Claim- APC Supporters Clash with Police at the APC Party Headquarters in Freetown.
Verdict- FALSE
Context- A claim circulating on social media and other platforms alleges that supporters of the All People's Congress (APC) clashed with the Sierra Leone Police near the APC Party Headquarters on Old Railway Line in Freetown.
The incident reportedly involved people chanting slogans calling for electoral justice in response to the growing tensions following the APC's loss to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in the June 2023 elections.
Evidence- While videos and reports confirm a clash between individuals and the police in the vicinity of the APC Party Headquarters, there is no verifiable evidence linking the individuals involved to the APC. Sierra Check reached out to the APC National Publicity Secretary, Sidi Yaya Tunis, who strongly refuted any suggestion that the party was involved in or endorsed any clashes or turmoil.
He clarified that the APC was holding a peaceful meeting with a joint international mission and had requested police presence for security reasons. Tunis emphasized that anyone not involved in the meeting should not be permitted to cause disruptions.
“There are no skirmishes at our party office. We have a meeting with a joint international mission, and we called the police to provide coverage for that meeting. Those who are supposed to be in the meeting are to be allowed in, and those who have no business should not be allowed to roam around or cause chaos. It is quiet and peaceful here.”
In support of this, a letter dated October 14, 2024, from APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya to the Sierra Leone Police, requested police presence to maintain order during the scheduled meeting.
Conclusion: Although there were incidents between individuals and the police near the APC Headquarters, the claim that these were APC supporters clashing with law enforcement is False. The APC's leadership confirmed that the event was a peaceful meeting with international observers and that they had requested police security to ensure order.
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