1827610 (Refugee)

[2024] AATA 2769

1827610 (Refugee) [2024] AATA 2769 (16 April 2024)

DECISION RECORD

DIVISION:Migration & Refugee Division

REPRESENTATIVE:  Mr Michael Kah (MARN: 9256535)

CASE NUMBER:  1827610

COUNTRY OF REFERENCE:                   Sierra Leone

MEMBER:David McCulloch

DATE:16 April 2024

PLACE OF DECISION:  Sydney

DECISION:The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s 36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.

Statement made on 16 April 2024 at 3:27pm

CATCHWORDS

REFUGEE – protection visa – Sierra Leone – political opinion – All People’s Congress supporter – political violence – killing of the applicant’s parents – detention – disappearance of the applicant’s wife and child – mental health issues – decision under review remitted

LEGISLATION

Migration Act 1958, ss 5(1), 5H, 5J – 5LA, 36, 65, 499
Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2

CASES

Abebe v Commonwealth of Australia (1999) 197 CLR 510
Luu & Anor v Renevier (1989) 91 ALR 39
MIEA v Guo & Anor (1997) 191 CLR 559
Prasad v MIEA (1985) 6 FCR 155
Randhawa v MILGEA (1994) 52 FCR 437
Yao-Jing Li v MIMA (1997) 74 FCR 275       

Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision pursuant to section 431 of the Migration Act 1958 and replaced with generic information which does not allow the identification of an applicant, or their relative or other dependants.

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

1. This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Home Affairs on 24 August 2018 to refuse to grant the applicant a protection visa under s 65 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (the Act).

2. The applicant, who claims to be a citizen of Sierra Leone, applied for the visa on 9 May 2018. The applicant attended an interview with a delegate of the Department on 1 June 2018. The delegate refused to grant the visa.

3. The applicant appeared before the Tribunal on 12 October 2023 at 9.30am to give evidence and present arguments.

4. The Tribunal conducted a second hearing on 9 April 2024 at 9.30am. At that hearing the Tribunal heard from [Witness A] who appeared as a witness by telephone from Sierra Leone.

5. The applicant was represented in relation to the review. The representative attended both hearings.

   CRITERIA FOR A PROTECTION VISA

6. The criteria for a protection visa are set out in s 36 of the Act and Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth). An applicant for the visa must meet one of the alternative criteria in s 36(2)(a), (aa), (b) or (c). That is, he or she is either a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the ‘refugee’ criterion, or on other ‘complementary protection’ grounds, or is a member of the same family unit as such a person and that person holds a protection visa of the same class.

7. Section 36(2)(a) provides that a criterion for a protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the person is a refugee.

8. A person is a refugee if, in the case of a person who has a nationality, they are outside the country of their nationality and, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution, are unable or unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country: s 5H(1)(a). In the case of a person without a nationality, they are a refugee if they are outside the country of their former habitual residence and, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution, are unable or unwilling to return to that country: s 5H(1)(b).

9. Under s 5J(1), a person has a well-founded fear of persecution if they fear being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, there is a real chance they would be persecuted for one or more of those reasons, and the real chance of persecution relates to all areas of the relevant country. Additional requirements relating to a ‘well-founded fear of persecution’ and circumstances in which a person will be taken not to have such a fear are set out in ss 5J(2)–(6) and ss 5K–5LA, which are extracted in the attachment to this decision.

10. If a person is found not to meet the refugee criterion in s 36(2)(a), he or she may nevertheless meet the criteria for the grant of the visa if he or she is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the Minister has substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there is a real risk that he or she will suffer significant harm: s 36(2)(aa) (‘the complementary protection criterion’). The meaning of significant harm, and the circumstances in which a person will be taken not to face a real risk of significant harm, are set out in ss 36(2A) and (2B), which are extracted in the attachment to this decision.

    Mandatory considerations

11. In accordance with Ministerial Direction No.84, made under s 499 of the Act, the Tribunal has taken account of the ‘Refugee Law Guidelines’ and ‘Complementary Protection Guidelines’ prepared by the Department of Home Affairs, and country information assessments prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressly for protection status determination purposes, to the extent that they are relevant to the decision under consideration.

    CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

12. The issue in this case is the credibility of the applicant and whether, on accepted claims, the criteria for protection are fulfilled. For the following reasons, the Tribunal has concluded that the decision under review should be remitted for reconsideration.

13. The applicant’s migration history is cited from the delegate’s decision record and the applicant’s Movement Record. On 28 November 2017 the applicant was granted a Temporary Activity (Subclass GG 408) visa. He arrived onshore holding that visa [in] March 2018. On 9 May 2018 the applicant applied for a Protection (Subclass 866) visa, which is the subject of this review. On 10 May 2018 he was granted a Bridging Visa A, which remains in effect to date of this decision.

14. The following information is apparent from the protection application form. The applicant was born on [date] in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The applicant is of [specified] ethnicity, whose religion is Muslim. The applicant speaks [language]. He has been married since [January 2009] and was married in Sierra Leone. He has [specified family members] who all reside in Sierra Leone. He phones them every day. The applicant spent one week in [Country 1] for work in February 2016. He resided at two different addresses in Freetown, Sierra Leone from [birth] to 2017. [Between specified years] the applicant completed primary school in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The applicant attended secondary school from [year] and withdrew in [year]. The applicant did not complete any details in the section of the application form asking for employment history.

15. The applicant provided the following answers on his protection application form, which set out part of his claims for protection (not corrected for spelling or grammar):

    Did you experience harm in that country?
    Yes.
    Threatened to kill him if he comes back. Because the political party he is supporting & campaigning for lost the election. His parents were killed by political violence in early 2000’s. Post traumatic stress & difficulty sleeping because of the harm he face.

    Did you seek help within that country after the harm?
    No.
    The law over there is not working, the police work for the people who have money not the general public.

    Did you move, or try to move, to another part of that country to seek safety?
    No.
    The current political environment is Sierra Leone means I will be killed/jailed regardless where I am. The opposition party won the elections & is seeking to kill the athletes who participated in the Commonwealth Games as they believe we supported the losing party.

    Do you think you will be harmed or mistreated if you return to that country?
    Yes.
    The political party has a history of violence & will kill me if I return to the country. Threats have been made & people have been harmed & killed. The ruling party has had executions & tribal killings in the past against all the members who supported the opposing political party.

    Do you think the authorities of that country can and will protect you if you go back?
    No.
    The current political party in power will control the authorities & therefore will not protect me as I was a supporter of the losing/opposing party.

    Do you think you would be able to relocate within that country to an area where you would not be harmed?
    No.
    The ruling party controls all of Sierra Leone & has contacts in neiboring countries & therefore I will be killed if I go back, regardless of which location I stay in.

16. In addition to the answers provided, the applicant also provided the following statement to the Department (not corrected for spelling or grammar):

    I am [a Sport 1 athelete] who came to represent Sierra Leone in the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia in the political side of my country. I’m a strong supporter of the two major political parties of the country, All people congress APC. Due to my relengthless support I was given the position of [Position 1] in the youth APC campaign group in our community. In the first round of the election we seriously launch massive campaign in our community and that made a popular and die hearted APC support many supporters of the other parties especially the Sierra Leone peoples party SLPP were not happy with me because I was campaigning against them, for that reason we became serious enemies in the community. During campaign process there was a serious confrontation between me and opposition party SLPP supporters which result to a fight that lead to many people seriously armed. Since then there were dangerous remarks against me. When the round of the election result was out both parties did not get the required percentage and they have to go for a run off, members and supporters of the SLPP in our community started humiliating harassing and threatening to kill supports of the APC including me and family if the SLPP win the runoff election. After the runoff elections the APC party lost the election to SLPP party and the SLPP supporters started burning, beating and killing the APC supporters, politicians across the country. Fortunately before the runoff election is conducted I travelled out of the country to represent my country to the Commonwealth games in Gold Coast Australia.

17. Provided to the Tribunal on 5 October 2023 were statements, documents and submissions. The Tribunal notes the following from that material.

18. Provided is a Statutory Declaration of the applicant dated 29 September 2023. It indicates that the applicant cannot return to Sierra Leone because the SLPP are aware of his family’s history with the APC. They have previously killed his parents. In the lead-up to the March 2018 elections the applicant was threatened that if the SLPP won the election he would be killed.

19. The applicant refers to leaping out of a window causing him [a specified injury] when his parents were killed by the SLPP.

20. The applicant indicates that immediately on arrival in Sierra Leone the SLPP would be notified as workers in the airport are aligned with the party.

21. The applicant indicates that in March 2023 he went to [a] protest against the Sierra Leone government. There is no freedom of speech in Sierra Leone and people are being killed every day.

22. The applicant refers to his life and qualifications and employment in Australia. Evidence is provided of this including qualifications in Australia gained by the applicant. A reference is provided by an employer of the applicant.

23. Provided is a membership card for the applicant in the APC indicating he is in [a specified leadership group]. The card is undated.

24. Provided is a letter dated [in] April 2022 from [name], [Position 2] of the APC. It indicates that the applicant is a paid-up [specified leadership group] Member of the party. It indicates that the applicant is an active member of the party, a grassroots campaigner and political mobiliser. The applicant has championed a number of massive and peaceful campaigns in his constituency.

25. The letter indicates the following:

    [The applicant] has reportedly suffered a number of politically motivated violence including arrests, detentions and forms of harassment by the governing Sierra Leone Peoples Party due to his political activism in Sierra Leone.

26. Provided is a letter from [specified leaders] of the APC Australia District dated [in] August 2023. It indicates that there has been verification from the APC in Sierra Leone that the applicant played an instrumental role as the [Position 1] within his constituency during that period. This resulted in persecution of him and his family members in the period since the conclusion of the 2018 elections.

27. It is indicated that there has been a loss of many lives in the immediate aftermath of the 2018 elections. The applicant’s family members were ‘few among several hundreds of victims’. Political violence and intimidation remain at an all-time high in Sierra Leone. The applicant is a committed member of the APC Australia who participates in meetings, contributes to promoting strategy and offers financial support.

28. An undated membership application form on the letterhead of APC is provided in relation to the applicant providing an Australian address for the applicant.

29. A statement is provided from [Witness A] dated [in] March 2020. [Witness A] indicates that he is [a specified position] of the Sierra Leone [Sport Association 1] and former [specified] Manager, [Agency 1]. [Witness A] indicates that he became close to the applicant in around 2011/2012. He took the applicant to participate in [a Sport 1] event in [Country 1] in 2016. After that he provided the applicant with employment as [an occupation 3] at the [Agency 1]. The applicant also provided services as a driver during his time at the [Agency 1].

30. [Witness A] indicates that when the APC was in government he was [Position 3] of the APC [Branch 1]. He indicates that he is still the [Position 3] although he has been relieved of his employment.

31. [Witness A] indicates that the applicant was instrumental in his campaign team as his driver and trusted errands man. The applicant comes from a grassroots loyalist family.

32. [Witness A] refers to human rights abuses since the SLPP came to power in 2018. He refers to losing his job at the [Agency 1].

33. Provided are [Witness A’s] membership card in the APC and documents relating to his employment and termination with the [Agency 1].

34. [Witness A] gave evidence consistent with the above in the second hearing and in addition, indicated that he is no longer [specified position] of the Sierra Leone [Sport Association 1].

35. The submission provided in advance of the hearings by the applicant’s representative details independent information concerning the political situation in Sierra Leone and provides details of violence against APC members and supporters. Reference is made to a 2022 Freedom House report referring to major protests in 2022 in relation to cost-of-living issues. Reference is made to authorities deploying teargas and firing live ammunition resulting in six officers and 20 protesters being killed. Although this was not directly the result of political misgivings it is claimed as indirectly affecting supporters and members of the APC who criticised the economic downfall in Sierra Leone. A report is cited in June 2023 referring to the increasingly intense interactions between APC and SLPP supporters. An APC protest against the electoral commission for serving as a puppet of the SLPP reportedly involved violence and the use of teargas. Reference is made to a report that in June 2023 APC headquarters were burned down in the city of Bo and civilians were arrested during this period. Reference is made to APC rallies in the lead-up to the election been marred by police violence and the use of teargas. It indicated that according to APC campaign managers, APC supporters were attacked and wounded with machetes, sticks, knives and other instruments of violence.

36. A report dated 6 July 2023 is cited indicating a person was shot dead outside the APC headquarters in Freetown which the APC blamed on police. It is indicated that another post-election meeting at the same venue resulted in police surrounding the building and using firearms and teargas which led to another fatality. A nurse and volunteer died after being shot in the head.

37. Reference is made to reporting of the exact number of adverse events being limited due to reporting limitations and other factors. It is indicated that there are reports that political violence is on the rise.

38. The submission reiterates that the applicant was an APC [Position 1] in the ‘youth’ APC campaign group in his community. The applicant’s father was a popular member of the APC and his parents were killed in a home invasion attack by the SLPP. The applicant became targeted by the SLPP around the time of the March 2018 election. He also believes that the SLPP played a big role in the death of his brother in 2018.

39. The submission indicates that the risk to the applicant is increased by his fame and national identity due to his sporting identity. He is not just considered as another campaigner. His reputation would cause him to be more readily identified on return.

40. Submissions are made that in the event that it is found that the applicant is not owed protection that a recommendation should be made as to Ministerial intervention. It is indicated that relevant is the fact that there is a skills shortage in Australia and the applicant’s experience and qualifications in the [specified] sector would benefit Australia. The applicant’s employers and [clients] would be adversely impacted if the applicant had to leave and cease employment. Reference is made to the applicant volunteering with [a named agency] and [at named events].

41. It is indicated that the applicant’s partner has sought Ministerial intervention and their [children] are included as her dependants. It is indicated that if the applicant is forced to depart Australia his partner would effectively become a single mother to [small] children who would be deprived of their father. This brings into account obligations under the ICCRP in terms of the maintenance of the family unit and the right to found a family.

    Independent information

42. The Tribunal extracts the following research undertaken by the Country of Origin Information Services Section (COISS) of the Department of Home Affairs dated 14 October 2022 (underlining added):

    PLEASE UPDATE THE COISS REPORT OF 19 NOVEMBER 2021 IN RELATION TO THE CURRENT LEVEL OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE, HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION, ETC., BETWEEN POLITICAL PARTIES IN SIERRA LEONE, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO ADVERSE TREATMENT OF APC MEMBERS. IT IS NOTED THAT THE NOVEMBER 2021 REPORT REFERS TO INCREASING POLITICAL VIOLENCE SINCE THE 2018 ELECTIONS IN THE POTENTIAL FOR MASS VIOLENCE.

