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| Government of Sierra Leone | ||||
| Press Release |
IT WILL BE RECALLED THAT DISTURBANCES OCCURRED IN KONO ON 3RD SEPTEMBER 2011 AND IN BO CITY ON 9TH SEPTEMBER 2011 WHICH UNDERMINED THE PEACE AND SECURITY OF THE STATE. IN THE CASE OF KONO, HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT DIRECTED THE POLICE TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT IN WHICH THE ENTOURAGE OF THE MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS WAS ATTACKED LEADING TO SKIRMISHES AND THE DISCHARGE OF GUN SHOTS BY THE MINISTER’S SECURITY GUARDS. CONCERNING THE DISTURBANCES IN BO, HIS EXCELLENCY CONSTITUTED A BROAD-BASED INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION PANEL TO LOOK INTO THE STONING OF THE SLPP PRESIDENTIAL FLAGBEARER, THE BURNING DOWN OF BUILDINGS, AND THE SHOOTING AND INJURIES SUSTAINED BY SEVERAL PERSONS.
THE POLICE HAVE CONCLUDED THEIR INVESTIGATIONS ON THE KONO INCIDENT, AND SUBMITTED A REPORT TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT ON 30TH SEPTEMBER 2011. THE EVIDENCE ADDUCED INDICATES THAT THE ATTACK WAS NOT SPONTANEOUS BUT HAD BEEN PRE-PLANNED BY 12 UNSCRUPULOUS PERSONS BENT ON DISRUPTING LAW AND ORDER. THE REPORT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND THE PROSECUTION OF THESE SUSPECTS FOR SEVERAL OFFENCES WILL COMMENCE SHORTLY.
IN THE CASE OF THE INCIDENT IN BO, THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION PANEL CHAIRED BY MR KELVIN LEWIS OF THE SIERRA LEONE ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS PRESENTED ITS REPORT TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT ON 30TH SEPTEMBER 2011. GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PANEL AND ASSURES THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THEY WILL BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED. OVER 40 PERSONS WILL SOON BE CHARGED TO COURT TO THE INTENT THAT THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW WILL BE BROUGHT TO BEAR.
IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT IN SPITE OF STRENUOUS EFFORTS ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT PEACE, SECURITY AND STABILITY PREVAIL WITHIN A TRULY DEMOCRATIC ENVIRONMENT, SOME ILL-MOTIVATED PERSONS CONTINUE TO STOKE UP THE FLAMES OF CHAOS AND ANARCHY THEREBY EXPOSING PEACEFUL CITIZENS TO HARM AND DANGER. ONCE AGAIN, GOVERNMENT STRONGLY CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN ALL ITS FORMS, AND REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO TAKE EVERY NECESSARY STEP TO GUARANTEE THAT OUR HARD WON PEACE IS MAINTAINED. GOVERNMENT ALSO ASSURES THE ENTIRE NATION THAT THE LIVES AND PROPERTIES OF ALL CITIZENS WILL BE PROTECTED.
GOVERNMENT STRONGLY APPEALS TO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES TO PROVIDE RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH MODERN DEMOCRATIC BEST PRACTICE, FAILING WHICH IT WILL HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO USE THE PROVISIONS OF SIERRA LEONE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW TO ENSURE THAT THE RULE OF LAW REIGNS SUPREME.
IN CONCLUSION, GOVERNMENT WISHES TO THANK THE CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS, INDIVIDUALS AND GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES THAT CONSTITUTED THE PANEL FOR THEIR TIMELY SUBMISSION OF A GOOD REPORT. THEY ARE ASSURED THAT THEIR PATRIOTIC RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF NATIONAL DUTY IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED.
IT BEHOVES US ALL TO STRIVE FOR UNITY, FREEDOM AND JUSTICE IN OUR BELOVED COUNTRY.
END
STATE HOUSE
FREETOWN 5TH OCTOBER 2011
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