Concerned Sierra Leoneans have strongly condemned the arrest of civil society activists Mr. Thomas Babadi and Mr. Hadi William by the Sierra Leone Police. The two were detained while representing 12,400 petitioners seeking electoral transparency from the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL). The activists were advocating for the release of disaggregated polling station results from the contentious June 24, 2023, elections.
Critics describe the arrests as an assault on democracy and an infringement of constitutional rights. Peaceful protests, like the one Mr. Babadi and Mr. William planned, are lawful under Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution. Such actions are critical to ensuring accountability and transparency within the country’s electoral process.
The activists, who had informed the police about their peaceful assembly, acted within their rights to demand fair elections. However, the police’s heavy-handed response has sparked outrage among citizens and civil society groups, who view the arrests as a gross violation of fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
Concerned Sierra Leoneans have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the activists and called on the police to respect the democratic rights of citizens. “The role of the police is to protect citizens, not silence them,” a statement read.
The group has also urged the international community, including the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, and diplomatic missions, to closely monitor the situation and hold the Sierra Leonean government accountable for upholding democratic principles.
As tensions rise, many fear that the actions of the Sierra Leone Police could further erode public trust in the country’s democratic institutions and undermine efforts to resolve ongoing electoral disputes.
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