By Abu Shaw
The Stay at Home Demonstrations yesterday turned the streets nationwide absolutely empty like graveyards. Suffering and unhappy people responded massively to the call for the Sit-Down Strike which apparently paralysed the government of President Julius Maada Bio. The clarion call for the Sit-Down Strike was made by Sierra Leone’s most famous social media activist Adebayor which coincided with Sierra Leone’s 62nd Independence Anniversary celebration yesterday. Unfortunately, there was nothing to celebrate considering the depth of ways the ruling SLPP regime has plunged the nation. Yes, it was a national holiday yesterday but never in history has most Sierra Leoneans stayed at home during holidays. Petty traders, stores, and small shops, Okadas, and Taxis closed down yesterday, a clear indication of the unhappiness and suffering in the country.
Sierra Leoneans did hail Adebayor’s Sit-Down Strike appeal after five years of President Bio’s tyranny and despotic rule. Adebayor, real name Mr William Kamara, had appealed to all Sierra Leoneans to declare yesterday as Black Independence Day to highlight, and not celebrate, the ongoing untold suffering in the country due to President Bio’s maladministration since April 4, 2018, when his failed SLPP party took power. In solidarity with Adebayor’s patriotic call, most citizens sat at home yesterday. Thank goodness, every true Sierra Leonean obeyed Adebayor’s call and stayed at home much to the disappointment of the failed killing machine called SLPP Paopa junta regime. No wonder, Sierra Leone is officially the most unhappy nation in Africa and the third unhappiest in the world. (Photos: Streets were deserted yesterday).
From the capital Freetown to the north, south and eastern provinces, patriotic citizens stayed in their various homes to send clear messages to President Bio and his corrupt SLPP bandits that their time is up. June 24, 2023, general and presidential elections will be the day the people will send the Bio presidency into the land of no return. The people are obviously hungry and unhappy and tired of President Bio. They spoke loud and clear that they are not enjoying their lives under the SLPP regime. In the last five years of President Bio, the majority of citizens have been subjected to the worst kinds of governance ever experienced in the country. From extrajudicial killings of innocent people, especially in the northwest to human rights violations, and rampant corruption, to violation of the Constitution, to police and military brutality, lack of civil liberties, absence of freedom and justice, etc, the Bio thugs have continued to inflict mayhem.
Not to mention the socio-economic problems inflicted on the vast majority of the people. Yet, President Bio has never come out to bravely say he is sorry for what his violent government had done to the people. The crimes against humanity are noted and President Bio will surely face trial. “Adebayor is God sent to save Sierra Leone. We know that you have sacrificed for this country. We will pray for you for God’s protection. We will listen to you. Not even the incumbent President Bio will get our attention. Adebayor’s order is the last order,” a fervent fan of Adebayor said yesterday after the sit-at-home strike. The international community has also got the message loud and clear from the suffering people of Sierra Leone. All in all, the demonstrations yesterday were a success for patriotism against dictatorship. (Photo: Armed police were deployed yesterday).
Independent Day Commemoration in Port Loko City
By Hassan Bruz, Northern Bureau Chief
Rumours making the rounds on Social Media about the Independent Day Celebrations in the North West District of Port Loko and the City of Port Loko itself might be slightly different from what obtains on the ground. Truly, Port Loko District’s Independent Day Celebrations used to be one of the most thoroughly observed in the Country. This has been the District where Female Indigenes of Port Loko – especially Married Women and those with Marital Partnerships, would prefer their relationship to be terminated, rather than deprived of the right or opportunity to attend the April 27 Celebrations in their Hometown.
Unlike those old good days, such celebrations or commemorations have not been cordially observed in recent years. As a matter of fact, there have been no proper celebrations in the past 4 to 5 years in this part of the Country. Indeed this year’s Independence Day Celebrations are not as eventful as they used to be. Today, the Streets and Roads in the City of Port Loko seemed deserted. Apart from Port Loko Central where the APC Party Office is situated and along the Government Hospital Road where a handful of Traders are about their usual operations, Sendugu, Lungi, and Kambia Roads are as empty as ever. Below are some photos to justify my claim.
