“During my time on and off the stage, I have never been involved in any acts of criminality, fraud or violent protest, but all of this would change as soon as the national electoral cycle and political campaign began on 23rd May 2023 for the conduct of general elections in Sierra Leone,” Mohamed Lansana Gemeh Kargbo, a – 46-year-old Sierra Leonean performing Artist recalled his ordeal before fleeing his country to the United States in fear of his life.
Kargbo narrated how during the elections campaign, there were many human right violations happening with some personnel of the Sierra Leone Police harassing and torturing the youths that are perceived as anti-government leaning, classifying any shape or form of lawful gatherings against ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) government as unlawful.
“I openly criticized the actions of the government and all its brutality against the youths. I mounted a rigorous advocacy campaign on the need for the state to respect the rights of the youths to stage peaceful gatherings underscoring the need to respect the fundamental rights of freedom of assembly and speech as benchmarks for a free, fair, credible and acceptable elections,” Kargbo said.
He recalled how in early June of 2023 some government officials started accusing him of undermining the peace and security of the state thus, consequently placing him on a watch/black list.
Kargbo used his arts as an advocacy tool. staging outdoor concerts and performances which did not go down well with some of state authorities who subsequently banned all of his upcoming performances in a bid to silence his voice which was becoming increasingly louder and resonant against all odds.
Kargbo said: “My shows were classified by state authorities as rebellious arts, so on 23rd June, 2023, a day before the general election, myself and other colleagues were apprehended and tortured by the Police who after placed us in detention, preventing us from participating in the 24th June, 2023 multitier election. I was released from detention after two days and was warned by the Police not to get involved in any advocacy performance.”
Sierra Leone has experienced political instability and insecurity ever since the government was fraudulently reelected, an election that has been detests by the Carter Center, European Union, US Embassy and other local and international Election Observers Mission in the country.
Kargbo said despite being apolitical, yet still, he suffered labelling for simply raising awareness among the youths who were hoping for a change of government. The Administration in Freetown does not care about the plight of the youths most of whom are unemployed and shackled by a high cost of living, rife hunger and growing state-sponsored atrocities by the Police, Military and pro-government operatives.
“I went into hiding in fear for my life. I had to lay low, doing no performances as the Police were still looking for me. The situation was degenerating fast and things were becoming harder for the suffering youths. On 11th September 2023, my hideout was discovered by the Police and I was brutally apprehended. This stirred the youths into staging a protest against the government demanding my release. The demonstration turned violent and fatal as live bullets were fired as the youths clashed with the Police at the station where I was held, demanding my release to seek medical help as I was beating nearly to death. I was finally granted bail due to my worsening health condition. Upon my release I was taken right away to the Connaught hospital for treatment and my colleagues had to later remove me from the hospital to a secluded location in fear of my safety and for me to be able to fully recover, “Kargbo lamented his story.
Apparently, amidst the misery Kargbo had fortunately secured a two weeks USA visa that was issued on 6th September 2023 to attend the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting, so during his heath recovery process, he decided to travel out of the country for his personal safety and his full medical recovery.
Kargbo was born on the 16th April, 1978, in Freetown Sierra Leone to mother Dora Dumbuya and Father, Mohamed Kargbo with three siblings. He studied Performing Arts at the prestigious Freetong Players International Academy, one of the leading performing arts schools in the country. Upon graduating, he joined the Schoo’s l Performing Art group, the Freetong Players International. He quickly grew through the ranks due to his high sense of creativity, commitment and dedication to the arts.
Ever since his escape from death, physical and psychological trauma, Kargbo’s treatment and whereabout has been a topic of discussion. The Media has been awash with messages of solidarity for him together with other people despite the abounding perception that he is an electoral enemy of the state for the liberal and controversial views he held on the election misconduct and violations.
“I am my peoples advocate; I want peace to reign in my country,” Kargbo once said.
Conversely, on 13 September 2023 Kargbo departed Sierra Leone for the USA leaving his wife and children in hiding in fear of imminent danger as Kargbo is in the USA. He noted that: “I am afraid of going back to my Country for fear of persecution so I am seeking refuge and protection.”
