Sierra Leone: Council of Churches in Sierra Leone – Statement on the Events of the Past Few Days (11.08.2022)

Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone Police (SLP) – Preliminary Report – Destruction to property and loss of lives occassioned by violent protests on August 10, 2022, in Sierra Leone (11.08.2022)

Sierra Leone: All Peoples Congress (APC) – Immediate Release (10.08.2022)

Sierra Leone: Association of Sierra Leone (ASIL) – Open Letter – Letter of Protest by Association of Sierra Leone (ASIL) Against Foreign Governments who issued Citizenship & Residency to individuals who threaten the National Security & Sustainable Development of Sierra Leone (10.08.2022)

Sierra Leone: Brutal crackdown on demonstrations against the high cost of living

As a government, we have the responsibility to protect every citizen of Sierra Leone. What happened today was unfortunate and will be fully investigated. I urge all Sierra Leoneans to be calm” – President Julius Maada Bio (10.08.2022)

In Freetown in Sierra Leone things has really sparked out of hand. The public has gone tired of inaction and lack of concern from the authorities. The public have been blocked from protesting and citizens has been arrested for doing so. Therefore, what is happening these is a further escalation from that. Youths was putting cars on fire and chanting “Maada Bio Must Go!”.

What is shown by the state is tear-gas, live-bullets and deployment of soldiers to quell the demonstrations. The demonstrations that continue to happen, as the state and it’s leadership are busy eating. A President who is often travelling and not looking into the issues of the state. That’s why the people are getting tired and feel left behind. As their woes are worsening and with no remedies in sight.

There reports of people dying in the streets, because of how the authorities cracked down on the protests today. They answered with violence and depressing means, which means innocent civilians dies over basic needs and not able to voice their grievances. That’s a state that has given up and also justifies their means by violent means.

Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has issued a State of Emergency today and also a curfew, which is currently without an end-date. It is indefinitely and is a sign on how they want to operate. The numbers of dead is reported to be about 30 in total. While there was reports of demonstrations not only in the capital of Freetown, but also in the North in the country. That’s why the VP has issued nationwide curfew and State of Emergency. This is really showing how dire things are…

We should be worried, Sierra Leone is now bleeding. It is hurting because of the rise of inflation, the corrupt elite and polarized society, which haven’t been healed. There is so much hurt and pain. The government isn’t patching up the hurt, but instead causing more damage. They are not listening to the pleas, the plights or the concerns of the citizens. It is easier to fire to bullets, than to talk and listen, apparently. That’s not a sign of leadership, but a sign of misuse of power.

The soldiers and the brutality of the state will not salvage anything. Some might be more harden and militant in their approach to the state. Instead of talking, they might answer back and then we have a vicious cycle of violence, which no one is earning on. Only more blood and tears. No joy or progress, but more heartache.

It is time for the authorities, the state and the leaders to understand why the public is demonstrating. They need to deliver and listen. That’s why they are there and they have nowhere else to go. Because, there is no other place for them to show their pain and their hurt. However, that is clearly not accepted and their suffering isn’t a priority. If it was a priority… the state wouldn’t have ordered the soldiers to quell the demonstrators. They would have instead opened up their ear-holes and tried to comprehend the message from the ones hurting. However, that’s too much to ask from these gentlemen… Peace.

Sierra Leone: Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) – Press Release (10.08.2022)

Nigeria: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – Amb. Soni Abang: The Ignorance of a Politician on Sabbatical (09.08.2022)

Nigeria: Does President Buhari heart lie in Niamey?

I spoke to one Frenchman and I have to tell you this: I said to him, you people in 1885 sat down with ruler and pencil and drew the line. I have first cousins in Niger. There are Kanuris, there are Hausas, there are Fulanis in the Niger Republic. The same way there are Yorubas in Benin” – President Muhammadu Buhari (June 2021).

Now that the successor is launched and things are winding down. The President and Federal Government of Nigeria is continuing their expenditure or investment in Niger. When looking into the final term of President Buhari. It is easily to see that his spent fortunes on investment projects connecting and building in Niger. The final straw is apparently buying lots of Toyota Land Cruisers V8.

President Buhari will leave a legacy of lacking investments in the roads and railways inside most of Nigeria. A President who didn’t fix the insecurity or any of the vast promises he pledged since becoming President again in 2015. It has now been two terms and his ending. However, he will not fondly remembered and certainly not in the way he wants to be.

