A wave of arrests of some members of Sierra Leone’s biggest opposition–The All People’s Congress ( APC)–by the ruling SLPP Government of President Maada Bio has heightened tensions in the country ahead of crucial presidential, parliamentary and council elections this month.
The continued intimidation, harassment and arrests of opposition members has cast serious doubts on the commitment to conduct free, fair and credible elections in Sierra Leone and many people are wondering whether the SLPP Government wants peace or it wants to push Sierra Leone into another war.
WE BRING YOU REPORTS AND TWEETS OF THESE ARRESTS
Police Arrest Former US Army Official in Bo
By Matthew Frizter
Police in Sierra Leone have arrested and detained a former member of the United States Army, Alpha Sheriff popularly called APC Sheriff around Bo in the Southern Region of Sierra Leone. Details of his arrest are sketchy but many believe, Sheriff who holds both Sierra Leonean and US Citizenship has been the subject of police intimidation over his affiliation with the main opposition party in Sierra Leone. The sheriff was said to have been arrested alongside members of a private security group protecting the APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Chernor Ramadan Maju aka Chericoco who was in the City of Kenema on a campaign trail. In Kenema, APC supporters were earlier said to have come under attack by ruling party supporters, and the township was said to be in a state of unease for several hours.
Sierra Leone is two weeks to general elections with incumbent President Julius Maada Bio facing a formidable opponent, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Samura Kamara. Tensions have been on the rise with supporters of the main opposition on the receiving end of state-sponsored thuggery and police intimidation. It has also been confirmed that ruling party supporters in Kenema had obstructed the APC party rally in the township by mounting roadblocks and physically assaulting anyone in APC campaign colours. This is not the first time Sheriff has been targeted by state security forces simply because of his affiliation with the All People’s Congress party. He was also part of those arrested and detained by the police during an attack at the APC headquarters in 2020.
ALPHA SHERIFF IN HANDCUFFS
Arthur E Pearce Movement Press statement on his arrest
The public is advised that Arthur Pearce, the former Western Area Chairman of NGC, who is now a member of the APC Communications and Media Team, has been the victim of a concerted and vitriolic campaign by members of Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella’s failed NGC party, which has betrayed the trust of Sierra Leoneans.
Yesterday, Mr Pearce played an instrumental role at the meeting of the Consortium of Progressive Political Parties (CoPPP), where Dr Samura Kamara and Hon Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah, were unanimously endorsed by CoPPP.
Mr Pearce subsequently held a meeting at which Executive and Members of NGC party in Constituency 125, resigned from the failed NGC and declared to join the APC.
Pearce’s rejuvenation, following a two-month break from the political stage has irked criminal minded individuals within NGC, a party which lacks discipline, values, and a moral compass.
A member of the NGC created a WhatsApp account in Arthur Pearce’s name, using his profile picture and photo of Dr Samura Kamara as a background. The account is then used by the individual to send messages, which are potentially likely to breach the Cybercrime laws of Sierra Leone, in a brazen attempt to get Mr Pearce arrested and charged with Cybercrime offences.
Screenshots of discussions among NGC members, including Theophilus Morrison (aka DJ Million), Tcho Gbabior (aka Laelow) and Abu Coomber (aka Abu Coomber), all prominent and active members within NGC’s Communications and Media Team have been obtained. In the exchanges, they discuss reporting Mr Pearce to the police, with the intention that he would be arrested, based on the false information emanating from the rogue account.
The public is advised that these messages do not come from Arthur Pearce, nor has he authorised by them.
The attention of the Inspector General of Police is also drawn to this rogue account and malicious and vexatious activity.
Kandeh Yumkella, Jesmed Suma, Amadu Sheriff, Andrew Keili and leaders of NGC are being called upon to distance themselves from this malicious, vile and unacceptable behaviour within their party and to take immediate action to put an end to it.
It is very unfortunate how low some members of NGC, have chosen to conduct themselves and how they have lost sense of the real purpose of being involved in politics.
These desperate efforts will not deter Mr Pearce from his mission to mobilise support within the Western Area and beyond, to secure the election of Dr Samura Kamara and Hon Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah, as the next President and Vice President of Sierra Leone and to move the country in the right direction.
Photos of the fake account and the exchanges between NGC members are accompanying this press release.
ALLAN LAKE GAVE THE FOLLOWING UPDATE ON THE SIERRA LEONE TELEGRAPH READERS’ FORUM
I am made to be aware this morning that couple of items were taken by the police during the search of Arthur and Rachel Pearce’s home, yesterday.
These include documents, ID cards, APC registration Certificates of members that declared with Arthur and a list that includes names and telephone numbers of people that declared and registered with him for the APC party. The attention of the APC is drawn to the seizure of these items, so that they can take action to protect their members and retrieve the seized items.
As the list may include names of people on this forum, please take note and do not be surprised or alarmed if you find yourself in a similar position as Arthur, in the coming days.
These are the desperate actions of a failed regime in its last days. The redemption of the people of Sierra Leone from economic catastrophe, extra-judicial killings and rampant kleptocracy, is 13 days away.
Please remain focused and resolute and continue with mobilising support for change on 24 June 2023.
I was assured last night that a number of measures are being put in place today, to effect his release. Hopefully, he will be released today, although I do not want to raise anyone’s hopes, as release from CID at weekends is near impossible.
Keep faith and keep him in your thoughts and prayers and remember that we are all *ARTHUR E PEARCE*.
BIO / PAOPA, MUST GO AND WILL GO