Amidst the escalating campaign efforts leading up to the June 24th, 2023 elections in Sierra Leone, reports have emerged of an alleged assault on a member of the All People's Congress (APC) party by supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) in Pujehun. A video circulating on social media features a man, claiming to be an APC member, recounting how he was viciously beaten and had his teeth broken by SLPP supporters.
According to the individual in the video, he had been returning from his uncle's residence when he encountered a certain Mr Koroma, who asked him to bring a chair. While in the process of retrieving the chair, he encountered a group of individuals who accused him of carrying an APC chair. They demanded that he abandon it, threatening to kill him if he refused. Subsequently, they subjected him to a severe beating, resulting in his teeth being broken.
The APC publicity secretary for Pujehun District, who also appeared in the video, asserted that they had lodged multiple complaints regarding the attacks they have endured in the district. He emphasized the importance of bringing international attention to the actions of the SLPP, stating that there would come a point where they would no longer tolerate such intimidation.
"We have repeatedly lodged complaints and now urge the international community to take notice of the actions perpetrated by the SLPP. There will come a time when we will no longer accept this kind of bullying."
The spokesperson further alleged that the SLPP continually disrupts their campaign activities in Pujehun by organizing alternative events on the same dates approved for the APC's campaigns in the district.