Sierra Leone Telegraph: 01 May 2020:
Sources close to the family of Dr Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, who is the former social welfare minister in the Koroma led APC government, have confirmed in the last hour that Dr Blyden has been arrested by armed police officers, who arrived at her residence this morning at Cockle Bay in the far West of the capital Freetown.
This latest development follows the arrest of the wife of the former minister of defence – Retired Major Palo Conteh two nights ago in Freetown.
Palo Conteh has been charged with treason, and is in custody after allegations that he went to State House for a meeting with the president carrying a gun.
As political tension mounts in the country in the last few days, there have been calls on social media by several ruling SLPP party operatives for the arrest of Dr. Blyden whom they regard as a fierce critic of the Bio led government.
Three days ago, the country’s deputy internal affairs minister – Lahai Lawrence Leema made threatening statements about the possible arrest of Dr Blyden.
Just yesterday, the SLPP chairlady for the party’s Women’s wing – fatmata Sawaneh warned Dr Blyden in a recorded audio message published this morning by the Sierra Leone Telegraph, that life could be made difficult for Dr Blyden and others regarded as ‘subversives’.
And, just hours after publishing that audio message, Dr Blyden was this morning visited by truck loads of armed special security forces and was arrested.
The Sierra Leone Telegraph understands that Dr Blyden (Photo) has been taken to the Criminal Investigations Department in central Freetown for questioning.
But supporters of the opposition APC say that her arrest is a precurser for a major crackdown on political opponents in the country.
“This is not democracy, this is military-style dictatorship we now have in Sierra Leone, where the opposition cannot exercise freedom of speech and liberty to hold the government accountable without risking police arrest,” a senior executive of the APC who is now in hiding told the Sierra Leone Telegraph.
“The three days coronavirus lockdown declared by president Bio last night is a crackdown smokescreen to facilitate the arrest of opposition politicians using the State of Emergency that the country is now under. God help Sierra Leone,” he said.
Yesterday, Dr Blyden posted a message on Twitter informing her supporters that she understands that the deputy internal affairs minster was planning to silence her by arresting her. But she told her supporters not to take any notice of that threat as she has done nothing wrong other than hold the government accountable through free speech.
It seems now that in Sierra Leone, freedom to criticise the government comes at a heavy price. Other opposition politicians are now in fear they may be next to be arrested.
Supporters of the opposition APC say that they are placing the international community on high alert for a major political crackdown in the country.
And in the last hour this message was published by the Sierra Leone America Human Rights Foundation (SLAHRF) in Washington DC:
“We can officially confirm that Sierra Leone Police Officers have entered compound of Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden at Cockle Bay in Sierra Leone and are now banging on all her doors.
“We want it to be made known that she meant it when she said that she knew she was at risk under President Bio in a State of Emergency but safety of Sierra Leone is bigger than her self interest during this Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak. Hence she had made her endorsement of the proclaimed State Of Emergency.
“……….Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden two weeks ago (was) in front of the office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs when she went alongside colleague former ministers to advocate for the Human Rights of their detained former minister colleague, Alfred Palo Conteh, to be upheld whilst he was under detention. May God bless you all in Sierra Leone.
“Signed by: President & Secretary General of the Sierra Leone America Human Rights Foundation (SLAHRF), Washington DC. Friday May 1st 2020 at 9:30am Sierra Leone Time.”
So far, there has been no comment or statement by officials in the Bio led government or the Sierra Leone police about Dr Blyden’s arrest.
The Sierra Leone Telegraph will bring you more on this developing story as it unfolds.
This act must stop or else it will lead to something more harmful.
We are praying that this matter will be settled with mutual respect. For Sylvia’s sake let us avoid recriminations. God’s blessings to us all.
What crime did she commit that lead to her arrest, and what are the charges?
S. J Koroma, the video link you provided just prove that you are a fake news peddler. I watch the entire clip, no where did Dr. Blyden explicitly state that “She went that far to say that no one recognizes him (Bio) as President and that people will not yield to his commands”. On the contrary, she was simply calling for the president to bring all Sierra Leoneans onboard in the fight against convid-19. Yes, its a fact that our nation is more divided along tribal and political lines more than ever before.
There is a big mistrust for the government especially among supporters of the opposition parties, so it’s true that a certain percentage of the population will never abide by or believe whatever messages some government officials are propagating. Again, she was simply expressing her own personal opinions which she is entitled to. So you guys need to stop this character assassination. There are members of the current administration who have uttered outrageous and controversial comments in the past, no one is calling for their arrest.
