By Alpha Amadu Jalloh—Author of Monopoly of Happiness: Unveiling Sierra Leone’s Social Imbalance.
Mr. President, my friend and my leader, I am compelled once again to ask: Can we talk? The events unfolding under your watch demand our attention. The live televised arrest of Hawa Hunt was just one of many incidents that call into question your administration’s commitment to justice, equality, and the rights of Sierra Leoneans.
When I criticize your leadership, you often look at me with a knowing expression, as though to warn me that I could be the next target of intimidation. Mr. President, even as I pen this piece, I am receiving threats from your surrogates and those close to you. These threats are not just to silence me but to silence the voices of all Sierra Leoneans who dare to speak truth to power.
Your administration, Mr. President, has increasingly weaponized the police and the Office of National Security (ONS). These institutions, which should protect the people, are being used to intimidate, harass, and suppress dissent. Sierra Leoneans are being treated differently based on political affiliations, regional backgrounds, and personal connections. This divisive approach is tearing apart the very fabric of our nation.
Let us dissect the Hawa Hunt saga. While I do not condone profanity or reckless speech, the manner of her arrest live on national television was a sensationalized display of power. It was designed to send a chilling message to anyone who might dare challenge you or your administration.
Contrast this with the case of Nasiru Kai Kai. This individual openly declared on social media that if he is not granted the leadership of the SLPP by 2026, he will bring war to Sierra Leone. He even boasted of having secured three million United States dollars to fund his plan. Yet, Nasiru remains untouched.
Another example is Jobo, who issued a direct threat to your Minister of Youth Affairs, Orman Bangura, demanding his dismissal while putting his safety on the line. Jobo said if he is not removed within 24 hours, the people will rise, especially in Bo and Moyamba, all in the South of the country, your party’s stronghold. Despite this brazen act, no action has been taken against him. Is it because Jobo and Kai Kai hail from your region or are members of your party? “na pekin dem,” shielded from accountability?
Mr. President, these double standards undermine your leadership and the rule of law. They erode trust in your government and deepen divisions among Sierra Leoneans.
The bias and partiality in your administration are not only troubling but dangerous. Your Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, seems ever ready to pounce on perceived enemies of your government. From the arrest of opposition figures to the suppression of protests, the police under his leadership have become an instrument of fear.
The tragic outcomes of police brutality, including the deaths of innocent civilians, weigh heavily on your administration’s conscience. How can we claim to be a democratic nation when citizens are afraid to express themselves or to demand their rights?
Your government has fostered an environment where dissent is met with intimidation, and loyalty to the ruling party is rewarded with impunity. This is not governance, Mr. President; it is authoritarianism in disguise.
Your wife, the First Lady Fatima Bio, once stated that only SLPP members are true Sierra Leoneans. As outrageous as this claim was, it appears to reflect the reality of your administration’s approach. Those outside your political circle are treated as second-class citizens, while your supporters enjoy privileges and protection.
This mindset is dangerous and unbecoming of a leader who claims to serve all Sierra Leoneans. It is your duty, Mr. President, to ensure that every citizen, regardless of their political or regional affiliation, is treated with fairness and dignity.
Your administration’s selective approach to justice and governance is fueling resentment and division. Sierra Leone is a diverse nation, and our strength lies in our unity. Yet, under your leadership, regionalism and favouritism are deepening the divides.
The treatment of Hawa Hunt versus Nasiru Kai Kai and Jobo is a glaring example of this bias. While one is paraded as a criminal, the others are allowed to spew dangerous rhetoric without consequence. This sends a clear message: justice in Sierra Leone is not blind but rather guided by political and regional affiliations.
Mr. President, leadership is not about favouring those who share your background or political ideology. It is about serving all citizens equally and upholding the principles of justice and fairness. Your administration’s actions suggest otherwise, and the consequences are dire.
When citizens lose faith in their government, they begin to seek alternative means of justice. This creates a breeding ground for unrest and instability. Sierra Leone has endured too much in its history to allow such a path to be revisited.
Mr. President, I urge you to reflect on the direction your administration is taking. The arrests, intimidation, and bias are not the hallmarks of a progressive and democratic government. They are the actions of a regime clinging to power at the expense of its people.
The threats I face for telling the truth to power are a testament to the climate of fear your administration has cultivated. But I will not be silenced, because the truth must be spoken, no matter the cost.
Hawa Hunt’s arrest should serve as a turning point. It is not too late to course correct. Justice must be impartial, and the rights of every Sierra Leonean must be respected.
Mr. President, can we talk? Yes, not as adversaries, but as Sierra Leoneans who share a common goal of building a better nation. You have the power to lead with integrity and fairness. You have the power to unite rather than divide.
The question is, will you use that power for the good of all Sierra Leoneans, or will you continue down this path of selective justice and intimidation?
The choice is yours, Mr. President. History will judge you not by your words, but by your actions. Sierra Leone deserves better. See you on Wednesday, Insha Allah.
