The leadership of the All People’s Congress (APC) has made it clear in a press statement that if need be they will face the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) fire for fire before, during, and after the June 24 general elections this year.
A press statement, issued by the party yesterday (28th February 2023) partly stated that, “Let us make this very clear; no intimidation tactics, harassment, arrests or bullying will scare us. We will not be fazed…. What was clearly evident was scare on their part so they resorted to intimidation. Rest assured, the APC will only take power through democratic means. The All People’s Congress vehemently condemns all these acts of violence, harassment and gross human rights abuses meted by State Security Forces. We note that these worrying conducts of State Security Forces do not bear well on our democracy…”
The APC called “on the President Bio-led government to condemn these acts and facilitate the swift investigation of perpetrators to dispel any belief that the government had any hand in the intimidation and assault of our members”.
The party also demanded “a level playing field for all political parties. We must be given the freedom within the laws to operate just as is being done for the SLPP and its flagbearer…”
But despite the APC is reported to be determined to face the SLPP fire for fire, it stated in that press statement that, “We continue to urge our members to remain law abiding, as the APC Party, the-government-in-waiting, will not afford to jeopardize the peace of our nation. Our resolve is to see a peaceful and prosperous Sierra Leone. We will use lawful and democratic means to gain power. We refuse to be provoked. We are concerned about the business of ameliorating the harsh living conditions of compatriots. We are busy devising workable ways to get our economy better and our nation once again on an upward trajectory. The APC Party is focused on saving the nation of Sierra Leone and would continue to utilize all lawful avenues to make its voice heard and rely on the International Community to protect our peace…”
The APC was reacting to the violent attacks on some of its officials and supporters allegedly perpetrated by state apparatus on 22 February 2023 during the return to Freetown of its flagbearer, Dr Samura Kamara, and its newly elected National Executive after having been given full permission and cover by the Sierra Leone Police.
It could be recalled that the APC said it “received reports of violent and unprovoked physical attacks on our National Secretary General, Mr Lansana Dumbuya, and his entourage; the driver and security personnel of the Mayor of the Freetown Municipality Her Worship Yvonne Aki Sawyerr; Madam Jennifer Kargbo a former aspirant for the position of deputy national chairperson of the party and the occupants of her vehicle; the seizure of the vehicle and other effects of Mahmoud Tarawally former Deputy Minister of Lands; the beating, molestation and temporary detention of retired AIG Karrow–Kamara and a multitude of other supporters and sympathisers, all perpetrated by State Security forces (Military Officers) believed to be members of the Presidential Guard Force, in no less a place but at a checkpoint spontaneously mounted close to the State Lodge at Hill Station in Freetown”.