By Richmond B Tholley
The Bombali District Human Rights Committee said on Monday 20th November, 2023, that it is gravely disturbed by tribal statements uttered by the Resident Minister of the Northeast Region, Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma, on a widely shared video on social media.
The minister’s utterances, the Committee said, are unfortunate and unacceptable. The statements, the Committee also said, tend to undermine the ongoing peace process in the country.
“The statement tends to undermine the ongoing efforts of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion as well as exacerbate the already polarized situation in the country,” the Committee states in a press statement released on Monday.
A viral video capturing the Resident Minister calling members of the Temne ethnic group uncivilized is making the news on social media. Sierra Leonean citizens across the world have condemned the minister’s utterances.
The minister further stated he decided not to build houses in Makeni, a city dominated by the Temnes, because of “the uncivilized attitudes of the Temne people.”
As the Committee charged with the protection of human rights, the Bombali District Human Rights Committee deemed Abu Abu’s statement as breaking the peace citizens have been enjoying, and called on him to resign immediately.
A few years ago, the Committee noted, the same minister was also seen in a video inciting and ordering the military and police to shoot and kill citizens who dared protest against the government.
Accordingly, the Committee urged the government and security sector to look into the matter and take action.
Since his appointment as the Resident Minister of Northeast, Hon Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma has always been in the spotlight for making statements that are less expected of a national figure and politicians with large followers.