    Question 2 of a COISS Q&A report dated 19 November 2021 provides information on the level of political violence, harassment and intimidation, etc., between political parties in Sierra Leone at that time.[1] The Q&A report refers to a Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index (BTI) 2020 country report on Sierra Leone which states that ‘[o]rganized violence remained at a fairly low level during the review period [from 1 February 2017 to 31 January 2019], but the potential for mass violence remains high’. Antagonism between the All People’s Congress (APC) and the SLPP had ‘led to violent clashes in the run-up to the general elections in March 2018. This was not unexpected. Despite an agreement to prevent violence between supporters of each party, signed by both parties in 2009, their radicalized youth organizations are prone to the use of violence’.[2]

    [1] 'Sierra Leone: 20211008163242 - Political Situation - Political Parties - Violence - Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) - All People’s Congress (APC) - Activists - Journalists - Poro Society - Recruitment - Athletes Overstaying Abroad - Tribal Affiliations - Mende Tribe - Temne Tribe', Country of Origin Information Services Section (COISS), 19 November 2021, 20211123103128

    [2] 'BTI 2020 Country Report Sierra Leone', Bertelsmann Stiftung, 29 April 2020, p.25, 20200430165835

    Question 5 of a more recent COISS Q&A report dated 18 March 2022 looks at whether APC supporters faced ill-treatment from SLPP supporters during 2021 and 2022.[3] The Q&A report refers to a 2022 Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index country report on Sierra Leone, which covers the period from 1 February 2019 to 31 January 2021. The 2022 BTI report repeats the wording of the previous report, stating that ‘[o]rganized violence has remained on a fairly low level during the review period, but the potential for mass violence remains high’.[4] The report also comments that ‘[i]n an ongoing process, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) enquires into corruption under the rule of the All People’s Congress (APC) rule spanning from 2007 to 2018’, while ‘[t]he APC questions the constitutional legality of the process’. As a result, political antagonisms had ‘been perpetuated, contravening collaborative reconciliation and confidence-building processes’.[5] The report states that ‘[i]n mobilizing electorates, both parties have resorted to exploit the existing ethnoregional divide within the country’. In December 2020, a by-election won by the APC in Constituency 110, Freetown Peninsula, ‘was overshadowed by violence and allegations of fraud’.[6] The report notes that ‘since [President Julius Maada] Bio took power after the March 2018 general elections, the police seem to enforce SLPP objectives and have been accused of having a pro-SLPP bias’. There had been ‘[h]eavy-handed crackdowns on opposition supporters, arrests of former APC government officials’ and enforcement of ‘a travel ban on persons under investigation by the COI [Commission of Inquiry]’, which ‘all suggest that the SLPP has consolidated its control over the SLP [Sierra Leone Police]’.[7] The report also states that ‘[a] main obstacle to reform is increasing antagonism between the SLPP and the APC, preventing a collaborative policy approach. The main political actors appear not to be guided by lessons from past experiences to collaborate for the common good of the country’.[8]

    [3] 'Sierra Leone 20220225175206 – Media credibility [redacted]', Country of Origin Information Services Section (COISS), 18 March 2022, 20220318153626

    [4] 'BTI 2022 Country Report - Sierra Leone', Bertelsmann Stiftung, 23 February 2022, p.28, 20220301124010

    [5] 'BTI 2022 Country Report - Sierra Leone', Bertelsmann Stiftung, 23 February 2022, p.3, 20220301124010

    [6] 'BTI 2022 Country Report - Sierra Leone', Bertelsmann Stiftung, 23 February 2022, p.9, 20220301124010

    [7] 'BTI 2022 Country Report - Sierra Leone', Bertelsmann Stiftung, 23 February 2022, p.35, 20220301124010

    [8] 'BTI 2022 Country Report - Sierra Leone', Bertelsmann Stiftung, 23 February 2022, p.31, 20220301124010

    The US Department of State (USDOS) report on human rights practices in Sierra Leone for 2021 states that ‘[p]olitical parties were able to register and operate in the country’, and that ‘[u]nlike the previous year, there were no reports of political violence among competing parties’.[9] The report notes that in July 2021, ‘police arrested opposition All People’s Congress politician and member of parliament Emmanuel Saidu Conteh and three others, after customs officials detected firearms and ammunition impounded in a vehicle recently imported by them’. They were charged ‘with conspiracy to commit a felony and illegal importation and unlawful possession of arms and ammunition’. After being denied bail in July 2021, the four suspects were granted bail and released in August 2021.[10] The report also notes that ‘[t]here were no reports of political prisoners or detainees’.[11]

    [9] 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2021 - Sierra Leone', US Department of State, 12 April 2022, Section 3, pp.12-13, 20220413152400

    [10] 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2021 - Sierra Leone', US Department of State, 12 April 2022, Section 1(d), pp.6-7, 20220413152400

    [11] 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2021 - Sierra Leone', US Department of State, 12 April 2022, Section 1(e), p.9, 20220413152400

    A 2022 Freedom House report states that ‘[a]lthough people have the right to organize in different political parties, opposition parties and leaders have faced intimidation and harassment from APC and SLPP governments’. In December 2021, the ‘Unity Party chairwoman Femi Claudius-Cole was detained over comments she made regarding the midterm census, though she was released after several days. APC politician Diana Konomanyi was also detained, though she was more quickly released without charge’.[12] The report also states that ‘[t]he electoral laws and framework are generally deemed to be fair’, but also notes that in November 2021, ‘the APC criticized the NEC [National Election Commission]’s handling of a local contest held in Koinadugu the month before; it alleged that NEC staff engaged in fraud that benefited the SLPP’.[13]

    [12] 'Freedom in the World 2022 - Sierra Leone', Freedom House, 2022, B1, p.4, 20220608091321

    [13] 'Freedom in the World 2022 - Sierra Leone', Freedom House, 2022, A3, p.3, 20220608091321

    In May 2022, The Sierra Leone Telegraph reported that in the previous week, ‘the Speaker of Parliament had to adjourn a session for nearly half an hour in a bid to separate feuding SLPP and APC MPs [Members of Parliament]. Reports say that the two sides almost went into physical blows’. The article states that ‘since the transfer of power from the APC to the ruling SLPP in April 2018, there has been a wave of protests, walkouts, boycotts and low-level violence between the two main political parties both inside and outside Parliament’. Sierra Leone’s political scene was ‘fraught with tensions’. At the core of much political tension was ‘the Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate corruption between September 2007 and April 2018 under the APC government’, with an April 2018 transition report naming various former APC government ministers and public officials accused of corruption. This was followed by several high-level arrests. The article further states that ‘Sierra Leone’s fraught politics and ongoing low-level violence pose serious concerns, though for the moment it is relatively being contained’.[14]

    [14] ‘Continued SLPP, APC tensions could threaten 2023 elections – Op ed’, Abdul Rashid Thomas, The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 31 May 2022, 20221013082909

    In June 2022, Politico SL reported that violence had ‘reportedly flared up between supporters of the APC and SLPP at Constituency 056 in Tonkolili district where the country’s two main political parties are vying for the vacant parliamentary seat after the substantive SLPP parliamentarian Musa Jalloh quit, becoming a Paramount Chief’. Officials of both the APC and SLPP had ‘traded accusations at each other for starting the violence that left several people injured and at least one house burned’.[15] The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone and the Political Parties Registration Commission had issued a joint press release dated 12th June 2022 instituting a ban on street political rallies. The press release ‘said the decision was a result of the violence that “occurred during the APC rally on Tuesday 7th June 2022 in Sambaia Bendugu which culminated in personal attacks and the destruction of private properties in the said locality”’.[16] On 14 June 2022, the Concord Times reported that the United Nation’s Resident Coordinator, Babatunde Ahonsi, had called for an investigation into the violence between the SLPP and the APC in Tonkolili district.[17]

    [15] ‘SLPP district chairman reacts to political rally ban’, Abu, A, Politico SL, 26 June 2022, 20221010183219

    [16] ‘SLPP district chairman reacts to political rally ban’, Abu, A, Politico SL, 26 June 2022, 20221010183219

    [17] ‘Tonkolili bye-election violence: UN Rep, PPRC and ECSL call for investigation’, Koroma, A, Concord Times, 14 June 2022, 20221012152833; See also: ‘Police speaks on Tonkolili election violence’, Koroma, A, Concord Times, 16 June 2022, 20221012160127

    On 10 August 2022, anti-government protesters in Sierra Leone clashed with police in the capital, Freetown. Aljazeera reported that six police officers were killed in the violence. The protests were reportedly over the rising cost of living, with demonstrators calling for the departure of President Bio. According to Aljazeera, ‘[l]ong-standing frustration with the government in some quarters has been exacerbated by rising prices for basic goods in the West African country, where more than half of its population of around eight million live below the poverty line, according to the World Bank’.[18]

    An article dated 11 August 2022 in The Sierra Leone Telegraph indicates that ‘Sierra Leone’s main opposition political party – the APC, last night issued a statement condemning yesterday’s violent protests which saw the killing of civilians and security officers’. The main opposition APC was ‘being accused by supporters of the government and ruling SLPP party of orchestrating the nationwide protests’. The article also states that ‘[s]ince President Bio’s election to office in 2018, there has been a continuous rise in political tension and violence in the country, which many say is made worse by a highly politicised and unprofessional police force’.[19]

    According to a Politico SL article dated 15 August 2022, in an address to the nation, President Julius Maada Bio had ‘described the violent protests of Wednesday, August 10 as a well-planned and financed insurrection that was executed with shocking brutality’. Bio ‘made reference to the sabre-rattling by some politicians of making the country ungovernable, and of people on social media who identified themselves as APC Warriors, PPP and others that he said were determined to seize power even if it meant hundreds of people dying in the process’. President Bio ‘condemned the use of small children in the protests in some areas and vowed to crack down on those he called “violent insurrectionists”’. He ‘dismissed the notion of it being a peaceful protest or that it related to the soaring prices of goods and services due to the global economic meltdown, and that it was intent on overthrowing the government as witnessed in the killing of Police Officers, and the destruction of property belonging or associated with the government’. The protests had ‘left some six police officers and 21 civilians dead’.[20]

    On 17 August 2022, the leader of the main opposition APC in parliament, Chernor Maju Bah, called for an independent committee to quickly investigate the August protests and their aftermath. He also asked that the number of those detained be made public, and that they be granted access to their families and legal representation, and speedy and fair access to a court of law. Bah also ‘claimed that some citizens of their party, who were arrested before the protest on the 10th of August 2022,’ were ‘still in detention’.[21]

    Also on 17 August 2022, BBC News reported that police had killed an APC member suspected of being one of the people behind the protests. The article states that ‘[a]ccording to the police, Hassan Dumbuya - popularly known as Evangelist Samson and a member of the All People’s Congress - was killed when officers exchanged gunfire with a neighbourhood group in the capital Freetown’. The clash ‘happened when officers were in the hideout of alleged suspects behind last week’s violent protests’. Other were reported to have disputed the police version of events. The article indicates that President Julius Maada Bio had ‘said that the protests were an attempt to overthrow his government and that the perpetrators will face justice’. There were twenty-one civilians and five police officers ‘killed during the violent protests over the rising cost of basic goods. Rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the protests’. The article also states that the killing of Dumbaya, who was ‘[a] prominent critic of Sierra Leone's government’, raised ‘serious concerns about extrajudicial killings and accusations of targeting opposition figures’.[22] The APC subsequently called for an independent investigation into Hassan Dumbuya’s death.[23]

    In another article dated 19 August 2022, BBC News reported that President Bio had said that the nature of the previous week's protests against his government had ‘caught the police force by surprise’. Bio said they ‘knew they (protesters) wanted to come out, but we did not have an identifiable group or person leading them’. He ‘again blamed the opposition for trying to topple his government, an accusation the opposition All People's Congress party has denied’. Bio ‘said a forensic and independent investigation was being conducted to unravel the truth’. The protests had ‘resulted in 25 deaths including five police officers’.[24] 

    On 23 August 2022, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, was reported to have said ‘all must share collective responsibility for the August 10 violence that occurred in parts of the country’. Nasralla ‘told President Bio that the government, the opposition, the security sector, civil society, the media, the clergy, and Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora should all take responsibility for the events of that day’.[25]

    On 25 August 2022, The East African reported that the Sierra Leone government had appointed a 15-person committee to investigate the August 2022 protests.[26]

    A Politico SL article dated 4 September 2022 indicates that an internal document obtained by Politico showed ‘that 31 people were killed during the violent antigovernment protests on 10 August in parts of Freetown and the north’, with 25 of them civilians and six policemen. They were ‘believed to be the highest police and civilian protest-related casualties in a single day in peacetime Sierra Leone’.[27] Another Politico SL article of the same date states that ‘[r]epresentatives of Political Parties and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) are to tour all the districts of Sierra Leone to help diffuse the political tension, which they all agreed is prevalent in the country’. The article also indicates that the Chairman of the APC’s Interim Transitional Committee, Alfred Peter Conteh, had said there were signals in July 2022 that elements within his party were involved in planning the protests which took place in August 2022, and that ‘they completely dissociate themselves from those people’.[28] An earlier article dated 17 August 2022 in the Concorde Times, which also refers to comments by Alfred Peter Conteh, indicates that several APC officials had strongly defended the party, distancing it from what had occurred and condemning the violence.[29] 

    On 27 September 2022, BBC News also reported that the protests of 10 August 2022 had ‘left 31 people killed including six police officers’. The article also states that ‘[t]he president blamed the protests – which were generally about the high cost of living – on the opposition alleging that they were part of a plot to overthrow him, leading to the dismissal of the top three in the army’. The opposition All People’s Congress ‘vehemently denied the allegations’.[30]

    [18] ‘Sierra Leone imposes curfew amid anti-government protests’, Aljazeera, 10 August 2022, 20221010144753; See also: 'Sierra Leone: Chaos Erupt in Neighboring Sierra Leone As Citizens Violently Protest Against Rising Cost of Living', Koinyeneh, G C, Front Page Africa, 11 August 2022, 20220812162102

    [19] ‘Opposition APC says it unreservedly condemn all forms of violence’, Thomas, A R, The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 11 August 2022, 20221010180005

    [20] ‘Sierra Leone president says August 10 protests were a planned insurrection’, Abu, A, Politico SL, 15 August 2022, 20221010172623

    [21] ‘Opposition calls for update on Sierra Leone protest deaths’, Kargbo, N, Politico SL, 21 August 2022, 20221013105451; See also: ‘August 10th violence protest: Opposition leader speaks on the way forward’, Alhaji Haruna Sani, Concord Times, 19 August 2022, 20221013112806; ‘S.Leone Opposition Demands Probe Over Deadly Protest’, Agence France Presse, 18 August 2022, 20221013182615

    [22] ‘Sierra Leone opposition figure Hassan Dumbuya killed’, Naadi, T, BBC News, 17 August 2022, 20221010163520; See also: ‘Sierra Leone appoints team to investigate deadly protest’, Cham, K, The East African, 25 August 2022, 20221013190248; ‘Opposition calls for update on Sierra Leone protest deaths’, Kargbo, N, Politico SL, 21 August 2022, 20221013105451; ‘S.Leone Opposition Demands Probe Over Deadly Protest’, Agence France Presse, 18 August 2022, 20221013182615

    [23] ‘Sierra Leone: Opposition probes into Hassan Dumbuya's death’, Africa News, 19 August 2022, 20221010170700

    [24] ‘Sierra Leone protests caught police unawares: President’, BBC News, 19 August 2022, 20221010153438

    [25] ‘SLAJ exhorts collective responsibility for August 10’, Abu, A, Politico SL, 23 August 2022, 20221013084421

    [26] ‘Sierra Leone appoints team to investigate deadly protest’, Cham, K, The East African, 25 August 2022, 20221013190248

    [27] ‘Sierra Leone confirms 31 deaths in violent 10 August protests’, Fofana, U, Politico SL, 4 September 2022, 20221012175432

    [28] ‘Peace Commission to defuse tension in Sierra Leone’, Abu, A, Politico SL, 4 September 2022, 20221012181734

    [29] ‘Ponder my thoughts: SL deadly protests: there are two sides to a coin’, Keili, A, Concord Times, 17 August 2022, 20221013165932; See also: ‘“APC Has Nothing to do With August 10 Protest” – Says APC Interim Chairman Alfred Conteh’, Hashim, I, Sierraloaded, 13 August 2022, 20221014091817

    [30] ‘Sierra Leone president has PhD in coups - first lady’, Fofana, U, BBC News, 27 September 2022, 20221012165046

1. COISS provided the following updated research on 6 December 2022 (underlining added):

   PLEASE UPDATE THE RESEARCH RESPONSE DATED 14 OCTOBER 2022 INDICATING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY FURTHER INSTANCES OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN SIERRA LEONE, PARTICULARLY NOTING THE SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 10 AUGUST 2022 INDICATING AN ESCALATION IN POLITICAL VIOLENCE.

