APC Disowns Samura Kamara’s Supporters Over Protest For Electoral Justice

Sidi Yayah Tunis, the National Publicity Secretary of the All People’s Congress (APC), has condemned the riotous behaviour of people claiming to be supporters on the celebration’s headquarters on Old Railway Line, Freetown.

He attributed the unrest to the failure of key celebration figures, notably Dr. Samura Kamara, the APC’s 2023 presidential candidate, to obviously talk the outcomes of the Agreement of National Unity. Tunis made these remarks throughout an interview on native media.

“It’s unfortunate, and we wholeheartedly, as a political party, condemn it. We know people have the right to protest, but there are laws and proper ways to go about it. We contacted the police because, prior to the meeting, we had intelligence and saw several social media posts asking people to storm the party office with the intention of disrupting the meeting. As an executive, we felt obliged to contact the police because we didn’t want any disruptions. The meeting was very important,” Tunis said.

Tunis defined that the celebration had engaged worldwide ethical guarantors to replace them on the progress of the Agreement for National Unity and to debate the constructions put in place for implementing the tripartite suggestions.

He additionally expressed concern over how the protest was orchestrated. “People don’t just show up to protest; it must have been planned, communicated, incited, or ordered by someone. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly who, but we know that social media posts have been circulating, some from individuals living abroad. We also have video footage of people arriving in Freetown in a minibus, calling themselves defense for Samura Kamara.”

Tunis notably criticized senior celebration members, together with Dr. Samura Kamara, for failing to correctly talk the outcomes of the National Unity Agreement.

“It is our responsibility as a party and as leaders of the APC to ensure that we honestly and sincerely communicate the outcome of agreements to our membership and let them know exactly what those agreements entail. That’s where some of us have fallen short. I will not be hypocritical about it, this includes our presidential candidate. I think he has not communicated as succinctly, simply and clearly as the rest of us and the party have,” he added.

Tunis emphasised that celebration leaders shouldn’t draw back from confronting their supporters with the reality.

“We are leaders, and we are expected to lead. We should not let those we are supposed to lead take charge. Our job as leaders of political parties is to ensure that we present the facts on issues and provide solutions. If we fail to do that, others will step into the leadership role. It’s crucial that we take on this responsibility, guide our supporters, and help them understand what needs to be done if we hope to return to governance in this country.”