Anti-government protest on Monday, August 8, 2022 has hampered many businesses in Freetown and some regions in Sierra Leone. Many shops and businesses remained closed, and limited public vehicles plied the city while many people decided to stay at home.
Officials increased security in Freetown and other major towns in the country in response to anti-government demonstrations.
The National Security Coordinator released a statement on August 6, noting that it was following social media communications calling for protests. Officials have noted that no group has applied for permission to demonstrate and urged citizens to go about their normal activities.
The Sierra Leone Police deployed additional personnel to strategic locations across Freetown.
The central business of Freetown looked like public holiday as only few businesses ventured to trade. Many shops were closed and streets deserted. No protesters could be seen in the streets, but there was stay at home protest, which could be largely described as effective.
Even though assurances were given by the Office of National Security (ONS), the police and public officials, many businesses could not venture to open their shops for fear of being looted by hooligans who normally use the slightly of opportunity to steal.
Alimamy Turay is a businessman in central Freetown. He said that he did not open his shop because he did not want to take risk because he can’t preempt what will happen in the course of doing his business. He said they have lost a lot of money because they couldn’t do their normal business.
Spokesperson of the Office of National Security, Abdul Karim Will is quoted as saying that some shops did not open for business not as a sign of protesting, but as a sign of fear from been invaded by ‘hooligans and unauthorized looters’.
He said that peaceful demonstrations are a part of democracies, but that they must be carried out in line with laws and regulations.
Police Spokesman, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Brima Kamara said that the police are implementing Operation Calm Nation to assure people that the country remains peaceful and that there’s no reason to panic. He admonished people to go about their normal lawful businesses.
By Sallieu S. Kanu