   It is reported that in November 2022, violence broke out between Members of Parliament from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) during a debate in Sierra Leone’s parliament about a proposed change to the electoral system to allow for proportional representation in the 2023 election. In October 2022, twenty-seven civilians killed in the August 2022 violence in Sierra Leone were buried in the capital Freetown following a state-led ceremony, as families disputed police accounts of their deaths. One report refers to the comments of the executive director of the Campaign for Good Governance, who noted that even ahead of the protests, the political environment was very tense, with very clear political tensions between the opposition and the ruling party. There had also been high levels of violent speech on social media, especially reported from people in the diaspora.

   Question 2 of a COISS Q&A report dated 14 October 2022 provides information on the level of political violence, harassment and intimidation, etc., between political parties in Sierra Leone at that time.[31]

   [31] 'Sierra Leone: 20220909101724 - Go-Go Green - Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) - All People’s Congress (APC) - Political Parties - Violence - Salone Today', Country of Origin Information Services Section (COISS), 14 October 2022, 20221017175108

   On 23 November 2022, violence broke out between Members of Parliament (MPs) during a debate in Sierra Leone’s parliament about ‘a proposed change to the electoral system to allow for proportional representation’ in the 2023 election. MPs ‘from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party were seen fighting and throwing chairs’. Lawmakers were also reported to have ‘torn apart equipment and broke a vase’. The fight reportedly ‘erupted around 1100 GMT and had quieted down by afternoon’.[32] One report indicates that ‘[f]ighting broke out when opposition APC members of Parliament refused to debate the changes and called on the Speaker to defer the proceedings to allow sufficient time for MPs to study the new regulation. But the Speaker refused, and violence ensued’.[33] According to local reports, the police had ‘intervened to calm down the riotous scene and expel disruptive MPs from the chamber’.[34] The Clerk of Parliament subsequently reported that the damage caused to the parliament as a result of the violence was 380,000 New Leones.[35] [36] Sierra Leone’s Electoral Commission had ‘advised switching to a proportional representation system for next year’s local and parliamentary elections excluding presidential polls’. The opposition claimed ‘the move would be unconstitutional when the government backs the plan. However, for it to be passed, it requires parliamentary approval’.[37]

   [32] ‘Chaotic scenes as Sierra Leone lawmakers brawl’, Africanews.com, 25 November 2022, 20221205095624

   [33] ‘Sierra Leone Parliament descends into ugly brawl and fist fights as opposition MPs refuse to debate proportional represention laws’, Thomas, A R, The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 27 November 2022, 20221205102421

   [34] ‘Chaotic scenes as Sierra Leone lawmakers brawl’, Africanews.com, 25 November 2022, 20221205095624

   [35] ‘Sierra Leone Parliament descends into ugly brawl and fist fights as opposition MPs refuse to debate proportional represention laws’, Thomas, A R, The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 27 November 2022, 20221205102421; ‘Le 380 million damage done to Sierra Leone’s parliament as violence rocks the House’, Politico SL, 28 November 2022, 20221205103331

   [36] $1.00 AUD equals approximately 12 Sierra Leonean New Leones. $1.00 AUD equals 12,367.4 Sierra Leonean Leones - See: 1 AUD to SLL - Australian Dollars to Sierra Leonean Leones Exchange Rate (xe.com) One Sierra Leonean New Leone equals 1,000 Sierra Leonean Leones - See: Sierra Leone announces the re-denomination of its currency | SwitSalone

   [37] ‘Chaotic scenes as Sierra Leone lawmakers brawl’, Africanews.com, 25 November 2022, 20221205095624

   Another report on the violence in Sierra Leone’s parliament in Newsweek notes that the move to proportional representation was ‘fiercely opposed by opposition politicians’.​ Chernor Maju Bah, aka Chericoco, leader of the APC, had ‘called the proposal a "serious constitutional breach," in an article for the Sierra Leone Telegraph’. Bah had ‘added: "Using the PR system in place of the constituency system would amount to taking away the rights of the people to choose their representatives directly and hand that power over to political parties."​’[38] Proponents of proportional representation have argued that it would be inclusive, and would result in less violence than the First Past the Post System.[39]

   [38] ‘Sierra Leone Parliament Descends Into Wild Brawl, Shocking Video Shows’, Bickerton, J,

   [39] ‘PR is advantageous for women -50/50 Group President’, Koroma, A, Concord Times, 3 November 2022, 20221205181221; ‘Sierra Leone’s All Politico Parties Association endorses new electoral system’, Kamara, C A, Politico SL, 7 November 2022, 20221205183646

   A November 2022 Association for Catholic information in Africa (ACI Africa) article states that Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Freetown, had ‘noted that a majority of parties registered for the country’s forthcoming elections’ had ‘chosen to remain noncommittal to peaceful polls, and that many had refused to sign a document that would otherwise cement their commitment to a peaceful election next year’. The Archbishop, who also serves as the President of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL), ‘noted that the country had been witnessing various acts of violence pitting civilians against the police, and also between opposing parties in parliament. Some of these, he said, had involved physical assault, with legislators hurling objects against each other in parliament’.[40] He said that preliminary investigations into the August 2022 violence ‘had shown that the members of the opposition APC had something to do with the rioters, even though they publicly denied any relationship with them’.​ Apart from Freetown, the riots had taken ‘place mainly in the APC strongholds in the North and the North-west: Makeni, Magburaka, Binkolo, Kamakwie, Lunsar, Port Loko, and Lungi’. The Archbishop ‘said that the IRCSL had “roundly” condemned the 10th August violent riots and called for an investigation that would identify its organizers, planners, and financiers’.[41] The article further states:

   [40] ‘Catholic Archbishop in Sierra Leone Faults Political Parties Apathy on Peace ahead of Poll’, Aineah, A, ACI Africa (Association for Catholic information in Africa), 25 November 2022, 20221202190722

   [41] ‘Catholic Archbishop in Sierra Leone Faults Political Parties Apathy on Peace ahead of Poll’, Aineah, A, ACI Africa (Association for Catholic information in Africa), 25 November 2022, 20221202190722

   The Catholic Archbishop recounted that the political situation in Sierra Leone was relatively calm until the final results of the 2018 presidential elections.

   Since then, he said, and particularly with the change of power from APC to SLPP, “the political temperature went high and has not gone down.”​

   “The election of the Speaker of the House of Parliament was marred by violence. Some members of the opposition APC lost their parliamentary seats as a result of court petitions, all of which were interpreted as a result of the manipulation of the judiciary by the Executive arm of Government,” the President of Sierra Leone’s inter-religious Council said.

   And now, what the IRCSL fears the most is that the June 2023 election may be marred by violence, with politicians being the biggest orchestrators of the violence.[42] 

   [42] ‘Catholic Archbishop in Sierra Leone Faults Political Parties Apathy on Peace ahead of Poll’, Aineah, A, ACI Africa (Association for Catholic information in Africa), 25 November 2022, 20221202190722

   In October 2022, Agence France-Presse reported that ‘[t]wenty-seven civilians killed in August riots in Sierra Leone’ had been buried ‘in the capital Freetown following a state-led ceremony, as families disputed police accounts of their deaths’. Alusine Koroma, the brother ‘of Hassan Dumbuya, a social media influencer and prominent member of the opposition All People's Congress (APC) party’, contested the official account of his brother’s death.[43] It is stated in the article:

   [43] ‘Sierra Leone buries riot dead amid outcry’, Agence France Presse, 17 October 2022, 20221205100333

   On August 10, a protest about the cost of living spiralled into deadly clashes between security forces and young men calling for President Julius Bio to resign.

   Violence erupted in several parts of the West African nation, with the authorities imposing an internet blackout in response.

   In the days following, police said they conducted raids on "hideouts for perpetrators".

   During one of those raids in the city of Makeni, Dumbuya -- alias Evangelist Samson -- was killed in crossfire, a police statement said. His family disputes that, and the APC has called for an independent probe.

   "He was shot from the back in Makeni, according to the autopsy report we received from the coroner", Koroma said through tears on Monday.

   The family has refused the 20,000 Leones ($1,200) the government offered to each family to help with funeral rites.

   Koroma said they had requested and were denied a family burial.[44]

   [44] ‘Sierra Leone buries riot dead amid outcry’, Agence France Presse, 17 October 2022, 20221205100333

   The Agence France-Presse article further states that Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, had ‘said the state had "struck a deal" with families in which it would lead the ceremony for national security reasons’. He said that security was ‘"the only reason" the state was involved… attributing the long delay to the need to reach a consensus with the families’. Swaray ‘also cited the need for relatives to identify bodies and be present for "examinations"’, saying ‘"[s]ome of (the violence) happened in various parts of the country; we had to put out public announcements and family members -- some of them were initially scared"… "We had to extend one deadline after another."’ Civilians had been ‘killed in the cities of Makeni, in the Northern Province, and Kamakwie, in the North West Province, as well as in eastern Freetown’, and ‘Swaray said nine bodies had still not been identified’. He also ‘said families had initially feared the dead would be buried in mass graves’, but the Sierra Leone government had said in a statement ‘that each body would be buried in its own grave "following a dignified ceremony", at the instruction of the president’. Six police officers killed in the riots were buried in a state funeral attended by President Bio in August 2022.[45]

   A more recent article in The Irish Times dated 2 December 2022 states that ‘[o]nly four family members for each victim were allowed to be present’ at the funeral ceremony for the 27 civilians killed in August 2022. The ‘[s]ecurity was heavy, with nearby streets blocked by armed soldiers and police’. The article notes that ‘[t]he victims were to be buried en masse that same day. Their families had begged for permission to take away their bodies and carry out their own funerals, but to no avail’. At the cemetery, relatives ‘were held back in the cemetery by armed guards and only allowed to see the graves after the coffins had already been covered with soil’.[46]

   According to the article, ‘[m]ost of the dead were killed on August 10th, in what Sierra Leone’s government has called a coup and attempted insurgency, and civilians say was a protest against the cost of living’. Many participants had ‘said the protest was organised and encouraged by a Sierra Leonean living in Europe, who spreads daily voice messages through WhatsApp’. Participants, however, ‘said that the eventual demonstration was faceless, and that that man had only put words to their already widespread discontent’. Sierra Leone ‘is one of the world’s poorest states. This year, it has experienced a fuel crisis and rocketing inflation, partially caused by the war in Ukraine, though many citizens accuse the government of corruption and financial mismanagement’.[47] The demonstrators had been ‘met by security forces shooting first tear gas, then live ammunition’. On the following day, one man said to The Irish Times ‘they “were really doing good protesting with [posters]” but the situation took a turn when the tear gas was fired. “That made some people go mad and [they] started throwing stones towards the police and it became violent.”’ Reuters news agency had ‘verified a video that showed police firing live ammunition into crowds. The internet was shut down for two hours at noon, and again overnight. A nationwide 3pm curfew was declared, and police and military convoys patrolled to enforce it’.[48]

   Official reports indicate that 27 civilians and six police officers died in the August 2022 violence, although The Irish Times spoke to family members of a man killed during the protests who was not included in the official figures. The families of each of the police officers who died in the violence ‘reportedly received 100 million leones (€5,250) and they were buried on August 24th, in a state funeral attended by President Bio’.[49] Relatives of three of the civilians killed in the violence who spoke to The Irish Times ‘said they were asked to attend a postmortem between three weeks and two months after the deaths. Some said they could not bear it as the bodies were so decomposed’. All had ‘said they received no documents confirming the postmortem’s findings: those were kept by the state’.[50] The article continues:

   More than two months after the deaths, relatives of the identified victims were invited to a meeting with the government. There, they said no admission of responsibility was made. However, each family was offered 20 million leones (€1,054) in cash which they were told could go towards a memorial service. This is a huge amount of money in Sierra Leone, where the GDP per capita last year was €515, so it was hard to reject. Still, one noted: “The money they gave us was so small compared to life. Nothing compares to life.”

   “There was no sign of remorse,” another attendee said. “I thought the postmortem would enable them to trace the bullets and trace it to the police officer. The officer should apologise to the family. [The state is] the one who gave them the ammunition.”[51]

   The reporter also spoke to Marcella Sampa-Sesay, the executive director of the Campaign for Good Governance, who ‘said there was violence was [sic] on both sides, though she saw no evidence that protesters were armed’. She also said that ‘[i]n terms of police brutality, Sierra Leonean police “lack the tact and professionalism to deal with a crowd”… and “accountability of their actions is basically selective in favour of the regime that is in power”’. She said that ‘[e]ven ahead of the protests… “it is very important to note that the political environment was very tense... there has been a massive dwindling of trust. Political tensions between the opposition and the ruling party have been very clear, [both sides] have never agreed on policies and taking positions for national interest.”’ There had ‘also notably been “high levels of violent speech on social media, especially reported from people in the diaspora... the entire WhatsApp ecosystem is polluted with those messages.”’[52] Sampa-Sesay said the Campaign for Good Governance believed in dialogue, but under the current government, there had ‘been “a lack of consultative spaces to build consensus around national issues impacting on governance and the welfare of citizens”. Instead of embarking on “conscious dialogue with certain groups”, she said, the government had labelled the opposition terrorists and it had become a “buzzword... deepening the divide and sharpening the mistrust and hate”’.[53]

   [45] ‘Sierra Leone buries riot dead amid outcry’, Agence France Presse, 17 October 2022, 20221205100333

   [46] ‘Death in Sierra Leone: When protest turned to tragedy, the state offered money but no remorse’, Hayden, S, The Irish Times, 2 December 2022, 20221204123841

   [47] ‘Death in Sierra Leone: When protest turned to tragedy, the state offered money but no remorse’, Hayden, S, The Irish Times, 2 December 2022, 20221204123841

   [48] ‘Death in Sierra Leone: When protest turned to tragedy, the state offered money but no remorse’, Hayden, S, The Irish Times, 2 December 2022, 20221204123841

   [49] ‘Death in Sierra Leone: When protest turned to tragedy, the state offered money but no remorse’, Hayden, S, The Irish Times, 2 December 2022, 20221204123841

   [50] ‘Death in Sierra Leone: When protest turned to tragedy, the state offered money but no remorse’, Hayden, S, The Irish Times, 2 December 2022, 20221204123841

   [51] ‘Death in Sierra Leone: When protest turned to tragedy, the state offered money but no remorse’, Hayden, S, The Irish Times, 2 December 2022, 20221204123841

   [52] ‘Death in Sierra Leone: When protest turned to tragedy, the state offered money but no remorse’, Hayden, S, The Irish Times, 2 December 2022, 20221204123841

   [53] ‘Death in Sierra Leone: When protest turned to tragedy, the state offered money but no remorse’, Hayden, S, The Irish Times, 2 December 2022, 20221204123841

2. COISS provided the following further research dated 21 July 2023 concerning the 2023 elections and violence surrounding the elections (underlining added):

   PLEASE PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE OUTCOMES OF THE RECENT ELECTIONS, ON ANY ELECTORAL VIOLENCE, AND WHETHER THERE IS ANY ONGOING VIOLENCE BECAUSE OF THE ELECTION RESULTS.

