By Mustaph Dumbuya
As Sierra Leone is about to hold it general elections on 24 June, 2023 there has been a high spate of political tension.
Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara is the Presidential Candidate for the All Peoples Congress of the main opposition party who had been raised several concerns and accusing the Sierra Leone Peoples Party the ruling government of President Julius Maada Bio of been suppressing, intimidating, harassing and prevented its supporters to exercise their freedom of expression.
Dr. Samura Kamara has also accused the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) of preventing his supporters including some peaceful sierra Leoneans citizens to demonstrate and exercise their right as stated by the Sierra Leone’s constitution.
He also highlighted several issues that has to do the credibility of the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone (ECSL) including the ruling government of President Julius Maada Bio for changing most of the electoral laws to work in favor of the ruling government.
Since the beginning of the Presidential campaign Dr. Samua Kamara had been faced several attacked by some groups of rugged youths who he referred as SLPP thugs.
On several occasions these thugs had been prevented him with his supporters to campaign in the South-East of the county which the stronghold of the ruling government of President Julius Maada Bio.
These SLPP thugs have been doing such act since the starting of the campaign. SLPP leaders including President Bio has never denounced such intolerant violent behavior. The main opposition party of Samura Kamara has been calling on the incumbent party to refrain from such lawlessness act and create a level playing field for all.
Umarau Napoleon Koroma is the Secretary General for the Sierra Leone People Party in a press conference held on 15 June, 2023 told journalists that his party is peaceful and law-abiding.
The Secretary General also said that the SLPP has been and still continue to create a level playing field for all political parties including the main opposition
He reaffirmed that there will be free fair elections and called on all political parties to go and campaign peacefully for the June 24, 2023 general elections.
