By Hassan G.Koroma
Government officials at the press briefing
The final weekly government press briefing for 2024 was clouded with the issue surrounding the arrest of some members of the Fullah community in Sierra Leone by the Sierra Leone Police, an action described by many as retaliatory.
On the 10th of December, Guinean authorities arrested and forcefully deported dozens of Sierra Leoneans without prior communication with the Sierra Leonean government as protocol demands.
The Miatta Conference Hall was jam-packed with members of the Fullah community, who raised several concerns regarding the arrest and detention of their colleagues.
The Fullah Progressive Union (FPU) in Sierra Leone had complained of a direct profiling of their tribesmen by the Sierra Leone Police immediately after the ugly incident in Guinea.
They are worried that, what happened in the 70s when Fullahs were arrested and deported to Guinea by the then government of Siaka Stevens, does not repeat again in Sierra Leone.
However, speaking at the press briefing, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Timothy Kabba allayed the fears of the Fullah community that, ‘Nobody would be directed to profile any Fullah for deportation.
He said despite provocations from the Guinean side, the Government of Sierra Leone would never retaliate in similar nature because “President Bio stands to unite the citizens of the country irrespective of tribe. We are one country, one people.
“I am here speaking on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio that, he didn’t instruct anybody to arrest and deport anybody. President Bio believes that what is happening between both countries should be resolved diplomatically,” he said.
He said the Guinean authorities had stopped raiding and arresting Sierra Leoneans after series of engagements by the Government of Sierra Leone.
He said the Guinean government has through it ministry of foreign affairs tendered it apology for the arbitrary arrest and deportation of Sierra Leoneans, and that the President of Guinea has departed a delegation to Sierra Leone for further discussions.