   The 2023 Sierra Leone general elections were held on 24 June 2023 involving local, parliamentary and presidential elections. Incumbent President Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) was declared the winner of the presidential election with the SLPP also winning a parliamentary majority. The election results across all tiers are disputed by the main opposition presidential candidate, Samura Kamara and his party, the All People’s Congress (APC), who claim they are not credible. Some election observers have raised concerns about the transparency of the polling process. While the elections were largely peaceful, there are credible reports of sporadic politically-motivated violence prior to, during and following the elections.

   Please refer to previous COISS Q&A reports regarding the political situation in Sierra Leone, including information relating to the SLPP and APC. Further relevant background to the political issues discussed is contained in recent major reports from the United States Department of State, Freedom House and Amnesty International. See Additional Reading for all references.

   Electoral reforms

   Major electoral reforms preceded the June 2023 parliamentary and local elections including the Public Elections Act 2022 (PEA), the Political Parties Act 2022 (PPA), and the Local Government Act 2022.[54] The reforms have faced criticism, particularly from the APC, amid concerns they benefited the ruling SLPP and were unconstitutional.[55] As relevantly summarised in an article published by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS):

   [54] The presidential election process was unchanged.

   [55] A parliamentary debate in November 2022 regarding the proportional representation system in the local and parliamentary elections resulted in a brawl between SLPP and APC members. See Sierra Leone Parliament descends into ugly brawl and fist fights as opposition MPs refuse to debate proportional represention laws', Thomas, A R, The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 27 November 2022, 20221205102421; ‘Chaotic scenes as Sierra Leone lawmakers brawl', Africa News, 25 November 2022, 20221205095624; 'Sierra Leone Parliament Descends Into Wild Brawl, Shocking Video Shows', Bickerton, J, Newsweek, 24 November 2022, 20221202193219

   … there’s mistrust between the main opposition and the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone. This is driven by a legacy of political grievances arising largely from the removal of APC MPs following a 2018 High Court ruling that gave the SLPP a majority in Parliament. The re-demarcation of constituency boundaries based on the mid-term population census also fuelled tensions.

   Mistrust was further deepened by the decision to run parliamentary and local council elections under a proportional representation system rather than the customary constituency-based first-past-the-post process. This decision was unsuccessfully challenged in the Supreme Court by the APC. The presidential and mayoral elections will maintain a majoritarian and first-past-the-post electoral system, respectively.

   Highlights of the new Public Elections Act include: introducing a voter identification number to curb electoral malpractice and fraud, giving the electoral commission authority to announce election dates, and using proportional representation for parliamentary and local council elections. But there has been little public education on proportional representation and election results management.

   Several grey areas remain unresolved, such as the absence of a specific time frame for concluding presidential post-election litigation. Further, the new act empowers the electoral commission to cancel any result in any area affected by electoral violence or malpractice. Malicious political actors could use this to mar the process in their opponents’ strongholds.[56]

   [56] 'Sierra Leone at a crossroads ahead of June 2023 polls', EMMANUEL YEBOAH , MAWUSI YAW DUMENU AND ENOCH RANDY AIKINS, Institute for Security Studies, 9 June 2023, 20230714144750

   The APC also launched an ultimately unsuccessful legal challenge against the proportional representation system for parliamentary and local elections.[57] As reported by Al Jazeera:

   [57] 'Sierra Leone at a crossroads ahead of June 2023 polls', EMMANUEL YEBOAH , MAWUSI YAW DUMENU AND ENOCH RANDY AIKINS, Institute for Security Studies, 9 June 2023, 20230714144750

   Electoral reform, proposed by Bio [President Julius Maada Bio] and carried out by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) in the second half of 2022, was politically controversial but ruled as legal by the Supreme Court in January 2023 after the APC challenged the decision.

   A district block proportional representation system, last used in 2002, will replace the first-past-the-post system for parliamentary and local council elections.

   Under the new system, political parties produce district-level lists of candidates, with seats awarded based on the percentage of the vote the party receives in a district.

   The new threshold required to win a seat in a district is set at 11.9 percent of the vote, and favours the two dominant parties. Smaller parties like the C4C and NGC – which have a combined 12 seats in the current legislature – are likely to be squeezed out of parliament.

   Initially, the opposition feared that the seats would be allocated using figures from the contested 2021 census in which there were significant increases in SLPP strongholds and corresponding decreases in areas of APC support.

   However, the ECSL agreed to use an average of the last two census figures – both politically disputed – to apportion seats.[58]

   [58] 'Familiar faces, concerns linger ahead of Sierra Leone’s June vote', Jamie Hitchen, Al Jazeera, 1 June 2023, 20230714145227. Please also see ‘How do the Sierra Leonean elections work? A basic guide', Al Jazeera, 13 June 2023, 20230714135109

   The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in Sierra Leone published a brief background of electoral reforms, also noting that while the PEA and PPA as enacted in 2022 assist in ‘laying a sound foundation for democratic elections…important aspects of the process [are] still not aligned with international standards.’[59] The EU EOM also highlighted the addition of gender quotas in the PEA, as well as implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act which ‘introduced a 30 per cent quota for women representation in public and private bodies.’[60] Amnesty International similarly highlighted the relevant gender-based reforms in its annual report.[61]

   [59] 'PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: Voters’ commitment to a democratic process challenged by violence and lack of transparency at critical stages of elections', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 26 June 2023, p. 4, 20230714131901

   [60] 'PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: Voters’ commitment to a democratic process challenged by violence and lack of transparency at critical stages of elections', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 26 June 2023, p. 4, 20230714131901

   [61] ‘Amnesty International Report 2022/23: The state of the world’s human rights', Amnesty International, 27 March 2023, p. 323, 20230328142801

   2023 election results

   Presidential, parliamentary and local elections were held nationwide on 24 June 2023.[62] The presidential election was contested by 13 registered candidates[63] but largely dominated by two: incumbent Julius Maada Bio of the SLPP, and Samura Kamara of the APC.[64] According to the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Bio won with 56.17 per cent of votes with Kamara receiving 41.16 per cent. Candidates were required to secure at least 55 per cent to avoid a runoff vote.[65] The results were announced by the ECSL on Tuesday, 27 June 2023 and Bio was sworn into office the same day.[66]

   [62] 'Preliminary Declaration - General Elections ', Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), 14 July 2023, p. 1, 20230714133228

   [63] 'ECSL Presidential Result', Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Accessed 18 July 2023, 20230718114416

   [64] 'Sierra Leone gears up for crucial election', Isaac Kaledzi , Deutsche Welle, 22 June 2023, 20230718111215

   [65] ‘Sierra Leone president wins re-election, says electoral commission', Reuters, 28 June 2023, 20230718111017

   [66] The Economist report he was sworn in ‘within the hour.’ 'Sierra Leone’s president is re-elected in the first round', The Economist, 29 June 2023, 20230714145522

   The parliamentary, council and mayoral election results were announced by the ECSL on 1 July 2023 with the SLPP winning 81 (or 60 per cent of) parliamentary seats and the APC winning 54.[67] The number of female members of parliament doubled.[68] It is unclear how many local council seats were won by the SLPP, APC or other parties; however some councils are reportedly APC held.[69] The Freetown mayoral election was won by APC incumbent, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr.[70] The ‘multi-tier election’ (presidential, parliament and local or mayoral) results for 2023 are not yet available on the ECSL website[71] with a series of results being announced on ECSL social media accounts.[72]

   [67] 'Sierra Leone ruling party wins 60% of parliamentary seats in contested vote', Reuters, 1 July 2023, 20230718152324; 'Counting the cost of PR system in Sierra Leone: Gains and losses', Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, Dubawa, 17 July 2023, 20230718105501

   [68] 'Counting the cost of PR system in Sierra Leone: Gains and losses', Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, Dubawa, 17 July 2023, 20230718105501

   [69] 'Counting the cost of PR system in Sierra Leone: Gains and losses', Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, Dubawa, 17 July 2023, 20230718105501

   [70] 'Sierra Leone ruling party wins 60% of parliamentary seats in contested vote', Reuters, 1 July 2023, 20230718152324

   [71] 'ECSL Presidential Result', Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), n.d., Accessed 18 July 2023, 20230718114416

   [72] See ECSL Facebook and Twitter pages: &

   Kamara and the APC have rejected the election results, claiming they are not credible. The party publically expressed concerns with the integrity of the ECSL prior to the elections and requested a postponement.[73] Upon the declaration of Bio’s presidential victory, Kamara stated he ‘categorically reject[ed] the outcome so announced by the electoral commission.’[74] The APC have called for a re-run of the presidential and parliamentary elections within six months, as well as the resignation of election commission officials.[75] The party also disputed the voting margins in the mayoral election for Freetown.[76] The opposition calls for new elections have been rejected by the government, and the seven-day period in which a legal challenge could be mounted has now passed.[77] Kamara and the APC have stated they will not ‘participate in any form of governance.’[78] While parliament resumed on 13 July 2023 all but one opposition member boycotted the swearing-in,[79] raising concerns about the capacity of the government to function.[80]

   [73] ‘Sierra Leone gears up for crucial election', Isaac Kaledzi , Deutsche Welle, 22 June 2023, 20230718111215; Sierra Leone opposition party protests Electoral Commission', Celeste Hall, Jurist, 21 June 2023, 20230718112303

   [74] 'Calm in Sierra Leone despite contested election result', Al Jazeera, 28 June 2023, 20230714151406; ‘Sierra Leone’s President Re-Elected, Barely Avoiding a Runoff', Elian Peltier, The New York Times, 27 June 2023, 20230718111721

   [75] 'Sierra Leone's main opposition party demands rerun of general election', Umaru Fofana, Reuters, 2 July 2023, 20230718111913; 'Sierra Leone’s main opposition calls for presidential election re-run after incumbent named winner', Kemo Cham, AP News, 2 July 2023, 20230714145400

   [76] ‘US government rejects election outcome in Sierra Leone as Mayor Aki Sawyerr discloses rigged results', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 15 July 2023, 20230719111717

   [77] ‘Sierra Leone's main opposition party demands rerun of general election', Umaru Fofana, Reuters, 2 July 2023, 20230718111913; ‘Sierra Leone president wins re-election, says electoral commission', Reuters, 28 June 2023, 20230718111017

   [78] 'Sierra Leone ruling party wins 60% of parliamentary seats in contested vote', Reuters, 1 July 2023, 20230718152324, see also: ‘A Parliament Without an Opposition: The Democratic Crisis in Sierra Leone Deepens', Paul Kamara, Democracy in Africa, 18 July 2023, 20230719114940; 'CLOUD LINGERS OVER SIERRA LEONE’S ELECTION', CIVICUS Monitor, 6 July 2023, 20230714145820

   [79] 'Sierra Leone Parliament Opens To Opposition Boycott', AFP News, Barron's, 13 July 2023, 20230714150055; ‘Pressure mounts on APC to end boycott but the party remains steadfast', Abdul Rashid Thomas, The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 13 July 2023, 20230714150253. One APC MP was sworn into parliament, Hon. Mohamed Bangura: 'Counting the cost of PR system in Sierra Leone: Gains and losses', Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, Dubawa, 17 July 2023, 20230718105501. Bangura is reportedly in the process of being expelled from the APC: ‘A Parliament Without an Opposition: The Democratic Crisis in Sierra Leone Deepens', Paul Kamara, Democracy in Africa, 18 July 2023, 20230719114940

   [80] 'Sierra Leone Parliament Opens To Opposition Boycott', AFP News, Barron's, 13 July 2023, 20230714150055; 20230718105501; ‘A Parliament Without an Opposition: The Democratic Crisis in Sierra Leone Deepens', Paul Kamara, Democracy in Africa, 18 July 2023, 20230719114940

   International election observers have raised concerns regarding transparency in the polling process including EU EOM[81] and the Carter Centre,[82] while observers from the African Union (AU)[83] and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)[84] declared the elections generally free and fair.[85] The EU EOM have particularly noted ‘statistical discrepancies,’ and called for the ECSL to release the disaggregated results from polling stations for the presidential election results to allow for transparent and informed analysis.[86] As reported by civil society network, CIVICUS Monitor, Sierra Leone-based election observers National Election Watch (NEW)[87] also reported irregularities:

   [81] 'PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: Voters’ commitment to a democratic process challenged by violence and lack of transparency at critical stages of elections', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 26 June 2023, p. 4, 20230714131901

   [82] 'THE CARTER CENTER SIERRA LEONE 2023 NATIONAL ELECTIONS PRELIMINARY STATEMENT', The Carter Center, 27 June 2023, 20230714133459        

   [83] 'AFRICAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE 24 JUNE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE', African Union, 26 June 2023, 20230714132511

   [84] 'Preliminary Declaration - General Elections ', Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), 14 July 2023, 20230714133228

   [85] As summarised by Associated Press: ‘While regional observers like the African Union and ECOWAS declared the elections free and fair, other Western observers have stressed that the counting and tabulation process lacked transparency. The European Union, the UK, U.S. and France in particular have pressured the electoral commission to display results from each polling station,’ 'Sierra Leone’s main opposition calls for presidential election re-run after incumbent named winner', Kemo Cham, AP News, 2 July 2023, 20230714145400

   [86] 'Statement EU EOM Sierra Leone 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 28 June 2023, 20230714132259

   [87] Limited information is available on the NEW website: However there are regular posts on their social media accounts: &

   National Election Watch, a coalition of over 400 domestic and international civil society organisations (CSOs), has also reported concerns. It deployed 6,000 observers, covering every polling station, and used a sampling technique to estimate the results – a method that closely matched the final official tallies at the last three elections. But this time its results disagreed on all the key figures: levels of support for the two main candidates, turnout and the amount of invalid votes. Based on its analysis, neither candidate was expected to clear the 55 per cent hurdle.[88]

   [88] 'CLOUD LINGERS OVER SIERRA LEONE’S ELECTION', CIVICUS Monitor, 6 July 2023, 20230714145820

   The concerns raised by NEW were also reported by The Economist, which additionally noted the electoral commission’s voter turnout was ‘well above NEWs estimates’ and ‘that in some districts there were more votes cast than there were registered voters.’[89] The National Democratic Institute (NDI)[90] issued a statement in support of NEW data and methodology, and also joined calls for the ECSL to release polling data.[91] According to comments published by Reuters on 30 June 2023, and briefly mentioned 2 July 2023, the chief electoral commissioner advised ‘the disaggregated results would be uploaded to the website "in due course" but that it would take time.’[92]

   [89] 'Sierra Leone’s president is re-elected in the first round', The Economist, 29 June 2023, 20230714145522

   [90] NDI are aUnited States-based international NGO who, since 1983, have worked ‘to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.’ See NDI further detail their work in Sierra Leone since 2002 ‘to increase citizen engagement, promote democratic political parties, enhance women’s political participation and support electoral processes’ See

   [91] 'NDI expresses support for the PRVT methodology used in Sierra Leone', National Democratic Institute For International Affairs (NDI), 7 July 2023, 20230714134225

   [92] 'Sierra Leone election observers flag 'statistical inconsistencies'', Reuters, 30 June 2023, 20230714145654; 'Sierra Leone's main opposition party demands rerun of general election', Umaru Fofana, Reuters, 2 July 2023, 20230718111913

   Some Western governments have also criticised the electoral process. In a joint statement dated 28 June 2023, ambassadors from the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, Germany, France and the European Union noted they ‘share the concerns of national and international observation missions about the lack of transparency in the tabulation process.’[93] The US issued another statement on 14 July 2023 continuing to express concerns regarding ‘irregularities in the election results,’ and ‘reports of intimidation – including death threats – against domestic and international observers, civil society organizations, and ECSL personnel.’[94]

   [93] 'Joint Statement by U.S., UK, Ireland, Germany, France and EU Delegation.', US Embassy in Sierra Leone, 28 June 2023, 20230714144534

   [94] 'On Sierra Leone’s Election', United States Department of State, 14 July 2023, 20230718112110

   At the time of writing, no further update has been provided by the ECSL or any other relevant government or political body regarding the publication of relevant election data. Samura Kamara and the APC have also not conceded the election, and have not participated in any level of government. No legal challenges regarding the election results have been reported.

