By Abdul Bero Kamara ( Chief)
The recent visit of the International Criminal Court (ICC) boss, Mr Karim AA Khan, to Freetown has sparked speculation and raised questions as the government has kept the visit shrouded in secrecy. Typically, the public would expect to be informed about the arrival of such a high-profile international figure, leading many to wonder about the motives behind the government’s decision to keep this visit under wraps.
The timing of Khan’s visit is particularly noteworthy, coinciding with the arrest and imprisonment of prominent journalist Emmanuel Thorli, the proprietor and editor of the Night Watch, for exercising his freedom of speech. This has raised concerns about the state of press freedom and human rights in Sierra Leone under the current administration of President Bio.
Given the circumstances surrounding Thorli’s arrest and the government’s silence on Prosecutor Khan’s visit, some have speculated about a possible connection between the two events. Could Khan’s visit be related to fact-finding missions regarding the alleged atrocities that have occurred under President Bio’s watch, including incidents in Tombo, Makeni, Tonko, Lunsar, Freetown, and others? The silence and secrecy surrounding the visit only add to the intrigue and fuel suspicions about the government’s intentions and potential accountability for past actions.
As the public awaits further information and clarity on the purpose of Mr Khan’s visit and its implications for the country, the situation in Sierra Leone remains tense, with concerns about freedom of expression, human rights violations, and the need for transparency and accountability at the forefront of public discourse.