Someone called him during the time in office an android or even Jubril of Sudan. It could be possible that he was so connected in Niamey that he planned to leave and retire there. Instead of being in the nation, which he was the head of state off. That is certainly a possible aspect. Because, there is so many projects and government spending going that way. While he has also claimed to have cousins and relatives there. So, with the latest purchase of vehicles. It all makes some sort of sense now.

Just read these stories over the years. It is all aligned.

Vehicles bought:

Nigerians have reacted to a budget office document which showed that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the sum of N1.4bn to purchase vehicles for the Government of Niger Republic. Investigative journalist, David Hundeyin shared a photo of the document dated 28th July, 2022, via Twitter” (Tobi Adebayo – ‘Nigerians react as Buhari approves N1.4bn to purchase vehicles for Niger Republic’ 03.08.2022, ThisisNigeria.com).

Building two roads:

Naijauto learned the first road, Kurnya-Babura, at the Niger Republic border, runs through Jigawa State. It was approved for ₦19.7 billion. The second road called Bale-Kurdella, also at the Niger border, passes through Sokoto State and was awarded for ₦9.5 billion. Briefing journalists after the meeting Mr.Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works and Housing, stated the approval of the road project would boost business across the border. He went further to say Nigeria will be positioned to effectively implement the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement” (Jane Osuagwu – ‘FG approves ₦29.2b road construction from Nigeria to Niger Republic border’ 28.02.2020, NaijAuto.com).

Naming road and getting the highest national order:

President Muhammadu Buhari has named a road in the federal capital territory (FCT) after President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic. This is coming hours after President Buhari was awarded the highest national award of Niger Republic, Grand Croix Des Ordre National Du Niger, by his Nigerian counterpart” (Ripples Nigeria – ‘Buhari names Abuja expressway after Niger Republic president, in reciprocal action, 17.03.2021).

Building a railway:

Another sore point among Nigerians was the decision by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to construct a $2b rail line from Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic when critical rail lines and other road network connecting different regions of Nigeria have been abandoned” (Vanguard News Nigeria – ‘Insistence on unpopular policies/projects like open grazing, rail line to Niger Republic: How to stop Buhari — Lawyers’ 28.08.2021).

A retirement plan?

A former National Publicity Secretary of the `Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, has described President Muhammadu Buhari as an unpatriotic Nigerian. Ibegbu alleged that Buhari was more patriotic and loyal to Niger Republic than Nigeria, where he is the president. Speaking exclusively with DAILY POST, the former Ohanaeze spokesman, said Buhari would retire to Niger Republic in 2023 due to his loyalty to the country” (Seun Opejobi – ‘Buhari not loyal to Nigeria, will retire to Niger Republic in 2023 – Ohanaeze chieftain, Ibegbu’ 06.12.2021, Dailypost.ng).

It is hard to see this, because the great nation of Nigeria deserves better. Yes, Nigeria should be close and be an ally with their neighbours. They should ensure trade, commute and ensure the borders. Even do armed operations against militants or rebels if needed. However, Buhari has done much more than that. He and his Presidency has invested or created vast infrastructure projects. While also getting the biggest honour of Niger. That’s saying something and should be recognized.

He never was Jubril of Sudan. Nevertheless, he was someone in Niamey and was a staunch ally. He cared a lot about development, infrastructure and investing there. In such a manner, which haven’t been seen really elsewhere in the Nigerian republic itself. The acts in Niger Republic says it all really.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ties and connects to Niger. There is some underlaying reasons for all of this. Not only some SUVs but also railways and roads. That’s just too much and to convenient to not be anything more. There are to much Naira spent on this to not be something. The President has defended it so whole heartedly. This is why there has to be more underneath it all. There is something behind closed doors that could be revealed at a later date.

Buhari’s heart seems to beat of Niamey. I believe so, until proven otherwise. Peace.

Sierra Leone: Council of Churches in Sierra Leoone – Statement by the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone on Developments towards the Elections of June 2023 (20.07.2022)

Nigeria: All Progressive Congress (APC) – Communique of the Meeting of Christian Leaders of Northern Nigeria of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Party (11.07.2022)