   Election-related and/or politically-motivated violence

   Sporadic violence involving political party members and supporters was reported during and following the election period. The 26 June 2023 EU EOM statement[95] notes the ‘2023 general elections unfolded in a highly polarised and volatile socio-political environment’ and while civil and political rights were initially respected, ‘closer to election day, localised, politically motivated attacks, and disproportional use of force by security agencies in some cases, shrank the space of political participation in several districts.’[96] The statement outlined reports of violence:

   [95] Noting the statement release follows the elections, however precedes declaration of the results and their contestation; 'PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: Voters’ commitment to a democratic process challenged by violence and lack of transparency at critical stages of elections', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 26 June 2023, 20230714131901

   [96] 'PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: Voters’ commitment to a democratic process challenged by violence and lack of transparency at critical stages of elections', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 26 June 2023, p. 1, 20230714131901

   …Voting was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere in most of the country. Intimidation and violent incidents were reported by police, media, citizen and international observers in six districts, with live ammunition being fired in Port Loko, Freetown and Koinadugu, creating insecurities for voters and poll workers alike The EU EOM directly observed violence and unrest inside seven polling stations during voting and in three, during the closing and counting.[97]

   [97] 'PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: Voters’ commitment to a democratic process challenged by violence and lack of transparency at critical stages of elections', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 26 June 2023, p. 1, 20230714131901

   [..]

   The campaign was energetic, yet marked by divisive rhetoric, with tensions rising in the weeks ahead of the polls in certain areas of the country, especially in the south and south-east. This hampered a level playing field during the campaign. There were violent incidents reported in six districts, including intimidation and attacks against party members and supporters, primarily in the south and south-east. Just three days before elections, security agencies fired live ammunition and tear gas outside the main opposition party’s headquarters in Freetown, resulting in one fatality. During the campaign many cases of harassment and assaults were reported to the EU EOM, yet only a few reached the courts. Overall, most stakeholders expressed low trust in law enforcement bodies due to alleged biased behaviour.[98]

   [98] 'PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: Voters’ commitment to a democratic process challenged by violence and lack of transparency at critical stages of elections', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 26 June 2023, p. 1, 20230714131901

   The report further discusses perceptions of police bias in responding to violent incidents:

   According to EU EOM interlocutors the police was generally seen as biased. It is acknowledged though that in several districts they also attempted to accommodate interests and concerns of both main parties. The EU EOM observers reported about a wide-spread perception that investigations about violent attacks against APC candidates and activists often were not sufficient to ensure victim’s right to effective remedy and conducive campaign environment, particularly in the southern and eastern districts.[99]

   [99] PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: Voters’ commitment to a democratic process challenged by violence and lack of transparency at critical stages of elections', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 26 June 2023, p. 7, 20230714131901

   The report also highlights a ‘heavy police and military presence in several district capitals, including Freetown’ on 11 and 12 June, and ‘[a]s the result of several isolated incidents, at least 87 persons were arrested, according to the police.’[100]

   [100] 'PRELIMINARY STATEMENT: Voters’ commitment to a democratic process challenged by violence and lack of transparency at critical stages of elections', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 26 June 2023, p. 7, 20230714131901

   The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) also released a preliminary statement on 26 June 2023 in which it briefly mentioned violent incidents during the election period:

   The Mission noted with concern that campaigns in some parts of the country were marred by politically motivated violence spurred by the general mistrust especially between the two main political parties (SLPP and the APC). Violence incidents included torching of party offices and physical attacks, resulting in injuries and a reported death in Freetown.[101]

   [101] 'AFRICAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE 24 JUNE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE', African Union, 26 June 2023, p. 4, 20230714132511

   [..]

   Overall, AUEOM observed that elections were conducted in a generally peaceful, transparent, and credible manner, up to the counting on polling day, despite reported incidents of violence particularly during the pre-election period.[102]

   [102] ‘AFRICAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE 24 JUNE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE', African Union, 26 June 2023, p. 7, 20230714132511

   A report from the Carter Centre,[103] who also deployed election monitors, stated that while election-related violence and intimidation targeted both the SLPP and APC, they observed ‘a pattern of intimidation directed against the APC, particularly in the south and east, which undermined the party’s ability to exercise its right to freedom of assembly in some cases.’[104]

   [103] United States-based non-government organisation founded by Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter and the ‘Emory University…on a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering, the Center seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health,’ see ‘Our Mission’

   [104] 'THE CARTER CENTER SIERRA LEONE 2023 NATIONAL ELECTIONS PRELIMINARY STATEMENT', The Carter Center, 27 June 2023, p. 5, 20230714133459

   The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED)[105] recorded eight election-related incidents of violence and two fatalities in June 2023 as part of an overall increase in political violence:

   [105] ‘The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is a disaggregated data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping project. ACLED collects information on the dates, actors, locations, fatalities, and types of all reported political violence and protest events around the world. The ACLED team conducts analysis to describe, explore, and test conflict scenarios, and makes both data and analysis open for free use by the public.’:

   The month of June was marked by increased violence between SLPP and APC supporters, with eight violent events recorded between the two groups resulting in two reported fatalities. Overall, political violence remained elevated in June, with event numbers more than double the monthly average over the past year and concentrated in the Southern province. In response to the party-related violence and disorder, security forces conducted raids and made numerous arrests in June, especially targeting APC supporters and active or retired soldiers. Police also raided the APC headquarters in Freetown during a post-election press conference, using tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the meeting.[106]

   [106] 'Regional Overview: Africa June 2023', Armed Conflict Location ＆ Event Data Project (ACLED), 7 July 2023, 20230714134442. The conflict map published by ACLED indicates the locations of political violence incidents and demonstrations.

   In their pre-election report, published May 2023, NEW reported ‘no incidents of physical violence, intimidation, or harassment’ prior to the campaign and during its first week, but noted nine ‘isolated incidents of violence’ in six districts in the period afterwards.[107]

   [107] 'Sierra Leone 2023 Pre-Election Summary Report on Long Term Observations', National Election Watch, June 2023, p. 7, 20230714134856

   International media sources reported on specific incidents of violence during the election period. Deutsche Welle reported on 22 June 2023, the day prior to the election, that despite a generally peaceful campaign period, ‘tensions have flared as the day of voting approaches’:[108]

   [108] 'Sierra Leone gears up for crucial election', Isaac Kaledzi , Deutsche Welle, 22 June 2023, 20230718111215

   There have been pockets of protests by opposition party supporters who have questioned the processes leading to the election.

   Some voters are concerned about the general atmosphere ahead of the polls following Wednesday's opposition protest in the capital.

   "We have seen early signs of some form of violence with respect to the protest that occurred yesterday [Wednesday], which was conducted by the opposition party. We saw some form of violence between the party supporters and the security forces," a resident of Sierra Leone's capital Freetown told DW.

   […]

   "We are expecting although not a 100% peaceful election, but we are expecting 70% to 80% peaceful election," a Freetown resident told DW.[109]

   [109] 'Sierra Leone gears up for crucial election', Isaac Kaledzi , Deutsche Welle, 22 June 2023, 20230718111215

   Reuters reported outbreaks of violence at APC headquarters in Freetown on 21 June 2023[110] and 25 June 2023 following the election.[111] During the latter incident, around 200 security personnel reportedly surrounded the building following an APC press conference, firing tear gas and live ammunition.[112] The New York Times also reported on the situation in Freetown:

   [110] ‘Violence flares in Sierra Leone ahead of presidential vote', Umaru Fofana, Reuters, 22 June 2023, 20230714150659

   [111] 'Woman unresponsive after gunshots heard at Sierra Leone opposition HQ', Reuters, 25 June 2023, 20230714150949

   [112] 'Woman unresponsive after gunshots heard at Sierra Leone opposition HQ', Reuters, 25 June 2023, 20230714150949; ‘Woman killed at opposition party HQ during Sierra Leone elections', The Guardian, 14 July 2023, 20230714151100

   Samura Kamara, the presidential candidate of the opposition All People’s Congress, had gathered his supporters, party staff and local officials at the headquarters in Freetown, the capital, to sift through data from Saturday’s vote when the military surrounded the building and fired at the crowds gathered outside, according to Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown, who was inside the building.

   “There was a festive mood, people were playing music and dancing outside,” Ms. Aki-Sawyerr said in a telephone interview after she had been evacuated from the building on Sunday evening, coughing from the tear gas.

   A New York Times reporter at the scene saw a truck loaded with soldiers carrying semiautomatic weapons, and others holding tear-gas launchers. Reports of live ammunition being fired could not immediately confirmed.

   Drone footage showed the building engulfed in smoke, with tear gas canisters thrown around it.

   The Sierra Leonean police said in a statement on Sunday evening that supporters of the A.P.C. party had paraded through the streets of Freetown claiming to have won the elections, although results have yet to be officially announced.

   “As the situation became unbearable, the police had to fire tear gas canisters so as to disperse the crowd, which was harassing people on the road,” the statement said.

   Representatives from the government or the military could not be immediately reached for comment. A spokesman for the country’s national security agency denied that the military was present at the scene.[113]

   The death of one APC volunteer at the headquarters from a bullet wound was confirmed.[114]

   New York-based citizen journalist’s media group Sahara Reporters[115] also reported on the violence at APC headquarters,[116] as well as the alleged killings of four APC supporters following the election.[117] Online legal reporting website Jurist published articles regarding violence prior to and following the elections, largely drawn from videos posted on social media[118] and the accounts of Jonathon Rubin, a ‘Freetown-based writer embedded with the opposition.’[119]

   Sources report the elections were otherwise generally peaceful, and the security situation stable despite ongoing tensions regarding the legitimacy of the election results.[120] However, as noted, at the time of writing, the election results remain contested and the APC has refused to participate in any level of government. The above mentioned reported from CIVICUS warns scars from Sierra Leone’s civil war (1991 to 2002) ‘still run deep, and any outbreak of violence sparks fear of an escalation.’[121] The Economist similarly speculates, ‘[a] rigged poll could have grim consequences. Donors might withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in aid. Clashes and ethnic violence could break out amid opposition protests. For now Freetown, the capital, is calm. It is not certain that it will remain so.’[122]

   [113] 'Opposition Accuses Sierra Leone’s Military of Election Weekend Assault', Elian Peltier and Joseph Johnson, The New York Times, 25 June 2023, 20230714151225

   [114] ‘Woman killed at opposition party HQ during Sierra Leone elections', The Guardian, 14 July 2023, 20230714151100

   [115] Sahara Reporters are an independent ‘online community of international reporters and social advocates’ from a Nigerian-African perspective: It is based in New York and was founded by Nigerian human rights activist, Omoyele ‘Yele’ Sowore. Sowore ‘is a well-known Nigerian human rights activist and strong critic of the Buhari administration and of Nigeria's political economy in general. He is the founder of Sahara Reporters, a well-regarded news agency based in New York.’ See 'Nigerian Human Rights Activist Omoyele Sowore Released on Bail', Campbell, J, Council on Foreign Relations, 27 January 2021, 20210203114835

   [116] Presidential Election: One Killed, Many Injured As Military Reportedly Attacks Main Opposition Candidate, Supporters In Sierra Leone', Sahara Reporters, 25 June 2023, 20230718115654

   [117] 'Sierra Leone Police, Military Kill Four Supporters Of Opposition Party, APC Amid Violent Presidential Elections', Sahara Reporters, 27 June 2023, 20230718115536; Sahara Reporters indicates video footage relating to the deaths was obtained and quote unnamed witnesses, however they do not appear to have further verified those incidents, and does not appear to be independently reported in other available sources consulted

   [118] ‘Sierra Leone opposition party protests Electoral Commission', Celeste Hall, Jurist, 21 June 2023, 20230718112303; 'Sierra Leone releases opposition protestors from custody ahead of election', Celeste Hall, Jurist, 23 June 2023, 20230718113442

   [119] ‘Sierra Leone opposition party protests Electoral Commission', Celeste Hall, Jurist, 21 June 2023, 20230718112303. These reports also do not appear to have been independently verified. See Jonathon Rubin LinkedIn profile:

   [120] 'Calm in Sierra Leone despite contested election result', Al Jazeera, 28 June 2023, 20230714151406; 'Sierra Leone gears up for crucial election', Isaac Kaledzi , Deutsche Welle, 22 June 2023, 20230718111215

   [121] 'CLOUD LINGERS OVER SIERRA LEONE’S ELECTION', CIVICUS Monitor, 6 July 2023, 20230714145820

   [122] 'Sierra Leone’s president is re-elected in the first round', The Economist, 29 June 2023, 20230714145522

1. COISS provided the following research dated 22 November 2023 (underlining added):

   PLEASE PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN SIERRA LEONE AFTER THE 24 JUNE 2023 ELECTIONS, PARTICULARLY ANY EVIDENCE OF CONTINUED VIOLENCE, ARREST, HARASSMENT OR OTHER DIFFICULTIES FACED BY SUPPORTERS OF THE APC FROM THE GOVERNMENT/SLPP.

   As noted in Question and Answer product 20230710154414 (see Additional Reading), Sierra Leone held general elections on 24 June 2023 involving local, parliamentary and presidential elections. President Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) won the presidential election with the SLPP also winning a parliamentary majority which was disputed by the opposition presidential candidate, Samura Kamara of the All People’s Congress (APC). The APC boycotted the results and elected officials refused to take up their seats in parliament and at the local government levels. Some election observers have raised concerns about the transparency of the polling process. While the elections were largely peaceful, there are credible reports of sporadic politically-motivated violence prior to, during and following the elections.

   Since then, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) in its final report concluded that the credibility of the elections was undermined by lack of transparency during critical stages of the process, particularly during the tabulation process, and by significant statistical inconsistencies in the results. It was assessed that neither parties could have reached the required 55 per cent threshold to avoid a runoff, however the EU-EOM did not recommend a re-run of the election. The report also confirmed violence perpetrated by security agencies at the APC headquarters on 25 June 2023 that resulted in one death. The report noted concerns about the shrinking of the civic and political space directly after the election.

   After over three months of boycott, a dialogue between the two parties helped facilitate an agreement returning APC politicians to governance. The agreement also included setting up a six month multi-party election review committee (known as the Committee on Electoral Systems and Management Bodies), the release of political prisoners, support to resettle any political party supporters’ internally and externally displaced due to political intimidation, attacks and harassment, and the prosecution of perpetrators of political violence. The government has appointed committee members of the election review committee and a launch was scheduled for 21 November 2023. COISS found no reporting on the progress of other aspects of the agreement such as prisoner releases and prosecutions.

