Photos and videos being posted on the social media show closed shops and businesses and deserted streets in the capital and some parts of the country. People are staying home to send a strong message to President Bio that Sierra Leoneans cannot be taken for granted . Even the ferries to and from Lungi are not running and the Wharfs are deserted.
Photos from even the SLPP STRONGHOLD city of KENEMA also show closed shops and businesses and empty streets .
The successful strike is another big blow to President Bio and even supporters of the SLPP who are fond of downplaying the unpopularity of their government. SLPP supporters are in denial, while the world is crumpling around their party and government.
It is now safe to conjecture that with the people no longer afraid to rise up against President Bio, it will be difficult for him to rig next year’s elections. Bio will no longer be able to impose himself on the people, with such anger being demonstrated towards him.
This is the second successful protest against the SLPP within one month following last month’s July 4 street demonstrations and Stay-home strike staged by women in the country.
WE BRING YOU SOME PHOTOS OF THE CLOSED SHOPS AND GHOST TOWNS IN TODAY’S STRIKE.
EVEN KENEMA, THE SLPP STRONGHOLD, OBEYED THE STRIKE CALL
