By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
The Fula community in Sierra Leone, one of the country’s most industrious and historically significant ethnic groups, has been left disillusioned and yearning for justice following the shocking events of December 15, 2024. What transpired that day, an aggressive crackdown purportedly targeting “foreigners,” has sparked outrage and a deep sense of betrayal among the Fulas. Despite promises from the government of President Julius Maada Bio, the community’s demands for accountability, transparency, and reparative action have largely gone unanswered.
This incident has raised urgent questions: Does the government view the Fula people, many of whom have lived in Sierra Leone for generations, as outsiders? Is President Bio deliberately avoiding responsibility, or is he playing a dangerous game of delay and deflection, hoping the issue will fade away with time?
On this fateful day, members of the Fula community were subjected to what many have described as tribal profiling, mass arrests, and discrimination. The operation, led by the Sierra Leone Police and the Office of National Security (ONS), was reportedly justified as a measure against illegal foreign residents in Sierra Leone. The troubling remarks of John Avayama Caulker, head of the ONS, confirmed that the operation to arrest foreigners. But this rationale begs a deeply concerning question: Are all Fulas in Sierra Leone considered “foreigners”?
The Fula people have long been an integral part of Sierra Leone’s social and economic fabric. They are citizens, traders, educators, and public servants, contributing to the country’s development. Yet, this operation suggested otherwise, subjecting them to indignities that no citizen should endure.
Following the incident, the Fula community organized a press conference, demanding the following:
1. A public condemnation of the actions of the police and ONS.
2. An immediate investigation into the operation and those responsible for its execution.
3. A meeting with President Julius Maada Bio to address their grievances.
To date, only the first demand has been partially addressed. The government issued a lukewarm statement through the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, vaguely condemning the “misunderstanding” surrounding the operation. However, this response failed to name those responsible or take any tangible steps toward accountability.
The president also promised to establish an investigative committee. Yet, over three weeks later, no progress has been made, and no report has been published. Instead, the issue appears to have been sidelined, with the president claiming he is too busy to meet with the Fula Joint Committee, a coalition representing all Fula organizations in the country.
The Fula community, showing patience and goodwill, accepted the president’s initial condition for a meeting: the presence of Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, a Fula himself. The vice president was away during the incident, and upon his return, he expressed regret, asserting that the events would not have occurred had he been in the country.
Despite the vice president’s return, no meeting has been held. Instead, the president continues to receive other delegations and attend various engagements, yet he has not found at least 30 minutes to address the legitimate concerns of the Fula community.
This disregard has fueled suspicions that the president is intentionally dragging his feet, perhaps hoping that public attention will shift elsewhere. This strategy is reminiscent of how former U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the COVID-19 pandemic, expecting it to “disappear.”
The most pressing question remains unanswered: Who gave the orders for this operation? The suggestion that such a significant action could take place without the president’s knowledge or approval is implausible. In Sierra Leone’s centralized governance structure, directives of this magnitude typically require the blessing of the highest authority.
If, as the president claims, he was unaware of the operation, then the situation is even more alarming. It would suggest a breakdown in governance, where senior officials like the Inspector General of Police and the head of the ONS can act unilaterally, targeting an entire community without oversight.
The Fula community has rightly demanded the immediate dismissal of Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu and John Avayama Caulker. Accountability must begin at the top, and if these men acted without the president’s consent, their continued presence in office is indefensible.
This incident also casts a shadow over Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s leadership. As a Fula himself and a senior member of the administration, he bears a unique responsibility to advocate for his community. However, his inability or unwillingness to initiate an internal investigation raises questions about his influence within the government.
Furthermore, the president’s decision to block the Inspector General of Police and the head of ONS from appearing before parliament for questioning is deeply troubling. Why would he shield these officials from accountability? What does he fear might be revealed?
The Fula community has faced prejudice and marginalization before, but nothing on this scale has occurred since 1982. The current incident is not just a violation of their rights but a chilling reminder of how fragile their position in society can be when leadership fails to uphold justice.
Sierra Leonean Fulas all over the world have expressed their frustration, pointing out that this is not just a Fula issue; it is a national issue. When any group in Sierra Leone is targeted, it undermines the principles of equality and unity upon which the nation was founded.
The promised investigative committee must be established immediately, with a clear mandate to identify those responsible and recommend appropriate actions.
If the Inspector General of Police and the head of ONS are found culpable, they must be removed from their positions.
President Bio must meet with the Fula Joint Committee to hear their concerns directly. This meeting is not just a courtesy; it is a necessary step toward reconciliation.
The government must enact measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, ensuring that no community in Sierra Leone is subjected to similar treatment.
Both President Bio and Vice President Jalloh must show that they are committed to justice for all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of ethnicity or background.
The events of December 15, 2024, have exposed deep fractures in Sierra Leone’s governance and social fabric. For the Fula community, it is a painful reminder that their citizenship and contributions to the nation can still be questioned.
President Julius Maada Bio has a choice to make: He can either address this issue head-on, demonstrating true leadership, or continue to sidestep responsibility, allowing injustice to fester.
The Fula community and indeed the nation, are watching closely. Justice delayed is justice denied, and the longer the president remains silent, the louder the calls for accountability will become.
