Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All Peoples Congress (APC) has denied reports that surfaced on social media and other platforms alleging that their supporters clashed with Sierra Leone Police near the Party Headquarters on Old Railway Line, Freetown.
The clashes reportedly followed chants for electoral justice after the APC’s loss to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in the June 2023 elections.
However, APC officials have strongly denied any involvement in these incidents, clarifying that the party had been holding a peaceful meeting with a joint international mission.
In an interview with Sierra Check, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Sidi Yaya Tunis, dismissed claims that APC supporters were involved in any clashes.
“There are no skirmishes at our party office. We have a meeting with a joint international mission, and we called the police to provide coverage for that meeting. Those who are supposed to be in the meeting are to be allowed in, and those who have no business should not be allowed to roam around or cause chaos. It is quiet and peaceful here,” Tunis stated.
A letter dated October 14, 2024, from the APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya to the Sierra Leone Police, further confirmed the party’s request for police presence during the meeting to ensure order.
Although videos and reports show incidents between individuals and police near the APC headquarters, no verifiable evidence links the individuals involved to the party.
Based on the statements from the APC leadership, Sierra Check concluded that the claim of APC supporters clashing with law enforcement is false. The event in question was a peaceful meeting with international observers, with police called in for security purposes.
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