Over Political Tension…..
Sierra Leone Police Declares APC Constituency Chairman Wanted.
By Wisdom
As political tensions continue to escalate within the nation Ibrahim Morlai Kebbay has been declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police. It has come to light through various reports that the Sierra Leone People’s Party(Party SLPP), declared the winner of the contentious June 23 elections, is engaged in a troubling campaign of intimidation against its political opponents. Specifically, certain members of the SLPP, in conjunction with government authorities, appear to be orchestrating a widespread initiative aimed at the arrest and harassment of individuals affiliated with the All People’s Congress (APC) party.
One particularly alarming incident on July 15th that underscores this volatile situation involved a brazen attack on the home of the chairman of the APC in Constituency 104, Ibrahim Morlai Kebbay. Reports indicate that his residence was subject to vandalism and looting, leading to significant property damage. The motivations behind this aggressive act seem to be driven by a desire to locate and apprehend him, as he has become a target for the ruling party’s crackdown. Thankfully, the chairman was able to evade capture during the assault. Still, the situation remains grave, as his family has since lost contact with him and is unable to ascertain his whereabouts.
This lack of information about his safety and residence adds to the distress surrounding the ongoing political unrest, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by opposition members in Sierra Leone. The overall atmosphere is one of uncertainty and fear, as the political landscape continues to shift in favour of the ruling party, thereby raising concerns about the rule of law and democratic principles in the region.
When this media outlet launched an investigation into the possible reasons behind the search for Mr Kebbay’s arrest and the attacks on his home, community members shared their insights. They stated that Mr Kebbay was a strong representative of the All People’s Congress Party during the June 23 elections. He successfully mobilised youths to monitor polling stations and prevent the ruling party from rigging the election. His vigilance and readiness to confront any attempts made by the SLPP party made him a target for them.
It has become publicly evident that Mr Kebba, who also serves as the APC Chairman, was once approached by the ruling party (SLPP) to defect and provide support. This offer was made because he is a powerful and respected politician in his communities, both among the grassroots and the elite. He plays a strategic role in mobilising the youth for political activities. His influence makes him a threat to the SLPP, leading to hostility against him after he declined their invitation to join the ruling party. According to reports, Mr. Kebbay was seen vandalising ballot boxes, which resulted in many of them being missing and unavailable for counting.
The police stated that this constitutes an electoral offence under the Public Elections Act of 2022, meaning Mr Kebbay has indeed committed such an offence. However, many believe that the accusations against him are part of a political witch hunt and intimidation tactics.
Many of his colleagues have been arrested, and some have reportedly been unlawfully killed without any accountability, raising concerns about extrajudicial killings. This media outlet attempted to reach Mr Kebbay for comment, but all attempts were unsuccessful. While this media is currently observing the situation, the Sierra Leone Police has issued a warrant for arrest and declared Mr Kebbay wanted. The investigation is ongoing.
