September 21, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie
All praises go to you,AIG Karrow Kamara
The newly elected National Publicity Secretary of the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) has hailed the Sierra Leone Police force for their professionalism and conduct during the party’s national delegates’ convention in Kenema, east of the country.
There were fears from some members of the public that the SLPP convention of 15 and 16 September would degenerate in to violence and loss of lives. There were also doubts that the police in that part of the country would not be able to contain the party’s supporters during and after the convention.
However, those fears – many exaggerated – didn’t come to pass after the convention ended peacefully, with Dr. Prince Alex Harding elected as the new National Chairman and Leader to run the party’s affairs for the next two years.
In an interview with Concord Times yesterday, Retired Lieutenant Lahai Lawrence Leema said the conduct of the entire convention by officers of the SLP was excellent and that they conducted themselves properly.
“So far so good, the police were excellent. They properly conducted themselves during the convention. The place [venue] was more secured,” he said and added that the security forces were a top draw.
With regards fear of fighting and violence among rival supporters during the event, as expressed by ‘detractors’ prior to the event, Leema said their members and supporters didn’t have that in mind and that true to form, the entire event was more like a festivity.
Also, a senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, Dr. Charles Sylva told AYV Television’s ‘Front Page Review’ programme on Tuesday (September 19) that, other political parties should emulate the good example of the main opposition party by conducting peaceful conventions.
According to him, democracy was at play during the election of the party’s national officers.
When asked as to what was responsible for their ‘excellent’ performance in policing the SLPP convention, Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the east, Alfred Karrow-Kamara said: “Proper planning. Remember I told you that we started our preparations a month to the convention and all parties were involved.”
Because of the identification and analysis of threat and potential threat areas, AIG Karrow-Kamara maintained that those who had nothing to do at the convention venue were kept far away, so as to prevent unnecessary confusion and fighting.
“The SLPP delegates were very peaceful and respectful throughout the entire process,” he added.