Despite protests, Sierra Leone is preparing for its presidential elections

This weekend, amid demonstrations against the country’s spiraling living expenses, high unemployment rate, and inflation, Sierra Leoneans will go to the polls to choose their president, members of parliament, and local councilors. In particular, All People’s Congress (APC) supporters have demonstrated in the streets of Freetown, the nation’s capital, against the severe economic circumstances.

Mustapha Dumbuya, a journalist and independent analyst, stated in an interview with RT that residents of the violently prone West African nation live in constant fear of violence erupting during the June 24 elections.

Dumbuya recalled a bloody protest that took place in Freetown and other northern cities in August of last year, during which protestors and police engaged in combat and more than 20 people were killed.

Everyone is pretty concerned about it, he continued, adding that “no one anticipated the response of the security sector to those protests that ultimately led to a loss of life and property and created a lot of tension in the country.”

According to the UN, 70,000 people died in Sierra Leone’s terrible civil war, which ended two decades ago, but “there are still worries” that the nation’s peace is precarious and that hostilities could flare up again, Dumbuya said.

The next presidential election will mark the sixth since the end of the civil war in 2002. There are thirteen contenders, including the incumbent Julius Maada Bio, running for president, and 3.4 million eligible voters are anticipated to cast ballots.