FREETOWN – Dr. Samura Kamara, the 2023 presidential flagbearer of Sierra Leone’s main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), has raised alarm over an alleged armed blockade of his two residences in the capital by security forces.
In a statement released on May 1st, coinciding with Labor Day, Kamara described the presence of armed personnel around his homes as a direct threat to his safety, that of his family, and the broader peace and stability of the nation.
“This is a deeply troubling development,” he stated, warning of the potential for unrest. “I am alarmed that armed security personnel have surrounded and effectively taken over both of my residences in Freetown.”
Calling for international intervention, Kamara urged diplomatic actors and stakeholders in Sierra Leone’s ongoing political transition to take urgent action. He specifically appealed to President Julius Maada Bio to step in and de-escalate the situation.
“I implore the international community to hold President Bio accountable for ensuring peace and to help prevent a crisis that could destabilize our already fragile democracy,” Kamara added.
The former foreign minister warned that the lives of his family members, political allies, and ordinary citizens could be endangered if the situation continues unchecked.
As of Thursday morning, neither the government nor the country’s security apparatus had issued a formal response or clarification regarding the alleged blockade.
The development follows lingering tensions from the June 2023 general elections, which were marred by allegations of irregularities and have since sparked concerns about Sierra Leone’s democratic stability.
International bodies, including ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, have previously pledged to support post-election peacebuilding efforts in the West African nation.