   COISS located one media article reporting on the arrest of several people including high-ranking soldiers in Sierra Leone suspected to be planning violent attacks on citizens, however no further information was located regarding the prosecution of perpetrators of political violence in the past. While not widespread, COISS located some limited reports of political violence and political harassment that occurred after the election period. Aside from the 25 June APC Headquarters incident already reported in Q&A 20230710154414, these incidents include use of force by authorities on protestors including two deaths; soldiers and SLPP supporters threatening and intimidating APC supporters; and the arrest of one APC politician in October 2023.

   Political climate after the 24 June election

   Directly after the 24 June 2023 election, opposition presidential candidate, Samura Kamara of the APC disputed the results of the election[123] calling for a re-run of the presidential and parliamentary elections within six months, as well as the resignation of election commission officials.[124] The dispute of the results led to a boycott by elected APC politicians including MPs, mayors and councillors not return to parliament or councils to undertake their duties.[125] Noting the National Election Watch (NEW)’s observations and conclusions that neither the SLPP or the APC could reach the required 55 per cent threshold to avoid a runoff[126], a primary demand of the APC was the release of disaggregated results from every polling station and called for the use of Results Reconciliation Forms (RRFs) to verify and reconcile the announced results in line with the Public Elections Act of 2022.[127]

   [123] 'Calm in Sierra Leone despite contested election result', Al Jazeera, 28 June 2023, 20230714151406; ‘Sierra Leone’s President Re-Elected, Barely Avoiding a Runoff', Elian Peltier, The New York Times, 27 June 2023, 20230718111721

   [124] 'Sierra Leone's main opposition party demands rerun of general election', Umaru Fofana, Reuters, 2 July 2023, 20230718111913; 'Sierra Leone’s main opposition calls for presidential election re-run after incumbent named winner', Kemo Cham, AP News, 2 July 2023, 20230714145400

   [125] 'Elected public officials of APC cannot return to governance until all polling station results have been published by ECSL', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 25 October 2023, 20231120094537; 'As political dialogue starts – APC party grassroots demand re-run of 2023 elections', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 16 October 2023, 20231113153756; 'A communique that has drawn the road map for the resuscitation of justice and democracy in Sierra Leone – A point of view', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 22 October 2023, 20231113160746; 'Sierra Leone ruling party wins 60% of parliamentary seats in contested vote', Reuters, 1 July 2023, 20230718152324

   [126] 'CLOUD LINGERS OVER SIERRA LEONE’S ELECTION', CIVICUS Monitor, 6 July 2023, 20230714145820; 'Sierra Leone president wins re-election, says electoral commission', Reuters, 28 June 2023, 20230718111017

   [127] 'A communique that has drawn the road map for the resuscitation of justice and democracy in Sierra Leone – A point of view', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 22 October 2023, 20231113160746

   In a September 2023 article, the Nigerian online news publication Vanguard Nigeria[128] reported that during a speaking event at American University in Washington, President Bio accused the United States of pressuring him to interfere in the elections by instructing the electoral commission not to release the results. Bio denies contacting the electoral commission during the elections.[129] Similar comments were reported in a 16 September 2023 article in the Sierra Leonean online news publication Mano Reporters.[130]

   [128] Source Note: Vanguard Newspapers was established in 1984 by Journalist Sam Amuka and the business now operates a number of media publications across Nigeria. The daily newspaper now has online editions and its website reports its mission as providing high quality, reliable and affordable media products for promoting knowledge, political stability and economic prosperity.

   [129] 'Sierra Leone president says US pressured him to interfere in vote', Vanguard (Nigeria), 16 September 2023, 20231120091717

   [130] Source Note: The website for Mano Reporters provides no information on the background of the organisation, or who it is run by, only that it is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. 'Bio says US pressured him to interfere in June 24 elections', Mano Reporters, 16 September 2023, 20231120113613

   As noted in Q&A 20230710154414, a number of Western governments criticised the electoral process including ambassadors from the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, Germany, France and the European Union.[131] In September 2023 the United States State Department imposed sanctions in the form of visa restrictions against those it believed were responsible for undermining democracy in Sierra Leone. An article in the New Dawn[132] Liberian news publication quoted Secretary of State Antony Blinken:

   [131] 'Joint Statement by U.S., UK, Ireland, Germany, France and EU Delegation.', US Embassy in Sierra Leone, 28 June 2023, 20230714144534

   [132] Source Note: The New Dawn Liberia newspaper is a hardcopy and online newspaper published in English and French in Liberia by Searchlight Communications Inc, focusing on current events, politics, sports, business, health entertainment. Its website states that its objective is to promote good governance and democracy in Liberia as well as socioeconomic development in the country. They state that they take seriously the issues of ethics and ensure that our articles are accurate, balanced and fair.

   …“Under this policy, the United States will pursue visa restrictions for those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Sierra Leone, including through the manipulation or rigging of the electoral process; intimidation of voters, election observers, or civil society organizations through threats or acts of physical violence; or the abuse or violation of related human rights in Sierra Leone”[.][133]

   [133] 'US imposes visa restrictions on Sa Leone officials', The New Dawn, 31 August 2023, 20231116101315

   The United States never publically released the names of those under sanction, or restricted from obtaining visas according to Vanguard Nigeria.[134] At the time the United States also suspended a USD $400 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)[135] grant won by the government according to the Sierra Leone Telegraph on 16 October 2023.[136] Despite this, an article by Zawya[137] on 7 November 2023 reported that the Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio received the MCC scorecard from the United States of America’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Bryan David Hunt, scoring 10 out of 20 in the MCC’s indicators.[138] In a 6 November 2023 article, the Sierra Leone Telegraph claims that the United States has been inconsistent in its approach to the results of the 24 June elections. In relation to the MCC scorecard, the article states:

   [134] 'Sierra Leone president says US pressured him to interfere in vote', Vanguard (Nigeria), 16 November 2023, 20231120091717

   [135] The website of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) states that it was Created by the U.S. Congress in January 2004 with strong bipartisan support, MCC partners with the world’s poorest countries that are committed to just and democratic governance, economic freedom and investing in their populations. MCC provides time-limited grants promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and strengthening institutions. 

   [136] 'As political dialogue starts – APC party grassroots demand re-run of 2023 elections', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 16 October 2023, 20231113153756

   [137] Source Note: Zawya is a news publication produced by the London Stock Exchange Group, and its’ website describes it as a leading and trusted source of regional news and intelligence for millions of professionals across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other parts of the Middle East and Africa.

   [138] 'Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio Receives 2024 Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Scorecard from United States Ambassador, Welcomes Independent Assessment of His Government', Zawya, 7 November 2023, 20231116152917

   The U. S became the darling of democracy – loving Sierra Leoneans, when it stood at the forefront along with other Western nations and the European Union ( EU) to publicly denounce the June 24, 2023 elections in Sierra Leone as a sham and a travesty and instantly took action against the Bio government, putting on hold the U.S $ 400 million Millennium Challenge Corporation ( MCC ) grant and also imposed travel restrictions on all officials who contributed to undermine democracy in Sierra Leone by rigging the June 24 elections.

   Ambassador Reimer even boldly stated in a famous interview with Radio Democracy 98.1 that he did not congratulate Maada Bio because the election lacked transparency and credibility.

   The U. S Secretary of State and the U. S Congress have also been publicly vocal in condemning the June 24 elections as fraudulent, putting joy in the hearts of all Sierra Leoneans that indeed, America, the beacon of democracy in the world, was on their side and even if they had no power to order a rerun were about to help institute measures that will ensure that the kind of disgraceful rigging seen on June 24 never happens again in Sierra Leone.

   That is why it was shocking just three days ago, when the State House media reported that Maada Bio’s government had passed 10 of the 20 indicators in the MCC scorecard for 2024, including the crucial one on ensuring the democratic rights of the people, and that Ambassador Hunt himself had gone to State House to convey “the good new” to President Bio.[139]

   [139] 'America’s flip-flopping over democracy in Sierra Leone raises questions', Sierra Leone Telegraph, The, 09 November 2023, 20231120112943

   The United States Ambassador later clarified in November 2023 that the MCC grant ‘is a long way yet and will depend on the seriousness of Bio to implement the provisions of the recent dialogue,’ according to a Cocorioko article dated 9 November 2023.[140] This is in relation to three day dialogue held in October dialogue between the SLPP the APC and external mediators (see below paragraph).

   [140] 'U.S. Ambassador reassures Sierra Leoneans : $500 million MCC Compact grant will not be given Maada Bio based on scorecards', Kabs Kanu, Cocorioko, 09 November 2023, 20231120132027

   Furthermore in a 31 October 2023 article in Cocorioko,[141] the Ambassador also announced USD $3.38 million in funding for a new Democracy and Governance partnership between the United States and Sierra Leone through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The project Building Accountability Systems through Empowered Communities (BASE) partnership will aim to ‘empower local actors to ensure Sierra Leone’s democracy grows stronger and more resilient through effective and informed civic organizations and citizens’ participation in local government and political processes[,]’ and ‘bolster the capacity of local governance institutions to provide critical services and be more transparent in their processes.’[142]

   [141] Source Note: According to its website, Cocorioko was originally a student led newspaper founded in 1973 by Rev. Leeroy Wilfred Kabs-Kanu in Sierra Leone, that folded in 1975, but was reinstated when Kabs-Kanu moved to the United States of America. The website states that Cocorioko is produced in Somerset, Franklin Township , New Jersey , USA and Brookfields , Freetown, Sierra Leone. The sole owner, financier, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) is the Rev. Leeroy Wilfred Kabs-Kanu.

   [142] 'U.S. and Sierra Leone launch a new democracy and governance partnership', Cocorioko, 31 October 2023, 20231120141625

   On 10 October 2023 the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) for the Sierra Leone 2023 General Elections released their final report.[143] The executive summary of the report stated:

   [143] 'SIERRA LEONE 2023 Final Report - General Elections 24 June 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 10 October 2023, 20231113144952

   …voters’ trust in the credibility of elections was undermined by lack of transparency during critical stages of the process, particularly during the tabulation process, and by significant statistical inconsistencies in the results. An independent citizen observer group who voiced concerns was threatened and its leadership had to flee the country, which is indicative to democratic backsliding… Following the declaration of the results of the parliamentary elections a few days later, it was clear that result totals published by the ECSL showed several statistical inconsistencies and mathematical improbabilities.[144]

   [144] 'SIERRA LEONE 2023 Final Report - General Elections 24 June 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 10 October 2023, p.7, 20231113144952

   Regarding ethnic and party divisions, violence and use of force by security agencies, the report noted that:

   Divisive online communication heightened tensions during the campaign. Aggressive content, exploiting ethno-regional divide and economic hardships, was posted on Facebook and Twitter, while manipulative information spread through WhatsApp. It created insecurity also for rural voters who rarely use internet, as such messages were often read out at community meetings.

   Political violence in weeks before the polls disrupted the playing field in at least six districts. The EU EOM crosschecked and confirmed reports on at least 17 violent attacks, which negatively affected the campaign environment nation-wide. Most assaults of party supporters and attacks on party offices or private properties of politicians went unpunished. It shrank the space for political participation in the south and south-east.

   Political activism was also discouraged through a demonstrative and disproportionate use of force by security agencies prior to, during and after election day. Live ammunition and tear gas was fired outside the main opposition party’s headquarters in Freetown twice (three days prior to and then one day after the elections). In each case one person was killed. Most stakeholders had low trust in law enforcement bodies due to alleged biased behaviour.[145]

   [145] 'SIERRA LEONE 2023 Final Report - General Elections 24 June 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 10 October 2023, p.7, 20231113144952

   According to an 11 October 2023 article by the news site The Sierra Leone Telegraph the EU-EOM did not recommend a re-run of the election however had a number of critical observations on the election and made a number of recommendations.[146] The report notes that ‘[t]he EU EOM is offering 21 recommendations for improving the way elections are organised, managed, and conducted and for upholding regional and international commitments,’ including seven priority recommendations.[147] These priority recommendations are as follows:

   [146] 'President Bio receives damning EU Election Observer Mission report', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 11 October 2023, 20231113144128; The full EU EOM recommendations can be found from pages 44-57 of the report.

   [147] 'SIERRA LEONE 2023 Final Report - General Elections 24 June 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 10 October 2023, p.7, 20231113144952

   1. Publish the final voter register per polling station and per polling center in a timely manner and allow voters to verify and correct all their details.

   2. The ECSL to establish and publish detailed procedures for the tabulation and announcement of results, as well as put in place a robust, transparent, and easily verifiable results’ processing system well ahead of elections.

   3. Publish on the ECSL website comprehensive election results data by polling station, including results per candidate and per party, the number of registered voters and of valid and invalid votes, in a timely manner and in an easily trackable and downloadable database format.

   4. Ensure safety and security for all candidates through a timely conclusion of investigations, holding perpetrators of violence accountable, and enabling the PPRC to act effectively upon violations of campaign rules.

   5. Ensure enforcement of legal restrictions on the misuse of state resources and explicitly prohibit the use of official functions, as well as government websites and social media accounts for campaign purposes.

   6. Ensure transparency in campaign finance by introducing caps for campaign revenues and expenses and clear rules of reporting and public disclosure before, during, and after the elections, including by the media, and by implementing robust sanctions for noncompliance.

   7. Protect freedom of expression by clearly aligning the definitions of “cyber-terrorism”, “cyber-stalking”, “cyber-bullying” and “incendiary information” with relevant regional and international standards [148]

   [148] 'SIERRA LEONE 2023 Final Report - General Elections 24 June 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 10 October 2023, p.8, 20231113144952 The full EU EOM recommendations can be found from pages 44-57 of the report.

   Regarding post-election political developments, the report noted:

   The immediate post-election period gave credence to concerns about the shrinking of the civic and political space and was characterised by high tensions. There was an unprovoked use of force by the security agencies against the APC, firing tear gas canisters and live ammunition at the party headquarters on 25 June when the APC leadership, including the presidential candidate, was in the building; standoff resulted in one fatality.

   The NEW faced a coordinated disinformation campaign aiming to discredit the organisation, underpinned by a range of intimidating public pronouncements from state and non-state actors. 116 On 27 June NEW published the results of its PVT, indicating that neither presidential candidate secured 55 per cent of the votes in the first round and that a run-off would have to be expected. NEW reportedly tried in vain to engage the ECSL prior to the publication of the results. Instead, the organisation came under heavy attacks on traditional and social media, as well as by some national CSOs and the SLPP. On 29 June, the Office of National Security (ONS) issued a press release against the publication of PVT on the potential implications to national security. The ONS qualified the publication as an act against the Constitution intending to provoke undue tension by arbitrarily interpreting constitutional provisions. It was viewed by many, including by the EU EOM, as intimidating and possibly foreshadowing an arrest. ONS’s undue intervention led to the NEW leadership fleeing the country and was viewed by some civil society actors as going beyond the ONS powers.117 Threats of arrest based on standard observation activities implemented with a professional methodology and in the framework of a MoU with the ECSL directly contravene regional and international principles on the right and opportunity to participate in public affairs and freedom of expression.

   Most media reported extensively on post-election developments, including violent incidents. The public broadcaster SLBC and the largest commercial broadcaster AYV did not cover post-electoral violence and refrained from news reports that could be perceived as critical to the ECSL, ONS or other governmental bodies. However, both provided space to invited experts for their negative assessment of the EU and NEW observation activities.

