By Amin Kef-Ranger
The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles Esq, on the 4th July, 2022 made a passionate appeal to all Sierra Leoneans, especially to specific stakeholders, to keep the peace and stay calm maintaining that anger and hot headedness will not solve the country’s problems.
She cautioned the Police and all political parties to stop the anger as well as the issues of violence saying such will not help as already the World is facing a global crisis.
“A lot of Governments are facing backlash in different countries around the World,” she pointed out adding how it is so serious that Heads of States have run out of ideas as to how to help or pacify their people with Sierra Leone being no exception.
The Head of Legal Aid Board maintained that we all want the President to talk to us but asked what will he stating how she does not want to be his speech writer right now because she will be busy writing and scratching his lines should he say this or that.
She made a special appeal to women noting that indeed they are the ones who are really feeling the pinch as prices of basic commodities continue to hike everyday expressing the view that when women are unsettled men are also unsettled going on to plead to the men, husbands, relations to help women go through that phase.
“The effects of global issues are affecting all of us and third world countries are no exception,” she underscored adding how Sierra Leoneans need no more war in the country as there was too much suffering during those war years.
Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles Esq also appealed to petrol dealers and importers to please come out with a statement on where all of them are on the issue saying there are different countries like neighbouring Guinea where there is no petrol because the Government has reached a point where they cannot increase the price anymore. She said for Sierra Leoneans the Government has not stopped it saying it will be foolhardy to do so.
According to her, even though the world price changes by the minute some amount of mercy must be shown by players in the petroleum sector.
To the Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Sovula, she said he is one of the very important personalities in the country and knows that heading the Police Force is a very challenging job at this time.
She said she knows there are all sorts of laws to arrest people but maintained that at this moment people are angry and justifiably so, as the cost of living has gone through the roof.
“So tamper justice with mercy,” she continued to caution the IG adding how they see the price increment demonstrations around the world and know when people are that angry there is bound to be violence. She, however, pleaded with the IG to admit all arrested on bail.
“We pray that His Excellency our President will be given the wisdom to stir the country in this difficult time,” she expressed optimism adding how so many people in all countries are hurting right now around the World and Governments are faced with such serious strife.
She said right now the misunderstandings between citizens and their Governments stands unabated saying she heard the petrol leadership wants to increase the price again to twenty five thousand Leones due to the fluctuating price in the world market but pleaded for engaging the nation before such is done if it is true.
The Executive Director further appealed to the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce and other professional bodies, including Civil Society Organizations, to please step up and help.
She said Governments can easily be criticized but if the problem is beyond them those criticisms would be meaningless.
“Nobody needs tension right now,” she stated adding how he would never have thought that Russia’s fuel will play such a great role in the World. She expressed the wish for Russia and Ukraine to settle for the petrol hardship to solve. “Only God knows as I listen to World news,” she said adding that if wishes were horses beggars will ride.
She concluded by sending her very warm regards to all of those hurting out there right now asking for God’s protection and provision wishing Peace unto all.