The AIG East Mr. Thomas Lahai has on June 27, 2020, met with representatives of the Children Forum Network Sierra Leone (CFN) and Kenema Women in Governance Network (KWIGN) at his Regional Command Office in Kenema where he condemned sexual and Gender Based Violence. His condemnation came amidst protests by women and other rights groups on the aftermath of the alleged rape and murder of a five-year-old girl in Freetown.
Protests have been organized in the capital city of Freetown which had been replicated in Kono and now two organizations are planning to protest in solidarity in a quest for justice for the five year old.
In an interviewed with our correspondent in Kenema the police media boss Prince Jaygboi Karama told this medium that the AIG East, Mr. Thomas M. Lahai immediately summoned both organizations and acknowledged that he had received letters of request for security clearance and coverage for a protest which he had also earnestly perused.
According to the police media boss, the AIG expressed condolences on behalf of his institution and condemned Gender Based Violence (GBV) in any form. He said that Lahai disclosed that he had called the meeting to collectively look into both letters and try to develop a plan that would be impressive to both the two institutions and the Kenema Community itself for the conduct of a peaceful protest.
The Police Media Head said that the AIG after having listened to both parties called the attention of the Social Welfare Representative, Deputy Director East Haja Alice Jeneba Koroma, who confirmed receipt of copies of the above mentioned letters and as a responsible ministry had advised the two institutions to see the AIG for further details and security advice. The AIG in return drew the attention of all to the present COVID – 19 pandemic catastrophes and remind the gathering that the Virus still exists in our midst.
He said processions are part of the democratic rights of people and must be upheld by any state, but also opined that at this point in time, greater consideration must be given to the Covid – 19 regulations at anytime.
The Police Media Boss suggested that if they wanted to make themselves heard and they could call for signatures of solidarity, they would invite stakeholders like the Resident Minister and the Mayor to make statements and display placards in the eyes of the public through media coverage which will multiply and carry their message far and beyond.
The AIG called on the two organizations to critically look into his suggestion and as patriots, evaluate both out comes to see which one is preventive, acceptable and conductive for the purpose of security.
By Mohamed Mansaray – Kenema
3/7/2020. ISSUE NO.: 7858