By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
10th December marks the International Day of Human Rights, a day when the global community comes together to reflect on the principles of equality, dignity, and justice. It is a day to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a historic document that Sierra Leone, along with many other nations, is a proud signatory to. Beyond this, Sierra Leone is also a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and countless other international agreements designed to protect fundamental freedoms. These commitments are not merely symbolic; they are enshrined in our national laws, reflecting the aspirations of our people and the responsibilities of our leaders.
Mr. President, I am talking to you not just as a concerned Sierra Leonean but as someone deeply troubled by the trajectory of our nation under your leadership. On this International Day of Human Rights, let us address the glaring question: What have you done to uphold the human rights of our people? More importantly, who should bear responsibility for the egregious violations that have occurred under your watch?
Mr. President, the right to life is sacred. It is the cornerstone of all other rights. Yet, under your administration, we have witnessed a series of extrajudicial killings that have left families shattered and communities grieving. The incidents at Pademba Road, the violent deaths during the protests in Makeni, Tonko Limba, and Mile 91, and the tragic events of August 9th, 10th, and 11th in 2022 stand as dark stains on your administration’s record. These were not nameless victims; they were sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers, Sierra Leoneans whose lives were cut short without due process.
Where is the accountability? Where is the justice? To date, not a single comprehensive report has been released on these incidents. The perpetrators remain unpunished, and your office has remained disturbingly silent. Mr. President, silence in the face of injustice is complicity. It is time for you to break that silence and provide the nation with answers. What happened at Pademba Road? Who is responsible for the killings? Why have individuals like Lawrence Leema and Fatmata Sawaneh not been held accountable? Justice delayed is justice denied, and the people of Sierra Leone are still waiting.
Mr. President, the culture of impunity has seeped into every corner of our society. Women and children are being raped with alarming regularity, and the perpetrators often walk free. Survivors and their families cry out for justice, but their pleas are met with indifference. The police, instead of being protectors of the people, have become enforcers of state oppression. They arrest individuals for simply requesting security for planned protests. They muzzle free speech, intimidate journalists, and stifle dissent.
Mr. President, why has your government decided to treat free speech and the press as enemies? These are fundamental pillars of democracy, enshrined in both our Constitution and the international agreements we have signed. Power belongs to the people, not to the government. The people elected you, and their voices must not be silenced.
The Sierra Leone Police, once envisioned as a force to protect and serve the citizenry, now seems more interested in protecting the government at the expense of the people. The recent arrest of individuals planning peaceful protests is a glaring example of this. Protests are not acts of rebellion; they are expressions of democratic rights. When the police suppress such actions, they betray their mandate and erode public trust.
Mr. President, what message does it send when the police are allowed to act with impunity? What message does it send when officers accused of brutality and misconduct face no consequences? The police must understand that their loyalty is to the nation and its citizens, not to any political party or administration.
Mr. President, the people of Sierra Leone are watching you. They are fed up with the frequent trips abroad, the pompous launches of projects that never materialize, and the lack of tangible progress in their daily lives. They are disillusioned by your apparent disinterest in addressing the real issues plaguing our nation. Instead of holding a “Media Night” to court the press, you should have addressed the nation directly and provided answers about the killings and injustices occurring under your leadership.
Leadership demands presence, especially in times of crisis. It demands empathy, transparency, and accountability. Yet, your administration has failed to provide any of these. Instead, you have focused on superficial achievements that have no positive bearing on the lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
Mr. President, accountability is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength. It demonstrates respect for the rule of law and for the people you were elected to serve. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights obligate states to protect their citizens and uphold their rights. By failing to address these violations, your administration is failing the very people it is meant to serve.
On this International Day of Human Rights, I urge you to take the following steps: Release comprehensive reports, Provide full and transparent reports on the Pademba Road incident, the August 2022 protests, and other killings. Publish these reports for public scrutiny and ensure justice is served.
Ensure that individuals like Lawrence Leema and Fatmata Sawaneh and many others who perpetrated violence on the people are investigated and, if found guilty, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Address the culture of impunity by empowering the judiciary to act independently and swiftly on cases of human rights violations.
Reorient the police force to prioritize the protection of citizens over the interests of the government. Provide proper training on human rights and establish mechanisms to hold officers accountable for misconduct.
Repeal any laws or policies that muzzle the press and stifle dissent. Encourage open dialogue and criticism as part of a healthy democracy.
Provide resources and support for survivors of violence, including rape victims, and ensure that their cases are treated with the urgency and seriousness they deserve.
Mr. President, the people of Sierra Leone are not asking for miracles; they are asking for justice, dignity, and respect. They are asking for a government that listens, acts, and delivers. As the leader of this nation, you have the power to change the narrative. You have the power to restore faith in our institutions and in the rule of law.
On this International Day of Human Rights, I call on you to rise to the occasion. Be the leader that Sierra Leone deserves. Address the nation, acknowledge the failures of your administration, and outline a clear path forward. The people are watching, and history will judge your legacy.
