By Kadiatu Sankoh
Civil Rights Activist Christian Musa Gbassa, residing in Lumley, West of Freetown, Sierra Leone, has become a target of the government for his vocal opposition to the current administration led by President Julius Maada Bio. Gbassa, through his Civil Society Campaign Group, has been critical of the government’s policies and has supported peaceful protests as a means of expressing dissent.
The Sierra Leone Police, in a move seen by many as an attempt to stifle opposition and curtail freedom of speech, have repeatedly raided Gbassa’s office and home, seeking his arrest on charges of incitement against the state. Despite the country’s constitution guaranteeing the right to free speech and protest, the authorities have shown a pattern of targeting activists, journalists, and civil rights advocates for their dissenting views.
In the case of Gbassa, his unwavering commitment to defending democracy has made him a thorn in the side of the government, leading to unwarranted harassment and intimidation by the police. The situation reflects a broader trend of crackdown on voices critical of the government in Sierra Leone, where exercising one’s right to free speech is met with unwarranted consequences.
It is imperative for the government to uphold democratic principles, protect the rights of its citizens, and respect dissent as a fundamental aspect of a healthy democracy. Targeting activists like Gbassa only serves to undermine the very values that the government should be upholding and protecting.