9 June 2012
In the wake of disturbing violence and rioting, which led to the shooting of two unarmed youths in the eastern district of Freetown last Tuesday, a political row is said to have erupted between the senior officers of the police force and key government ministers.
It is understood that some of president Koroma’s ministers responsible for planning and managing the government’s 2012 election campaign, are terribly concerned at the breakdown of communication and confused chain of command in the police force.
Senior ruling APC politicians such as Alpha Kanu, who is the party’s key political adviser and minister of political affairs, and Leonard Balogun Koroma – the party’s national elections campaign chairman, are in particular, said to be demanding a change in policing strategy ahead of the elections taking place on 17 November.