Published September 27th, 2022
Mohamed Sembu Conteh, who resides at No. 4 Newcastle Street, Kissy, east of the capital Freetown, and his father, Abu Conteh, who has been out of the country since 2018, have been allegedly accused of incitement and other related matters. The Sierra Leone police have issued a warrant of arrest for both of them.
Reports say Mohamed Sembu Conteh took part in the August 10, 2022, protest, which was held for the high cost of living and increased youth unemployment in Sierra Leone.
The police engaged protesters, including Mohamed Sembu Conteh, who is one of the ring leaders around the Kissy community, in running battles, leaving 31 dead, including six police officers. Angered by the number of casualties they incurred, the police and army officers embarked on reprisal killings on the evening of the same day during a house-to-house search.
The violent situation forced Mohamed Sembu Conteh out of his home. He hid in a neighbor’s house after one of his friends, Abdul Bangura, was allegedly shot dead by the police. His relatives, including his mother, were tortured as one of her sisters was shot, leaving her with injuries.
According to our investigation, Mohamed Sembu Conteh’s father, Abu Conteh, left Sierra Leone for abroad in 2018 after the general elections. Supporters of the ruling party accused both of them of being strong supporters of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party.
An Executive member of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) accused Abu Conteh of inciting Sierra Leonean citizens to protest against the current government by sending dangerous messages from abroad on social media in order to make the current government unpopular.
A team of police officers arrested Mohamed Sembu Conteh and others and locked them in a police cell for several days. He was later charged in court for riotous conduct and incitement after spending several days in detention. He attended court sittings but refused bail on several occasions. He was later granted bail. He refused to attend court on two occasions, and several others were declared wanted by the police.
He left Sierra Leone before a curfew was proclaimed by the government. It is reported that Kamara had left Guinea for a safe haven.
The warrant of arrest, however, remains in force for Mohamed Sembu Conteh, although nobody knows his whereabouts at the moment.
We also understand that his father, Abu Conteh, is under serious threats from supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party, alleging that they will manhandle him whenever he steps foot in the country.
