A report from the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has recommended that law enforcement officials speedily conclude investigations into the alleged killing of Makeni citizens on 18th July 2020, and for those responsible to be dismissed from the force. The report was launched at the commission’s headquarters on Tower Hill in Freetown on Tuesday 18th August 2020, a month after the riot. According to the commission, on 30th May 2020, a stakeholders’ meeting was held between the Makeni City Council and the Ministry of Energy to discuss the relocation of the 1.6 megawatts generator to Lungi International Airport.
Due to the mayor’s unexpected illness, other stakeholders including community people had no idea on action points taken, as none of the council’s key authorities engaged the people of Makeni. Officials from the Ministry of Energy did not also do a follow up on the action points taken at the 30th May meeting; and as a result, discussions on the relocation of the generator stalled. Going forward, a night before the generator was to be relocated, some youths on motorbikes along Magburka Road, where the commission’s office is located, were heard sending messages to others saying, “Come out and resist the transfer of the generator.”
The following morning, rioters went on a rampage and started destroying buildings including the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and the office of the Sierra Leone People’s Party. The Sierra Leone Police, assisted by the OSD and a standby MACP in Makeni, were called in to restore order. In the end, six people were reportedly killed.
Meanwhile, the commission proffered several recommendations in the report, including:
- Going forward, the police should stop taking fire arms containing live rounds to scenes of protest/demonstrations except where it is extremely necessary. They should instead use rubber bullets and other lawful devices and means to disperse protesters or quelling down protests.
- The Government of Sierra Leone should make provision that will better equip the police with riot safety gears and devices that will enable them to professionally respond to riots without the loss of lives from both sides.
- The police should swiftly conclude investigations into the incident and identify those personnel who may have killed citizens, dismiss them from the force, prosecute them in court or in a court martial as the case may be.
- The police should swiftly investigate and prosecute individuals who caused damage to property during the riot and other forms of violent conduct.
- Police should cease co-opting with the military at every given opportunity during protests unless and until the circumstance truly demands military aid to civil power.
- Youth should endeavour at all times to engage their representatives and other community leaders in a bid to channel their grievances rather than resort to lawlessness.
- Government should bear the medical cost for the injured victims.
- Both the central government and local government should frequently engage their beneficiaries/residents, informing them how governance works and how they themselves as the beneficiaries should contribute to the process. The National Council for Civic Education and Development should take the lead on this, among others.
Chairperson, HRCSL, Patricia Narsu Ndanema, noted that Section 7(2a) of the Commission’s Act gives them the mandate to investigate and enquire into human rights abuses by state and non-state actors, adding that the commission has powers to enforce compliance after proffering recommendations.
However, she said while we all have rights, they should go with responsibility. Deputy Chairperson, HRCSL, Victor I. Lansana reiterated that Section 8 of the Act gives them the power to enforce compliance, adding that they as commissioners hold the rank of High Court Judge when investigating matters. He also stressed the need for youths to desist from violent activities, and learn to go through the appropriate lawful channels when a situation arises.
By Sulaiman Karim Sesay