Matron Mahawa’s Death Sparks Call for Justice
By: Christian Conteh
A woman was tragically killed at the headquarters of the main opposition party in Sierra Leone as government forces unleashed bullets and tear gas to subdue opposition members, including the presidential candidate. The incident occurred amidst the release of official results for the country’s general election, which saw President Julius Maada Bio declared the winner. However, the opposition has contested the count, raising questions about the credibility of the electoral process.
Hawa Dumbuya, a 64-year-old nurse and dedicated party volunteer, lost her life when she was shot in the head at the office of the All People’s Congress (APC) in the capital city of Freetown. The incident took place after police officers encircled the building during a post-election press conference on Sunday.
Ibrahim Conteh, Dumbuya’s grief-stricken 26-year-old son, described his mother as a hero. He passionately called for justice, stating, “She died for a righteous cause. Until her last breath, she was administering care for injured people. I want the international community to find the killer or the person who ordered such a barbaric act. I want justice.”
Samura Kamara, the APC’s presidential candidate and primary contender against President Bio, took to Twitter to share his harrowing experience.
He wrote, “I have been barricaded in my APC party headquarters during my live press conference. Live bullets fired at my private office. This is an assassination attempt.”
While official figures indicate that President Bio secured 56% of the vote, with Kamara trailing behind at 41%, the election process itself has faced significant criticism both domestically and internationally. The APC released a statement on Monday rejecting the initial results, citing concerns that their agents were not granted the opportunity to verify the count.
International organizations, including the US-based election monitoring group, The Carter Center, have expressed apprehension about the transparency of the tabulation process. Prior to the announcement of the results, The Carter Center called for calm, urging all parties to maintain peace.
This election has taken place against the backdrop of a deteriorating cost-of-living crisis, exacerbating poverty and rampant unemployment. Last year, Sierra Leone witnessed violent anti-government protests resulting in the deaths of at least 27 individuals, reflecting the deep frustrations over economic hardships.
The untimely death of Matron Mahawa and the surrounding controversies in Sierra Leone’s electoral process have brought the nation to a critical juncture.
As calls for justice echo through the country, the focus now rests on addressing the concerns of violence, transparency, and the need for a fair democratic system. The future stability and progress of Sierra Leone’s democracy depend on upholding the principles of accountability and safeguarding the will of the people.
