Sierra Leone Police Press Release

The attention of the Sierra Leone Police has been drawn to a press statement issued by Brig. Retired Julius Maada Bio, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) presidential nominee for the 2012 presidential election.

The statement claims among other things that certain political parties have embarked on transporting ex-combatants from different parts of the country to register as voters in towns in the southern and eastern provinces and that ex-combatants armed with weapons and other offensive instruments have already been ferried to towns in the said provinces.

The release also states that foreign nationals and ex-combatants from neighbouring countries are being transported into Sierra Leone.

The release also states that for

The release further states that ex-combatants are being remobilized, rearmed and systematically deployed for registration in Moyamba, Bo, Kenema, Zimmi, and Pujehun.

These operations according to the press statement are being financed and supported by official agents of the government.

Contrary to all disarmament obligations of the government, in as much as the Sierra Leone Police is not responsible for determining who is eligible to register or where he or she can do so, mindful of its constitutional responsibility to provide security and maintain law and order throughout the country as in all liberal democracies the Sierra Leone Police takes these allegations very seriously.

Also, since security is a collective responsibility, all Sierra Leoneans should be interested in establishing the veracity or otherwise of these allegations, especially those relating to the alleged rearming of ex-combatants and the importation of ex-combatants from neighbouring countries, it is the responsibility of all of us to work together to achieve sustainable peace.

These allegations, if found to be true have the potential to subvert the security interests of the state as they are likely to generate feelings of hatred, fear, distrust, intolerance, insecurity, uncertainty and relapse into conflict.

The Sierra Leone Police therefore wish to inform the general public that the matter is being investigated and are appealing to anyone including the leadership of the SLPP, to assist the police by providing any useful information they may have regarding these allegations. Any useful information they may have regarding these allegations.

Furthermore, the Sierra Leone Police wishes to assure members of the public that the matter will be investigated fairly and speedily.

The public is hereby informed that there is no cause for alarm as every effort is being made to maintain the security of the country at maximum level.

The police wishes to advise members of the public to go about their normal business.

Francis A Munu, Inspector General of Police, Sierra Leone

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