By Saidu Dumbuya
Dr. Samura Kamara, two-time presidential candidate of Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All Peoples Congress (APC), has reportedly gone into hiding following an invitation by the Sierra Leone Police’s Cyber Crime Unit for questioning. The invitation is believed to be linked to a public message he delivered on Independence Day.
Despite the police summons, Dr. Kamara has not presented himself for questioning and is reportedly out of town. In response, heavily armed personnel from the Operational Support Division (OSD) of the Sierra Leone Police have blockaded his two residences in Freetown — one in Malama, Lumley, and the other at Hill Station.
The blockade began roughly two days after Dr. Kamara failed to respond to the police’s invitation, heightening political tension across the capital.
In a message posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Kamara called on the international community to urge President Julius Maada Bio to de-escalate the situation and safeguard national peace.
“I am deeply concerned and apprehensive that armed security personnel have occupied and blockaded my two residences in Freetown on this Labor Day,” he wrote. “As the APC party’s presidential candidate for the June 2023 elections, I urge the international community and moral guarantors of Sierra Leone’s political transition to intervene promptly and address this security matter.”
He further warned of a potentially explosive situation, stating that the safety of his family, close associates, and ordinary Sierra Leoneans could be at risk.
The controversy follows the circulation of a video in which Dr. Kamara allegedly referred to himself as the “President-elect” of Sierra Leone. This has fueled speculation that the police investigation may be politically motivated. Some political analysts view the summons as an attempt to silence a prominent opposition figure under the pretext of investigating electoral conduct.
Dr. Kamara, who contested the presidency in both the 2018 and 2023 elections under the APC banner, lost on both occasions to President Bio, according to results declared by the Electoral Commission. This is not the first time he has declined a police invitation; a similar incident occurred in February this year.
In his Independence Day address, Dr. Kamara emphasized themes of national unity, integrity, and active citizenship, reflecting on the country’s past and advocating for a future driven by shared responsibility.
“Independence is not just a history we celebrate — it is a responsibility we carry forward,” he declared.
He urged the youth to reject division and commit to national service. “Let us choose unity over conflict,” he said, outlining his vision for a Sierra Leone free of corruption and filled with opportunity.
Dr. Kamara also expressed deep concern about political propaganda and broken promises, calling for greater accountability and truth in public leadership.
In a follow-up statement issued on May 1st, Kamara described the armed presence at his homes as a direct threat to peace and stability, warning that the situation could lead to unrest if left unaddressed.
“I am alarmed that armed security personnel have surrounded and effectively taken over both of my residences in Freetown,” he said.
“This is a deeply troubling development. I implore the international community to hold President Bio accountable for maintaining peace and to help prevent a crisis that could destabilize our already fragile democracy.”
International bodies such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations have previously expressed commitment to post-election peacebuilding in Sierra Leone. As of press time, none have issued official statements regarding the current standoff.
