Sierra Leone News: Police Detain Five Members of Concern Citizens Group

By Isabella Cassell

The Sierra Leone police have detained five members of the Concern Citizens Group who were calling for peacefully demonstrate to express dissatisfaction over “the current state of the economy, the increase in physical violence, tribalism and the humiliation of opposition political party members and supporters”.

The Head of Police Media, Superintendent Brima Kamara said on Monday September 16, 2019, that the arrest came as a result of members sharing inciting audio and video graphics on WhatsApp in other to create chaos and instability in the country.

He said that the five members were arrested through a covert operation, adding that the police found out that the group has a WhatsApp forum wherein they plan their activities they would be executing during their proposed demonstration.

He said that the group has membership from around world and has representatives in Sierra Leone with one Yusuf Sesay as the leader.

Superintendent Kamara alleged that the group in their audio message said they would target critical institutions and infrastructures, and that they would set ablaze any police officer who tries to stop them during their demonstration.

He said that they will charge the suspect to court after they conclude series of investigations,

The group earlier in a press release dated Monday September 2, 2019 stated that Sierra Leoneans should peacefully demonstrate on Thursday September19, 2019 “to express dissatisfaction in the current state of the economy, the increase in physical violence, tribalism and the humiliation of opposition political party members and supporters”.