Why is Youth Ministry Silent Over the Minister’s Alleged Use of Youths as Political Thugs in Tonkolili District
By Richmond B. Tholley
Recent political happenings in the Northern District of Tonkolili, particularly among members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party, are marked by significant unrest and allegations of Thuggery, destruction of valuable properties and burning down of houses.
While the unfortunate actions of members of a political party that brands itself the most peaceful political organisation left the majority flabbergasted, the public is also disturbed that a man appointed to steer the affairs of youths, one of our nation’s assets is found embroiled in the said controversies.
The allegations exposed the youth minister, the youth ministry, and, by extension, the Government of Sierra Leone to public ridicule.
Several reports have indicated that the minister of youth, Mohamed Orman Bangura, with the help of his associates, employed youths as political thugs to create mayhem in the district during the SLPP lower-level elections.
Staggering revelations indicting the minister and linking him to several allegations of employing the youths he was appointed to protect as thugs are coming out every day.
However, members of the public, especially young people, are surprised that the Ministry is silent over the aforementioned incidents surrounding the youth Minister’s alleged unprofessional behaviour and actions that are detrimental to youth.
While the silent? Is it because of the ongoing SLPP flagbearship? While those questions remain unanswered, many believe the minister is hiding under the political umbrella of a senior SLPP stakeholder who is having presidential ambition.
It has been weeks since incidents of alleged use of the country’s youths as political thugs in Mile 91, Magburaka, and other towns around Tonkolili District. In all of those recorded incidents, many youths were injured, exposed to drugs, and arrested.
Such allegations are to be investigated, and perpetrators should be punished.
In the Northern town of Mile 91, it has been reported that Mohamed Orman Bangura allegedly promised some youths overseas travel in exchange for their involvement in violent and thuggish activities – even a known SLPP thug in the town confirm it in a leaked WhatsApp audio clip.
This situation highlights the troubling dynamics of how youths may be incentivized to engage in criminal behaviour through the lure of better opportunities abroad.
Additionally, the recent leaked WhatsApp audio clips of China, a known SLPP thug in Mile 91, could serve as crucial evidence in substantiating these claims.
Evidences such as the leaked audio clips may provide further insights into the interactions and agreements made, potentially holding individuals accountable for their actions.
For the majority of Sierra Leoneans and youths, if the youth minister’s alleged use of the youths as political thugs are left unchecked, they will send a bad signal to youths and question the seriousness of President Bio and his SLPP Government in addressing issues of youths.
The ironical aspect of all of this is the fact that the youth minister was seen going round the world bragging about policies he has put in place for youths – but doing the contrary backhome.
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