On Saturday 10th June 2023, the President of the Sierra Leone Police Wives Association, Mrs. Matilda Doris Sellu in collaboration with the Family Support Unit (FSU) carried out the non-violence elections sensitization in Freetown.
The rationale behind the initiative of Mrs. Sellu is geared towards curbing the incessant incidents of violent related activities in the country in which Police personnel and their relatives sometimes suffer in the hands of these irate youths, with special reference to the August 10 insurrection in Freetown and some parts of the country.
Furthermore, as Sierra Leone will go to the polls, on 24th June 2023, political violence and other related anti-social behaviours have become the order of the day, coupled with the spread of hate speeches and social media incendiary messages among others; thus having the potential to wreak havoc in our respective communities.
In view of the above, the President of the Sierra Leone Police Wives Association, Mrs. Matilda Doris Sellu and a cross-section of her executive sometimes in May 2023, embarked on a nationwide non-violence elections’ sensitizations across the length and breadth of the country to promote peaceful coexistence and enhance political tolerance in various communities before, during and after the multi-tier elections in the country.
The non-violence elections’ activities started at Upgun Roundabout with a composition of Police Wives, civil society representatives, Family Support Unit, Military personnel, Police personnel, Correctional and National Fire Force personnel among others.
Before the commencement of the procession, the President of the Police Wives Association and the Head of FSU gave an overview of the initiative. The Police Regimental Band then led the procession.
The non-violence elections’ procession continued through Kissy Road, East End Police, Abacha Street, Wilberforce and Lightfoot Boston Street on to Police Headquarters.
Mrs Sellu thanked various participants for their frantic efforts in ensuring that the entire event became a success. ACP Fatmata Daboh also reiterated that the synergy forged with the Police Wives President was to enable them disseminate messages of non-violence election especially the involvement of underage children in political violence, as being used as political tool to wreak chaos in societies.
Meaningful contributions were made by the representative of the Republic of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, (RSLAF) Correction Officers and Fire Force.
The keynote address was delivered by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Mr Augustine Magnus Kaillie who ably represented the Inspector General of Police.
He expressed his profound thanks and appreciation to all and sundry for their tireless effort, noting that violence always hinder the development of any nation and that we should condemn violence in any shape or form, for the betterment of our country.
He encouraged all parents to admonish their children to be law-abiding before, during and after the general elections.
SLP MEDIA TEAM