   The APC leadership rejected the result, calling for a fresh election within six months “to be overseen by credible individuals and institutions who will ensure a fair and transparent process.” The APC also demanded the resignation of the ECSL commissioners and the heads of security bodies and judiciary as well as the imposition of travel bans on those officials, the President, and several members of government. The party also declared that none of their elected officials would take up their seats in the parliament or as a mayor or a local council chair, including the elected mayor of Freetown. All but one APC member of the parliament did not participate in the first seating on 13 July.119 Citing lack of trust in the Judiciary and absence of clear timelines for such cases, APC decided not to challenge the presidential election in court.[149]

   [149] 'SIERRA LEONE 2023 Final Report - General Elections 24 June 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 10 October 2023, pp.42-43, 20231113144952

   The EU-EOM report was released while the APC elected politicians continued to boycott participation in governance. According to the Sierra Leonean news publication PoliticSL[150] in an article dated 27 October 2023, the continued boycott of governance by APC politicians throughout October ‘caused angst and set off a cloud of uncertainty over the country[,]’ with serious economic effects across the country, prompting the Peace and National Cohesion Commission to facilitate a National Dialogue between the parties.[151]

   [150] Source Note: PoliticoSL is a news site based in Sierra Leone managed by Dr. Isaac Massaquoi, and its website mission statement states that it aims to de-tribalise and de-regionalise Sierra Leonean politics to ameliorate the plight of ordinary citizens of Sierra Leone, no matter who they vote for. It is published by the Free Media Group.

   [151] 'Sierra Leone’s opposition leader on his political future', Politico SL, 27 October 2023, 20231116104731

   According to the Sierra Leonean Telegraph on 16 October 2023, mediation between the SLPP and the APC began in mid-October to determine if elected APC politicians would work together with the SLPP to govern the country. The article notes that the three day dialogue included ‘the Commonwealth, the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) overseeing as negotiators.’[152] In a 22 October 2023 article by the Sierra Leone Telegraph it was reported that:

   [152] 'As political dialogue starts – APC party grassroots demand re-run of 2023 elections', Sierra Leone Telegraph, The, 16 October 2023, 20231113153756; 'A communique that has drawn the road map for the resuscitation of justice and democracy in Sierra Leone – A point of view', Sierra Leone Telegraph, The, 22 October 2023, 20231113160746

   [t]hree months after the controversial election results were declared in favour of the ruling government, the opposition’s unwavering position led to a severe setback. The country’s functionality was hampered, investor confidence eroded, and international partners hesitated to engage in business with Sierra Leone.

   In response to this crisis, the local National Peace Commission facilitated a three-day dialogue, supported by international groups including ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Commonwealth. At the conclusion of the dialogue, leaders representing both the government and the opposition party signed ‘a communique.’[153]

   [153] 'A communique that has drawn the road map for the resuscitation of justice and democracy in Sierra Leone – A point of view', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 22 October 2023, 20231113160746

   The article notes that the dialogue resulted in a communique signed by leaders representing both the government and the opposition party on 18 October 2023 representing, ‘a formal statement summarizing the key agreements and resolutions reached during the discussions, offering hope for a path forward in resolving the electoral dispute and its implications.’[154]

   [154] 'A communique that has drawn the road map for the resuscitation of justice and democracy in Sierra Leone – A point of view', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 22 October 2023, 20231113160746

   According to The Sierra Leone Telegraph the communique included, amongst many items, a resolution that the APC will end its non-participation in governance, and the constitution of a multi-party committee to review the systems, structures and processes of the 2023 election. The communique also included a number of resolutions in relation to APC supporters affected by political violence. These included the release of persons arrested or detained for alleged elections and civil protest as informed by a list to be submitted by the APC and other political parties; the ‘discontinuation of any politically motivated court cases against the APC and their supporters (based on a list to be submitted by the APC and other parties and considered by the Government of Sierra Leone)’; and support to resettle any political party supporters ‘internally and externally displaced due to political intimidation, attacks and harassment (informed by a list to be submitted by the APC, and other parties and considered by Government of Sierra Leone) as soon as possible’. It was also agreed by both parties to ‘strictly condemn all citizens at home and abroad who incite violence, spread hate speech and disrupt national cohesion (online and offline) and [that the] government will continue all efforts to bring those involved to justice[.]’ The communique also notes that an independent committee of ‘Moral Guarantors’ will be established to support and monitor the implementation of the agreement.[155]

   [155] 'A communique that has drawn the road map for the resuscitation of justice and democracy in Sierra Leone – A point of view', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 22 October 2023, 20231113160746

   According to the Sierra Eye Magazine[156] in an article published on 31 October 2023, both the APC and the SLPP are divided about the dialogue and the agreement, with ‘Hardliners in the APC accuse their leaders of abandoning them to save their own skin. Those in the SLPP accuse the government of capitulating to “blackmail”.[157] An article in the online news publication The Organiser[158] states that some APC supporters are angry with Kamara and other leaders for ‘selling out’, and forcing them to endure the violence of the election campaign unnecessarily.[159] In a 31 October 2023 article in Cocorioko it was reported:

   [156] Source Note: The quarterly Sierra Eye Magazine was founded in 2006 by lawyer Basita Michael in Sierra Leone. The website of the publication states that it strives to provide a well-rounded reading experience by providing apolitical, unbiased, non-discriminatory and high level critical analysis and commentary on hot button issues affecting the nation.

   [157] 'SLPP-APC MEDIATED DIALOGUE: WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE', Sierra Eye Monitor, 31 October 2023, 20231116111609

   [158] Source Note: The website of The Organiser states that it is an online publication published in London by Abu Shaw, the Founder, Proprietor, Publisher, Editor, and CEO. It states that it is the forerunner of the defunct Freetown Daily News and Press United newspapers, with correspondents based in the four regions of Sierra Leone bringing exclusive stories from your towns and villages.

   [159] 'Sierra Leoneans are Very Angry After Samura’s Sell Out, Angry with Ernest & Angry with Maada', Organiser, 20 October 2023, 20231116121512

   Dr. Samura Kamara got into serious trouble with the grassroots and rank-and -file of the APC for signing the communique, which was considered as a total betrayal of the party, because the matters of the disaggregated polling stations results –which the international elections observers and stakeholders wanted made public and which the Elections Commission of Sierra Leone ( ECSL) refused to release –and the possibility of a rerun of the elections, which they wanted , were not addressed by the dialogue and the communique. Very angry audios and videos from irate supporters of the APC, some even threatening Dr. Samura Kamara’s life, have gone viral on social media. Dr. Samura Kamara was widely accused of failing the APC.[160]

   [160] 'Samura Kamara finally addresses three-day inter-Party dialogue and concluding communique', Cocorioko, 31 October 2023, 20231120142841

   After the signing of the communique, Kamara released a statement outlining the position of the APC which can be read in full here.

   Critics argue that the agreement ‘ignores the major issue of electoral irregularities which had been at the core of APC’s concerns, lacks transparency and interferes with judicial independence by engendering the release of people alleged to have committed election offences or been involved in cases deemed to be politically motivated.’[161] Questions have been raised about the scope of the election review committee.[162] In relation to the election review committee, Samual Kamara stated ‘“the committee’s creation will provide a platform for both parties to engage constructively, and allow justice, the rule of law, and peace to prevail in our beloved nation”.’ [163] In an interview with PoliticoSL on 27 October 2023 he also stated, ‘I think this is as important as it gives an opportunity for both parties and the international community to actually examine what happened. And by so doing it will correct the electoral defect in our electoral processes.’[164] Furthermore he stated:

   [161] 'SLPP-APC MEDIATED DIALOGUE: WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE', Sierra Eye Monitor, 31 October 2023, 20231116111609

   [162] 'SLPP-APC MEDIATED DIALOGUE: WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE', Sierra Eye Monitor, 31 October 2023, 20231116111609

   [163] 'SLPP-APC MEDIATED DIALOGUE: WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE', Sierra Eye Monitor, 31 October 2023, 20231116111609

   [164] 'Sierra Leone’s opposition leader on his political future', Politico SL, 27 October 2023, 20231116104731

   Both sides have agreed that this committee will review, within six months, the 2023 electoral cycle, taking into account various stages, including voter registration, voter card issuance, ballot paper procurement, election day procedures, vote tallying, tabulation, and results announcement… The committee will also look into matters of political violence, excessive use of force by the security forces, extrajudicial killings, and harm to innocent citizens”.[165]

   [165] 'SLPP-APC MEDIATED DIALOGUE: WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE', Sierra Eye Monitor, 31 October 2023, 20231116111609

   Critics argue that judiciary and police in Sierra Leone have been ‘weaponised’ to the disadvantage of the APC and other opposition parties, and that the six month election review inquiry needs to be supplemented by a longer term review of the independence of the judiciary and law enforcement.[166] In his PoliticoSL interview, while Kamara states that he believes the agreement is a roadmap to peace in the country, he still considers the SLPP the ‘illegitimate government’, and called on the ruling party (the SLPP) to stop intimidation and arrests and release anyone arrested and detained for political reasons.[167]

   [166] 'SLPP-APC MEDIATED DIALOGUE: WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE', Sierra Eye Monitor, 31 October 2023, 20231116111609

   [167] 'Sierra Leone’s opposition leader on his political future', Politico SL, 27 October 2023, 20231116104731

   Regarding the progress of these resolutions, a news article published by Nightwatch[168] on 8 November 2023 reported on the progress of the election review committee:

   [168] Source Note: This article was originally published by the Sierra Leonean online news site Nightwatch, however was re-published on the website Cocorioko. COISS found limited information about the Nightwatch newspaper. Its website states it is registered © Munich, LLC. All rights reserved. Pulses Pro® is a registered U.S. trademark of tagDiv, LLC.

   In 12 days, an election investigation committee will be in full swing according to a communique signed by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition, All People’s Congress (APC). Although the committee will set their investigation parameters, Sierra Leoneans hope that the committee will look at the use of funds donated by development partners, procurement processes of voter identity cards, voting, counting, tabulation and announcement of election results, alleged police and military brutality, unlawful arrest and detention of opposition politicians, supporters and sympathisers, harassment and intimidation of voters in opposition strongholds among others.

   The ad hoc tribunal will last for six months and its recommendations will be “actionable” and “implementable” although some SLPP politicians argue that they are not legally binding.

   If understood correctly, SLPP is insinuating that it is within the discretion of President Julius Maada Bio to either accept or reject the recommendations and continue his governance project to a time only God knows…

   The terms of reference, according to the peace document, will be developed under the joint leadership of the committee within 30 days.[169]

   [169] 'Election Investigation… New Battle Begins between SLPP and APC', Nightwatch, 8 November 2023, 20231117115801

   Regarding the work of the election review committee, a Cocorioko article dated 9 November 2023 notes that the committee should recommend the detribalization of the Elections Commission, stating:

   If stakeholders and moral guarantors go into the forthcoming Tripartite committee investigations and come out of it with the ECSL still a tribal organization, nobody should take them and the APC seriously again because they will never win an election in Sierra Leone once the Southeast continues to control the Elections Commission. We need a brand new ECSL, with all ethnic groups and regions equally represented in it.[170]

   [170] 'The only pathway to free, fair elections and democracy in Sierra Leone : Detribalize the Elections Commission, Army, Police and civil society', Kabs Kanu, Cocorioko, 9 November 2023, 20231120132929

   The author Kabs Kanu also believes that the army and police are similarly tribalized and this hinders progress towards free, fair elections and democracy in Sierra Leone.[171]

   [171] 'The only pathway to free, fair elections and democracy in Sierra Leone : Detribalize the Elections Commission, Army, Police and civil society', Kabs Kanu, Cocorioko, 9 November 2023, 20231120132929

   Two media articles from 21 November 2023 by the news publication SierraLoaded[172] indicate that members of the committee have been appointed from the APC, the government and ‘development partners’, although no detail was provide don who those development partners are. An official launch was planned for the afternoon of 21 November 2023[173], COISS found no further media reporting in this event.[174]

   [172] Source Note: SierraLoaded is an online new publication published by Felima Media and Sierraloaded (SL) Ltd. No further details are provided on their website regarding the mission and philosophy of the business.

   [173] ’ Government Announce the Launch of the Committee on Electoral Systems and Management Bodies', Sierraloaded, 21 November 2023, 20231122102045 ’APC Nominates Party Representatives to Review Sierra Leone’s Electoral System', Sierraloaded, 21 November 2023, 20231122101417

   [174] COISS conducted targeted searches in CISNET, COI databases, open source search engines and media sources.

   Critically the dialogue and agreement allowed those APC politicians elected across all levels of government to take up their seats.[175] In his PoliticoSL interview on 27 October, Kamara stated:

   [175] 'Sierra Leone’s opposition leader on his political future', Politico SL, 27 October 2023, 20231116104731; 'Generational Change' as Agile APC MP Abdul Kargbo Set to Lead the APC Party in Parliament', Organiser, 1 November 2023, 20231116143225

   The issue of the Parliamentarians has come in as…we take it as part of the issues that must be considered going forward. It doesn’t mean because the MPs are back in Parliament that would be the end of story, no. That’s why we have the committee that will serve for six months. We are also advised by our friends, well-meaning Sierra Leoneans, the donor community, development partners that it is better if Parliamentarians all come together in Parliament and from there they start discussing their differences. Because this type of engagement legitimizes the differences and solutions between the two parties. People listen more to parliament.[176]

   [176] 'Sierra Leone’s opposition leader on his political future', Politico SL, 27 October 2023, 20231116104731

   On 29 October 2023 it was reported in the Sierra Leone Telegraph that ‘[e]lected APC mayors and local ward councillors have commenced taking their oath of office to mark their official return to governance in Sierra Leone, after a three-month boycott,’ including Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr.[177]

   [177] 'Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and other elected APC councillors take oath of office', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 29 October 2023, 20231117152431

   According to a 9 November 2023 article in PoliticoSL, on 7 November 2023 ‘fifty-two members of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) who had not subscribed to the oath of office due to their party’s decision to boycott all forms of governance, finally assumed their seats.’[178] On the same day, the Sierra Leone Monitor[179] reported that ‘Samura Kamara, took to social media to extend his heartfelt congratulations to the newly-elected Members of Parliament (MPs) who have assumed their rightful seats in Parliament today, November 7, 2023.’[180]

   [178] 'Sierra Leone opposition party takes up seat in Parliament', Politico SL, 09 November 2023, 20231113162028

   [179] Source Note: The website of The Sierra Leone Monitor provides no information on the background of the organisation, who it is run by and where it is based. It states that it ‘is your reliable source of news and information about Sierra Leone, catering for readers both within the country and around the globe. Our platform is dedicated to providing accurate, timely, and comprehensive coverage of various topics including, politics, business, entertainment, sports and more.’

   [180] 'Samura Kamara Reacts to APC MPs Taking Their Parliament Seats', Sierra Leone Monitor, 7 November 2023, 20231115145324

   No country information was located to indicate Kamara was elected to the Parliamentary seat he ran for during the elections. Regarding the current APC party leadership, the website of the APC is outdated and contains no clear information to determine who the current Chairman of the party is t.[181] In a 1 November 2023 article in The Organiser it was reported that the Honourable Abdul Kargbo, elected at the Port Loko District, has been earmarked to lead the APC in the Parliament.[182] Recent media reporting on the Sierra Leonean parliament by PoliticoSL also refers to ‘Leader of the Opposition Abdul Kargbo’, rather than Samura Kamara.[183] While Ernest Bai Koroma, the former President of Sierra Leone and the Chairman of the APC prior to the elections, reportedly left his role of Chairman prior to the June elections, he is still considered an influential figure in the party and was reportedly involved in talks between the APC and the SLPP directly after the elections.[184]

   [181] COISS viewed the APC home page on 16 November. The website is dated and contains limited information about the current status of the party. It states that Ernest Bai Koroma is the Chairman and leader of the party, however media reporting indicates he has stepped down from his role prior to the June 2023 election. See {Home | Apctest (apcpartysl.com)}

   [182] 'Generational Change' as Agile APC MP Abdul Kargbo Set to Lead the APC Party in Parliament', Organiser, 1 November 2023, 20231116143225

   [183] 'Sierra Leone parliament approves rail and port contract to Chinese company', Politico SL, 10 November 2023, 20231116141051

   [184] 'Ernest Bai Koroma in talks with SLPP amid election disagreement', Politico SL, 1 July 2023, 20231116145420

   Regarding other elements of the communique; COISS found no reporting to indicate the disaggregated election data has been released by the Elections Commission, or in relation to the resettling of internal and external opposition political supporters impacted by political violence.[185]

   [185] COISS conducted targeted searches in CISNET, COI databases, open source search engines and media sources.

