The August 10 protest aftermath: Family of young advocate allegedly on the run for his safety, in frantic search for their relative

By: Charles Conteh, Guest Writer

The aftermath of the well-known uprising that occurred on August 10, six months ago, continues to be a painful experience for the Sesay family in Black Hall, a suburb in Sierra Leone’s capital city, Freetown, as well as in the towns of Makeni, Lungi, and Kamakwie in the Northern provinces. The Sesay family say they’re devastated over the sudden disappearance of their son, Sheik Umar Sesay, who went missing last August whom they have not seen or heard from him for over six months. What adds to their distress they say is a recent raid conducted by the police on their house, resulting in the destruction of his property, but the police claim that Sheik as a suspect is wanted to face further interrogation for allegedly inciting youth to participate in the August 10 demonstration protesting against the high cost of living. According to Sheik's parents, their son was known for his cheerful nature and was beloved by his peers and the elderly for his courage in advocating for justice and a better quality of life, particularly for the youth. The news from the Sierra Leone Police about the bench warrant issued for his arrest, coupled with rumors circulating about the harsh treatment he would face, has only heightened their anxiety.

In their desperation, they have approached me to help raise awareness about their son's disappearance and to provide any information we may have regarding his whereabouts. Mr. Sesay, Sheik's father, expressed his confidence in my ability to share their story. Another family member, Mr. Foday Mohamed Sesay, is hopeful that either Sheik's location will soon be uncovered or that my report will help prove his innocence to the police, establishing that he is not a criminal. Sheik is known for being a vocal advocate, as a member of the non-political group "Love Salone and Lef Bad Heart," a group established by Netherland based Sierra Leonean and self-proclaimed champion of the people, known as "ADEBAYOR." He further shared that his nephew was apprehended during the demonstration on August 10th due to accusations of being one of the main leaders and organizers of the civilian protest. “On that day, he and others were taken to Bengazi, a police detention facility situated in the central part of Freetown, which is known to be one of the most dangerous prisons in the country. He claimed that his nephew was ruthlessly tortured based on allegations of involvement in the protest, which resulted in casualties. "While detained at the Bengazi police prisons, some of the suspects were tragically killed, while others were released, specifically those with connections to the south-west and eastern regions. These individuals were targeted due to their ethnicity and names, as it was believed that the protest was instigated by northerners, who are perceived as supporters of the opposition All People's Congress (APC) party,” Mr. Sesay noted. Additionally, Sheik's uncle mentioned that some of the other suspects were taken to the hospital for medical treatment, and their family members were also brought there so that the police could further interrogate them and extract valuable information regarding their alleged involvement in the August 10th protest, and during this time, my nephew managed to escape from the hospital with the assistance of a sympathetic police officer. Nonetheless, it has been discovered that since August of the previous year until now, Sheik has not been sighted and recent rumours suggest that he may have sought refuge in either Liberia or Guinea, fearing for his life as a fugitive. Returning home seems nearly impossible since his whereabouts remain unknown, and the police search still in progress implies that he will face severe consequences if apprehended.