Participating in Political Protest… Fatmata Jalloh Faces Death Threats
By Sulaiman T Jalloh
Just after the June 24, 2023 General Elections, supporters of the All People’s Congress Party (the main opposition party) converged at their party’s headquarters in Brookfields to celebrate, claiming that they have won the election. The supporters were celebrating and teasing the incumbent SLPP Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, accusing him of shedding blood and imposing more hardship on the country.
Fatmata Jalloh, who resides at No.5 Ross Road, was identified as one of the participants in that protest, who were venting their anger against the bad Governace system of the SLPP Government.
The Protest was initially peaceful, but later turned violent when the Police used live ammunition and teargas to disperse the huge crowd.
In a statement issued by the Sierra Leone Police, it states that “When the situation became unbearable, the Police had to fire teargas cannisters so as to disperse the crowd”.
A Woman was killed during the protest. The Spokesman of the APC, Sidie Yayah Tunis, confirmed that one woman died in the incident.
“Haja Dumbuya was downstairs in the medical unit-she is a nurse- we have a little health care in our office, that is where she is working”, The APC Spokesman told Journalists, adding that the party was holding a Press Conference, while some of their supporters were processing peacefully. He also confirmed the arrest of some APC Supporters.
The APC Freetown Mayoral candidate, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, was inside the Party office when the incident occurred. “I am in the Party office and we are under fire”, She tweeted.
The Police have made several arrest of people caught in the protest, and are still receiving reports that others are on the run. The police has insisted that they will search for all those who were involved in that protest.
After that incident, the ruling party youths (SLPP Youths) mobilized themselves and started pointing accusing fingers on some individuals believed to be Sympathizers of the APC. Fatmata Jalloh was among those identified by SLPP Thugs, as sympathiser of the APC. The Thugs raided the home of Fatmata, and assaulted her.
According to family sources, on June 20th 2024, while walking along Siaka Steven Street in central Freetown in the company of a friend, youths of the SLPP confronted and accused her of supporting the APC. They identified themselves as SLPP and wore a green T-Shirt with the party logo printed on it. An argument ensued between them and these Youths threatened to deal with her. Her Friend advised her to leave which she did.
They went on to explain that on the night of June 26th, after the APC supporters staged a peaceful protest at their party office, the SLPP youths stormed the house of Fatmata Jalloh at No.5 Ross Road, around 11:00 pm, heavily banging the front door and forcing their way into the house, weilding sticks, knives and cutlass. They then pounced on her with sticks and in the event, she sustained injuries and bodily pain. She was rushed to the hospital.
Family Source contacted by this Newspaper confirmed that fatmata was admitted in the hospital, but that her condition is getting better now. They later informed us about the discharge of her from the hospital and her returned sometimes in July.
A month later, the youths stormed the house of Fatmata and threatened to kill her. Since then, the whereabouts of Fatmata is yet unknown. Her assailants then embarked on a house-to House search, which also proved futile, as she is said to have gone into hiding. This Newspaper will continue to monitor event as they unfold.
