After the November 26 failed coup attempt, human rights groups in Sierra Leone are calling on the government to respect its citizens’ rights.
Several gunmen attacked the Wilberforce military armoury west of Freetown on November 26. Later, the government announced that it was a failed coup attempt. The Government imposed a curfew restricting people’s movement. The security forces have killed a number of people, including Idrissa Kamara, aka leaderboth, who was Ernest Bai Koroma’s close protection officer. At Koroma’s residence in Freetown, another bodyguard was also killed.
House arrest has been imposed on the former president, and allies of his All Peoples Congress are wanted. The daughter of President Koroma is also on the wanted list. A corruption case unrelated to the failed coup attempt is being investigated against the man who ran against President Julius Maada Bio, Dr. Samura Kamara.
Sarafina Kamara of the People’s Power in Politics (PPP) is missing.
In 2017, Sarafina escaped death at the hands of predators, Police declare Sarafina wanted for August 10 violence in Freetown.
At a press conference held on Tuesday 16th August, 2022 at the Police Headquarters in Freetown, the then Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Brima Jah then told journalists they have some 141 suspects in custody and are looking for other persons they have declared wanted.
Earlier, Sarafina S.M. Kamara was declared a wanted by the Sierra Leone Police. A number of people participated in the protest, including Kamara, who used to live on 152 Bai Bureh Road, Brima Lane.
Police said Sarafina, the WPYO’s Lady President, is among the executive members on the run.
The Police requested community assistance in identifying those on the run so they can be brought to justice.
Sarafina was kidnapped by some young men for ritual purposes in 2017. After her kidnappers noticed she was not a virgin, they repeatedly raped and tortured her for days.
As a result of this unfortunate incident, Sarafina was badly traumatized, distressed, suffering from severe internal body pains, and having difficulty breathing, among other medical issues.
There have been reports of secret night raids in most areas of Freetown and its environs, conducted by police and community members loyal to the government, killing and shooting relatives of protesters listed on police wanted lists.
The whereabouts of Sarafina’s husband Sallieu Barrie, her two daughters Fatmatu and Lefeka, and her younger brother Lucky are unknown. There have been several disappearances among members of the PPP following the November 26 2023 failed coup attempt. There is concern among citizens that security forces have executed many people, including some of those serving jail time at the Pademba road prison.
A Sierra Leonean human rights group, CHRDI, urged the Sierra Leonean government to respect citizens’ rights in a press statement. While acknowledging the severity of the current national security crisis and the use of emergency power, the group urges the government to respect the rights of the people.
