The All People’s Congress (APC) in Sierra Leone has confirmed that its National Secretary General has been detained by the Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police.
Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya, who is currently in police custody, maintains that he is being detained for engaging in what he described as normal political discourse. According to him, his comments were made on a political platform to reinforce the APC’s position regarding the controversial 2023 general elections.
An erudite political commentator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, condemned what he described as the misrepresentation of the APC scribe’s comments. He argued that interpreting or distorting the statements of a key political figure is not the business of the police, describing the force as being used as a tool to oppress the opposition.
“The international community should step in immediately to prevent chaos in the country,” the commentator warned, adding that the ruling government has reached its limit in suppressing a popular political party with significant numerical strength to resist tyranny.
He further noted that the ECOWAS Chairman, President Julius Maada Bio, should be reminded of his responsibility to maintain peace—not only within the wider sub-region, but also at home—emphasizing that charity should begin at home.