Protests Over Rising Prices In Sierra Leone Turn Deadly

Protests sparked as a result of rising prices in Sierra Leone have turned deadly, with at least four police officers and an unknown number of protestors killed. Videos show police officers opening fire on protestors in the streets of Freetown, the nation’s capital. Protests escalated this week after protestors began throwing stones at police officers and lighting fires in the streets but were met with escalating violence from the police, who later opened fire on protestors.

Sierra Leone experienced a violent civil war from 1991 to 2002 that displaced many but has remained relatively peaceful since then. Recently, general prices have skyrocketed throughout Sierra Leone due to a combination of factors, including the global food crisis sparked by the invasion of Ukraine and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy. According to the World Food Program, “nearly 30 percent of Sierra Leone’s population suffers from chronic hunger, and more than half of its population lives below the poverty line.”

Protestors blame inaction from the government for the devastating economic crisis and are demanding the resignation of President Julius Maada Bio. Mr. Bio has stated that “peaceful protestors will be fully protected by law enforcement officials” and said he will investigate the deaths of police officers and bring justice to their families.

While the Sierra Leonean government has denounced the “violent” actions of protestors and aims to protect police officers and the government at all costs, many in the international community are denouncing the actions of the government and are calling for protection of the right to peacefully protest. Information Minister for the Sierra Leonean government, Mohamed Rahman Swarray issued a statement that, “Wednesday’s riot was a well-machined act to remove a legitimate government” and called the protests a “failed coup.” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet issued a statement calling for investigations into the deaths of protestors: “I call on the Government of Sierra Leone to hold prompt, impartial, and thorough investigations into yesterday’s violence and bring those responsible to account regardless of their status and political affiliation.”

Violence in any situation, whether sparked by protestors or not, should never be reciprocated. If the government of Sierra Leone truly wants to restore peace throughout the country, it is integral that the government fully investigates any instances of violence at the hand of police and protects the right to peacefully protest. As stated by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, these investigations must be impartial and conducted as soon as possible in order to encourage peace in the country. Democracy is impossible without transparency, so it is integral that the government of Sierra Leone conducts a comprehensive investigation into the violence instigated at the hands of the police. These actions are not only beneficial for the maintenance of democracy, but also may help quell protests themselves as protestors will have more faith in the impartiality of the government.

The violence sparked due to protests in Sierra Leone is unacceptable and has grave consequences for the maintenance of peace throughout the country. It is integral that the government of Sierra Leone fairly investigate each instance of violence and hold those who instigated violence accountable.

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