By Santigie Sankoh
Twenty-years old political protester Saidu Bangura is presently on the run to preserve his life after his mother and friend were both killed in the deadly protest of Wednesday 10th August, 2022.
Saidu whose mother was a Ward chairlady for the main opposition All People’s Congress Party was shot dead by armed police officers around Black Hall Road in the East end of Freetown, is presently at large amidst thorough search by family members.
John Bangura 53, Saidu’s paternal uncle said they are depressed at the sudden disappearance of his niece and would understand if he fled the country to save his life.
“Saidu is the son of my deceased elder brother, he has been a good child and we love him for his humility and humbleness. His penchant for the All People’s Congress Party where his mother is a Ward Chairlady has landed him in hot waters.”
“On the morning of Wednesday August 10th 2022, Saidu and his mother Rugiatu Kamara left home to demonstrate against the economic hardship in the country. Unfortunately, the mother never make it home, she was killed along Black Hall Road Kissy by armed police officers after the Vice President declared a nationwide curfew. As am speaking now we have confirmed and identify the corpse of Rugiatu Kamara at the Cannaught Hospital mortuary but the government has refused giving us the body for proper burial.”
“Since the incident we have not seen Saidu nor hear from him. I will understand if he fled the country since his life is not safe here. Few days ago a truck load of armed military and police officers came here looking for him and everyone that partook in the protest. They promised to do everything in their powers to apprehend him dead or alive.” He stated.
James Kanu a friend of Saidu revealed to this medium that he saw Saidu during the demonstration, and confirmed that Saidu was at the scene where his friend Abu Bakarr Sesay was shot dead by police. He said they all fled the environment in search of rescue. He disclosed that Saidu told him he was headed for Guinea since he cannot guarantee his safety in the country.
Osman Foday Yansaneh, Deputy Leader and Chairman of the All People’s Congress Party said the happenings of August 10th is a statement of how far the government can go to stiful citizens off their rights to free speech and freedom of association. He said the party did not actually organize any protest but that aggrieved citizens about the current state of affairs in the country took upon themselves to demonstrate for a better life. He concluded that the party lost important grassroot members of the party and would like the intervention of the international community.
Information Minister Mohamed Rahman Swarray said the August 10th was not a demonstration but a ploy to unseat a democratically elected government. He confirmed that the government together with the security sector will do all in their powers to maintain peace and prosecute the ringleaders of the demonstration.
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world and a place where citizens cannot freely exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, expression and association.