Mr. Salone brother Manni, S. J Koroma is a notorious fake news peddler. He belongs to the extremists supporters of the regime who will stop at nothing to sow the seed of hatred and tribalism among Sierra Leoneans. The only thing patriotic Sierra Leoneans can do is to continue to call out people like him. So what if Dr. Blyden indeed said she does not recognize president Bio as her president, is that a crime? Is S. J Koroma living in the 21st century? Come on man, go take a sleeping pill.
I have been here a few months and I have never posted any news, but comments.
Please be informed that I am not a supporter of any regime nor do I hope to be rewarded by any Government like you. You have never seen a comment from me with tribal sentiments.
I am a professional, live in Germany (Citizen, no 2-Sim) with asset.
I have sent you the link below : https://youtu.be/cXV1tvxiUfk
S.J. Korpma said: “She went that far to say that no one recognizes him (Bio) as President and that people will not yield to his commands.” Mr editor this is a damn lie from this formuite and I will strongly ask that he provides the evidence to support this serious and hateful allegation against Sylvia Blyden.
This matter is now a police issue and may go to court. We must all be mindful of the comments we make in this highly responsible platform. I look forward to him posting the evidence soonest, otherwise I will suggest Mr editor that you stike out his lying comment and give him a reprimand. Cheers.
S. J Koroma is a notorious fake news peddler
HERE IS THE LINK :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXV1tvxiUfk&t=29s
Hier is the link
https://youtu.be/cXV1tvxiUfk
Oh mama Salone – Allah help us.
All you APC or SLPP, let me sound here that the people of Sweet Mama Salone did not vote in the SLPP to come and intensify the miserable conditions left behind by the APC. Sierra Leone must progress, and the common man should enjoy the best of the blessings of God on our sweet motherland.
Political intimidations and revenge politics can do us the common people NO GOOD whatsoever. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PLEASE COME TO THE RESCUE OF OUR MASSES, we don’t want another war in the midst of such dilapidating economy and conditions of living. GOD HELP SIERRA LEONE!!!
Folks, the fact of the matter is that, Dr. Sylvia Blyden is among those women in society that cannot be easily pushed around. Ever since her appearances into the public domain, she is infamous for her outspoken character and challenging politicians and individuals with authority in society head-on without reservation. Prior to her officially joining her current APC party, she was one of the fiercest critics of the EBK presidency, using her awareness times newspaper as an attack dog to eviscerate her opponents.
As a full pledge member within the APC, she remains a thorn within the hierarchy of the party as she openly challenges them with many of their decision making. Hate or like her, but being vocal and speaking out her mind is just part of her DNA. A few days ago, there was an article posted on this medium regarding the outspoken nature of our current first lady. Like Dr. Blyden, she appears to be one of those women who cannot be pushed around. She remain vocal in the public domain uttering her grievances on many occasions, many of which can be classified as controversial due to her position as a first lady.
The biggest hypocrisy I observed is that, the extremists supporters of the regime who are now celebrating the arrest of Dr. Blyden were overwhelmingly backing the behavior of the first lady. Many even invoke the feminist card pointing out that Salone need strong women like the first lady. So the question is, why call for the arrest of Dr. Blyden for simply behaving exactly as the first lady?
I am by no means a fan of Dr. Blyden; I stopped admiring her ever since she allowed money and power to influence her, leading to her becoming part of the EBK regime she once vocally criticized. Nevertheless, we must give her the benefit of the doubt and allow her to exercise her basic human rights with a freedom to express herself and make personal decisions. I reckon many of you calling for her arrest for being vocal and critical of the current regime also qualify to be arrested and locked up during the former regime for your critical and vocal stance towards the APC.
The sad reality is that, most of us participating in this forum reside in western democracies and claim to be educated. However, our actions and instincts can only be associated with inhabitants of a village community.
Some of you are fools! What has she done?
Mr Mansaray you are new to this forum. Kindly watch your language and desist from insulting others on this forum. Thank you.
I really wonder why the reporter didn’t say anything about what she was alleged arrested for, make it clear to the public
What is wrong with the arrest of Sylvia or is she above the law?
Really I don’t know where this country is going Presently. Thinking of the regorious behavior few days ago at Pandeba road in freetown it is unbearable. Honestly, we have gone beyond expectations,why can’t we think of development and forget about party politics in mama Salone.
Oh God Almighty Allah free us from the evil people in this country. Dilating on the ugly incident, I appeal to central government to intervene into this issue maturely. Long live every one.
Interesting site I found today, God help us all in and out of Sierra Leone.