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The Lawyers’ Society of Sierra Leone is concerned about recent events surrounding the alleged coup attempt thwarted by the security forces. We commend the swift actions taken by the security forces to prevent any attempt to destabilize the country and undermine our democratic process. We reject any efforts to unconstitutionally remove a government through military-style overthrows. As an evolving democracy, any change of government in Sierra Leone can and should only be through a credible electoral process.

While we applaud the efforts of the security forces in addressing the alleged coup attempt, we emphasise the need for transparency and accountability in all processes relating to these events. It is vital that the public is informed about the nature and extent of the security response, as such transparency will help maintain public confidence in the rule of law and our justice system.

We also call on state authorities to provide an environment of tolerance and constructive criticism in Sierra Leone. We strongly emphasise that for democracy to thrive, there should be space for dissenting views. A robust, active and unsuppressed opposition is fundamental to democratic governance. In this vein, we urge the police to fairly, effectively and expeditiously investigate all incidents of violence and threats against all members of society, particularly opposition figures and civil society actors.

We call on the government, security forces, and all citizens to work together to preserve the democratic fabric of our nation, ensuring that all actions taken are within the confines of the law and in line with the ideals of justice, fairness and respect for human rights.

The Lawyers’ Society of Sierra Leone remains unwavering in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and the promotion of democratic values.

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