   Political Violence, arrests, harassment or other difficulties faced by supporters of the APC from the government/SLPP after the elections.

   COISS located only limited country information regarding political violence, arrests or the targeting of APC supporters after the elections. As noted in the PoliticoSL interview with Samura Kamara, he stated ‘The arrests must stop, intimidation must stop, all those that were politically arrested and detained should be released. By doing so you [the ruling party] are bringing confidence into the country.’[186] Furthermore the EU-EOM report noted that post-election violence did occur and was reported on by some media.[187] The EU-EOM reiterated what was noted in previous Q&A 20230710154414, ‘[t]here was an unprovoked use of force by the security agencies against the APC, firing tear gas canisters and live ammunition at the party headquarters on 25 June when the APC leadership, including the presidential candidate, was in the building; standoff resulted in one fatality.’ (the 25 June incident).[188] The report commented on the post-election environment, stating ‘t]he immediate post-election period gave credence to concerns about the shrinking of the civic and political space and was characterised by high tensions.’[189]

   [186] 'Sierra Leone’s opposition leader on his political future', Politico SL, 27 October 2023, 20231116104731

   [187] 'SIERRA LEONE 2023 Final Report - General Elections 24 June 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 10 October 2023, p.43, 20231113144952

   [188] 'SIERRA LEONE 2023 Final Report - General Elections 24 June 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 10 October 2023, p.43, 20231113144952

   [189] 'SIERRA LEONE 2023 Final Report - General Elections 24 June 2023', European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone, 10 October 2023, p.42, 20231113144952

   COISS identified reports of incidents relating to political violence, arrests or protests, besides the 25 June incident at APC headquarters and previously reported incidents of violence before the election day, include the following:

   In a 19 October 2023 article in the online publication Cocorioko it was reported that APC members were betrayed by signing of the inter-party communique and that:

   Amidst political unrest and the specter of extrajudicial executions under President Julius Maada Bio’s repressive SLPP regime, the betrayal suffered by APC grassroots supporters takes on a deeply personal and agonizing dimension… Concrete examples illustrate the harsh reality. On June 26, 2023, just two days after the general elections, Matron Mahawa Dumbuya and another supporter known as White Boy were executed by SLPP thugs masquerading in police and military uniforms. On August 14, 2022, Evangelist Samson, aka Hassan Kamara, faced a similar fate at the hands of SLPP members in uniform.[190]

   [190] 'Abandoned Voices: Dr. Samura Kamara and the Heart-Wrenching Betrayal of APC Grassroots Supporters in Sierra Leone', Foday Morris, Cocorioko, 19 October 2023, 20231120145722

   In the 8 November 2023 article by NightWatch, it was reported that directly after the election result was released soldiers and SLPP supporters threatened and intimidated individuals:

   Overnight, SLPP, a party of academic elites was reduced to a battlefield with combat-ready soldiers ever willing to do harm to opponents. It is not unusual to see to see fully dressed and well-armed soldiers dancing and brandishing their Ak 47 and 58 assault rifles issuing threats against the people of Sierra Leone especially those who oppose the Bio regime.

   The soldiers’ action became one of great concern by a frightened public. In response, the army high command put out a press release distancing themselves from the soldiers’ threats saying such conduct did not represent the institution.

   Senior officers promised to investigate the soldiers, but they did not come back to tell what was the outcome if, at all, one was conducted.

   Similarly, intimidation of peaceful civilians and former government officials following the announcement of Julius Maada Bio winner of the June, 2023 election was also part of the terror campaign.

   The victory sent thugs linked to SLPP into a frenzy of violence constituting themselves into vigilante groups embarking on a rudderless search of government vehicles with sporadic attacks not uncommon.

   Mistaken for a former minister, a judge of the high court was attacked and forced out of his vehicle, and the daughter of ex-President Koroma also succumbed to the same fate.[191]

   [191] 'Election Investigation… New Battle Begins between SLPP and APC', NightWatch,8 November 2023, 20231117115801

   A 1 August 2023 article in the news site Vanguard noted that:

   [p]olice officers have arrested several people including high-ranking soldiers in Sierra Leone, suspected to be planning violent attacks on citizens.

   This was disclosed by the police in a statement that, “The security sector has been following intelligence regarding the activities of certain individuals, including senior military officers, working to undermine the peace and tranquillity of the state.” 

   “In that regard, several arrests have been made and the suspects are assisting the police with the investigations.”

   It said the suspects planned to use peaceful protests scheduled for next week “as a guise to unleash violent attacks against state institutions and peaceful citizens.” [192]

   [192] 'Coup in West Africa: Police arrest military officers ‘planning’ to topple Sierra Leonean govt', Vanguard, 1 August 2023, 20231120085217

   The article did not indicate who the suspects were, what specifically they were planning or if they had links to any political party.[193]

   [193] 'Coup in West Africa: Police arrest military officers ‘planning’ to topple Sierra Leonean govt', Vanguard, 1 August 2023, 20231120085217

   In a PoliticoSL article dated 10 November 2023, it was reported that the Organizing Secretary of the opposition, All Peoples Congress (APC) party in Bonthe District, Robert Kamara, was arrested and denied bail for allegedly insulting President Julius Maada Bio on the 4th October, 2023. The article stated that ‘he was charged with 3 counts ranging from Cyber Bulling to Sending False Message by Means of Computer System and Sending Insulting Message by Means of Computer System.’[194] The article also reports on the allegation that BBC Correspondent in Sierra Leone, Umaru Fofana, was attacked by APC supporters during the party’s Press Conference at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on 14th June 2023.[195]

   The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED)[196] website aggregates incidents of political violence or demonstrations across Africa. Of the months available since the 24 June 2023 election, August, September and October, only five events were recorded in Sierra Leone that were not deemed key events. In September there was one case of political violence recorded and three demonstrations[197], while in August there was one case of case of political violence recorded.[198] No further details were located about these events.

   Country information indicates that protests against the SLPP were planned and did occur in the months after the election. A 6 August 2023 article by Cocorioko reported that the National Security Coordinator of Freetown instructed people not to participate in protests against the SLPP government planned on social media for the following week, noting that no person or group has requested permission from the police to hold such protests. The article notes ‘[t]he main organizer of the protests appear to be the social media political commentator and organizer simply known as ADEBAYOR.’[199] It is unclear if the ‘Adebayor’ referred to in this article is the same entity named ‘Adebayor’, a social media personality referred to by the Sierra Leone Telegraph in 2020 as living in the Netherlands and allegedly being harassed by SLPP followers there,[200] who may also be the same ‘Adebayor’ referred to as a ‘social media activist’ against the Bio regime, living in Belgium in an May 2023 by Cocorioko[201], and as Mr William Kamara based in Holland as reported by Cocorioko in October 2023.[202]

   Cocorioko reported that members of the public interest group the People’s Power in Politics (PPP) held large protests against the President on 11 September in Freetown and other parts of the country.[203] While the website Crisis24 that reports on security risks noted that the anti-government protests planned for the 11 September 2023 were nationwide and organised by political activists affiliated with the APC.[204] The online news publication Sahara Reporters also reported on the protests, noting, ‘There is ongoing protest in Moyamba, Freetown in Sierra Leone, over election malpractices during the 2023 general elections and the killing of opposition party members, Sahara Reporters[205] learnt from eyewitnesses.’[206] The article noted that military personnel shot at protesters to quell the protest with one person being hit.[207] The killing of opposition party members referred to in this article is likely the incident on 26 June 2023 referred to in previous Q&A 20230710154414, referencing the Sahara Reporters article dated 27 June 2023. In a later article, the online news publication Dubawa[208] reported on the 11 September violence in an article dated 1 October 2023. It reported that the Sierra Leone’s Association of Journalists (SLAJ) confirmed that two people died during the demonstration, and that the APC denied organising or participating in the demonstration, but no additional detail was provided as to how the deaths occurred.[209] Limited detail was provided about the conduct of the police or the demonstrators, but the police referred to the event as an ‘illegal protest’, while one witness referenced in the article stated the ‘police should be held responsible for the violence associated with the demonstration.’[210] The article pointed to ‘Adebayor’ (referred to above) as being behind the demonstration, stating:

   It is still unclear who the masterminds of the violent demonstration are. However, in DUBAWA’s quest to uncover more information, the researcher found a video posted a day before the violent demonstration.

   The video was posted by the popular “King Adebayor” – a Sierra Leonean immigrant based in Holland. Adebayor has been accused of masterminding similar protests and sit-down strikes, including the August 10, 2022, violent protest.

   In the 0:40-second video, posted on Twitter, Adebayor is heard calling on Sierra Leoneans to come out and not be afraid.[211]

   While COISS found only limited open source reporting about political violence, arrests and protests after the June election, and the political impasse between the APC and the SLPP has resolved at this time, members of civil society have raised concerns about the conduct of President Maada Bio. In a petition brought to the UN Secretary General in New York in October 2023 by leading Sierra Leonean human rights activist Dr. Alfred A. Veenod Fullah and members of the PPP, the group complained about alleged ‘human rights abuses and extrajudicial and politically motivated crimes committed against the people of Sierra Leone by President Maada Bio, since he came to power in 2018.’ A similar petition was sent to the International Criminal Court in the Hague.[212]

   [194] 'MRCG reviews Sierra Leone media freedom issues', Politico SL, 10 November 2023, 20231117145529

   [195] 'MRCG reviews Sierra Leone media freedom issues', Politico SL, 10 November 2023, 20231117145529

   [196] ‘The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is a disaggregated data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping project. ACLED collects information on the dates, actors, locations, fatalities, and types of all reported political violence and protest events around the world. The ACLED team conducts analysis to describe, explore, and test conflict scenarios, and makes both data and analysis open for free use by the public.’: 'Regional Overview Africa September 2023 - zoomed in on Sierra Leone ', ACLED, 5 October 2023, 20231120121145

   [198] 'Regional Overview Africa August 2023 - zoomed in on Sierra Leone ', ACLED, 8 September 2023, 20231120121742

   [199] 'Security sector concerned about demonstration planned against SLPP government Monday', Cocorioko, 6 August 2023, 20231120104133

   [200] 'Adebayor hunted for alleged incitment of violence in Sierra Leone', Bob Massally, The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 14 May 2020, 20231120110418

   [201] 'Who do Sierra Leoneans obey more : Adebayor or Maada Bio ?', Cocorioko, 2 May 2023, 20231120111210

   [202] 'Criminal Samura & APC Crooks Betray Voters as Dialogue Gives Bio Green Light to Kill More People', Abu Shaw , Cocorioko, 19 October 2023, 20231120150909

   [203] 'UPDATE ON DAY OF PROTESTS : Sierra Leone shut down once again by PPP; Shops closed, pockets of street protests', Cocorioko, 11 September 2023, 20231117163842

   [204] 'Sierra Leone: Anti-government protests to occur nationwide Sept. 11', Crisis24, 20 November 2023, 20231120152510

   [205] Source Note: The website of Sahara Reporters states that it is an online community of international reporters and social advocates based in New York dedicated to bringing you commentaries, features, news reports from a Nigerian-African perspective. A unique organization, founded in the spirit of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, comprising of ordinary people with an overriding commitment to seeking the truth and publishing it without fear or favor. 

   [206] 'BREAKING: Protest Breaks Out In Sierra Leone Over Electoral Malpractices As Military Shoots At Protesters', Sahara Reporters, 11 September 2023, 20231120151402

   [207] 'BREAKING: Protest Breaks Out In Sierra Leone Over Electoral Malpractices As Military Shoots At Protesters', Sahara Reporters, 11 September 2023, 20231120151402

   [208] Source Note: The website of DUBAWA states that it is a West African independent verification and fact-checking project, initiated by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and supported by the most influential newsrooms and civic organisations in West Africa to help amplify the culture of truth in public discourse, public policy, and journalistic practice. It has a presence in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia.

   [209] 'The debacle of September 11 and Sierra Leone’s violent protest', Dubawa, 1 October 2023, 20231120155438

   [210] 'The debacle of September 11 and Sierra Leone’s violent protest', Dubawa, 1 October 2023, 20231120155438

   [211] 'The debacle of September 11 and Sierra Leone’s violent protest', Dubawa, 1 October 2023, 20231120155438

   [212] 'We Have the Ability to Render Bio’s Illegal Regime Ungovernable – Dr Fullah Warns', Cocorioko, 11 November 2023, 20231120131040; 'Concerned Sierra Leoneans present petition to UN Secretary General against President Bio', The Sierra Leone Telegraph, 23 October 2023, 20231117161059

(b)     the protection is durable; and

(c)     in the case of protection provided by the relevant State—the protection consists of an appropriate criminal law, a reasonably effective police force and an impartial judicial system.

…

36     Protection visas – criteria provided for by this Act

…

(2)A criterion for a protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is:

(a)     a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the person is a refugee; or

(aa)  a non-citizen in Australia (other than a non-citizen mentioned in paragraph (a)) in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the Minister has substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the non-citizen being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there is a real risk that the non-citizen will suffer significant harm; or

(b)     a non-citizen in Australia who is a member of the same family unit as a non-citizen who:

(i)is mentioned in paragraph (a); and

(ii)holds a protection visa of the same class as that applied for by the applicant; or

(c)     a non-citizen in Australia who is a member of the same family unit as a non-citizen who:

(i)is mentioned in paragraph (aa); and

(ii)holds a protection visa of the same class as that applied for by the applicant.

(2A)A non‑citizen will suffer significant harm if:

(a)     the non‑citizen will be arbitrarily deprived of his or her life; or

(b)     the death penalty will be carried out on the non‑citizen; or

(c)     the non‑citizen will be subjected to torture; or

(d)     the non‑citizen will be subjected to cruel or inhuman treatment or punishment; or

(e)     the non‑citizen will be subjected to degrading treatment or punishment.

(2B)However, there is taken not to be a real risk that a non‑citizen will suffer significant harm in a country if the Minister is satisfied that:

(a)     it would be reasonable for the non‑citizen to relocate to an area of the country where there would not be a real risk that the non‑citizen will suffer significant harm; or

(b)     the non‑citizen could obtain, from an authority of the country, protection such that there would not be a real risk that the non‑citizen will suffer significant harm; or

(c)     the real risk is one faced by the population of the country generally and is not faced by the non‑citizen personally.

…

Newsweek, 24 November 2022, 20221202193219; See also: ‘Hon. Chernor Maju Bah Says Conditions for PR System Do Not Exist’, Kef, A, The Calabash Newspaper (Sierra Leone), 26 October 2022, 20221205191652