Police Officer Faces Egregious Harassment Amid Political Unrest
Sahr Emmanuel Sansie, a serving officer in the Sierra Leone Police Force and many of his compatriots, are currently subjected to harrowing acts of intimidation, wrongful accusations, and threats following the country’s recent political instability. His story reveals the tense and polarized state of Sierra Leone’s political landscape after the June 2023 elections.
Sansie, who previously served in the Vice Presidential Guard force from 2011 to 2018, found himself entangled in post-election controversies. After President Julius Maada Bio secured re-election in June 2023, the election process faced international criticism for a lack of transparency. The All People’s Congress (APC), the main opposition party, rejected the results, boycotted parliamentary proceedings for four months, and alleged manipulation of the outcome. This climate of distrust set the stage for increased scrutiny of government opponents and public servants.
Two months after the elections, in August 2023, authorities launched investigations and arrested several individuals, accusing them of plotting a coup against the government. Sansie was accused of being loyal to the opposition APC due to his previous affiliation with the former Vice President. He was interrogated and had his phones searched, though no incriminating evidence was found. He wa s eventually allowed to resume duty, but his troubles were far from over.
On November 26, 2023, armed gunmen raided a military armory and several prisons in Freetown, an incident the government blamed on opposition forces.
Sansie, like many others in the police force, faced harassment and was unfairly linked to the attack. On January 3, 2024, he was arrested and interrogated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a week. Officers accused him of aiding the unknown gunmen and alleged that his loyalty to the opposition party was evidence of complicity. Despite denying all allegations, Sansie was threatened with dismissal, jail time, or forced resignation.
Sansie’s ordeal sheds light on the challenges faced by public servants caught in the crossfire of Sierra Leone’s political tensions. His account raises concern about civil rights, political persecution, and the broader consequences of the country’s post-election unrest. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the government will address these allegations and whether steps will be taken to ensure fair treatment of public officials and opposition sympathizers.
As at press time, Sansie’s whereabouts remain unknown, while authorities have now declared him wanted for his alleged role in the events of November 26th last year.