According to the Alphonso Manley, National Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Civil Rights Coalition and Mohamed Warrisay of Democracy Sierra Leone, Edmond Abu has been inciting the Makinkiba Community against the state and Shandong Steel. 

He said Abu should not comment on a matter that is before the court, which he said is a contempt of court. 

‘Edmond and his team continue to comment on a matter in the court, which is considered as contempt of court, while equally inciting the locals in Makinkiba village to revolt against a foreign direct investment that continues to support economic growth in the country’, the release said.

Responding to the allegations against them to AYV News, Edmond Abu said his organization is not bordered by the call to have him arrested because they have not violated any law.

‘We are very focused in our campaign and no amount of threat, intimidation or blackmail will dampen our spirit’, he said, stressing that their focus is on Shandong Steel and the affected community, and they will not allow themselves to be distracted from that by anyone.

‘We are going to file contempt charges against Shandong who have violated the High Court Order in Makeni that they should not go closer to the land in question’, he threatened.

See the two press releases below, the first, jointly issued by Civil Rights Coalition, Movement for Governance Realities, Democracy Sierra Leone, Journalist for Attitudinal and Behavioural Change and Youth Leader Council on one hand, and the second by Native Consortium.

PRESS STATEMENT

21st September, 2017

”Sustaining Foreign Direct Investment, Protecting Communities”

Shandong – Legacy of A Compatriot

The attention of the below signed civil society organisations has been drawn to recent statements made by the head of Native Consortium with regards to a matter currently in the High Court between Shandong Steel and an aggrieved indigene in northern Sierra Leone, Francis Kanu.

We consider the pronouncements of Edmond Abu on this matter as not only a deliberate and desperate attempt to incite hate and chaos in that part of the country but also total disrespect to the judicial authority of the High Court.

As of to usurp the authority of the court, Edmond and his team continue to comment on a matter in the court, which is considered as contempt of court, while equally inciting the locals in Makinkiba village to revolt against a foreign direct investment that continues to support economic growth in the country.

It is extremely important to monitor and watch the actions of Edmond and we therefore call on the police and judiciary to note the following.

·         We are calling for the arrest and detention of Edmond Abu, a purported civil society activist heading the Native Consortium, who is bent on violating the laws of the country.

·         Edmond Abu and Francis Lamin Kanu are inciting the Makinkiba Community against the State and Mining Companies like Shandong which has the propensity of creating social unrest in the community and the country at large.

·         Commenting on a matter in the court is a clear contempt which Edmond Abu and Francis Lamin Kanu are guilty of.

We continue to monitor the situation and will sensitize and brief the public as the matter progress. 

Signed

Civil Rights Coalition – Sierra Leone

Movement for Governance Realities

Democracy Sierra Leone

Journalist for Attitudinal and Behavioural Change

Youth Leader Council