John Kelly Marah
In a fiery declaration during the Government’s Weekly Press Briefing on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd. AIG Morie Lengor Esq., painted a grim picture of a country slipping further into disorder — and promised a crackdown. But critics say his prescription may raise more questions than answers.
Speaking at the Miatta Conference Centre, Minister Lengor emphasized that President Julius Maada Bio had tasked him with restoring “discipline” as a national priority. “Lawlessness had become normalized,” he said. “But under this administration, that must change.”
His comments followed a series of task force operations targeting the Central Business District, which the Minister described as plagued by reckless motorcycle riders (okada), street traders, and deteriorating public infrastructure. He said efforts so far have brought “greater order” but acknowledged that enforcement would be gradual.
The Minister’s task force — led by an Assistant Inspector General of Police and backed by city and road authorities — has focused mainly on traffic and pedestrian safety. Yet questions linger about whether this approach tackles the root causes of the problem or merely polices its symptoms.
Lengor cited incidents such as an expatriate injured by an okada and street vendors allegedly misusing Council-issued licenses to block walkways. But his remarks skirted deeper concerns: what alternatives exist for jobless youths who depend on informal trading or motorbike transport to survive?
Critics argue that while lawlessness is a problem, it is often a product of systemic neglect, limited urban planning, and lack of economic opportunity. “It’s one thing to remove people from the streets,” noted one civil society observer, “but what are we doing to give them better options?”
The Minister also criticized behaviors ranging from noise pollution to illegal construction and improper waste disposal — issues many say reflect poor governance and under-resourced municipal systems. He further blamed cultural double standards, stating that Sierra Leoneans behave better abroad but abandon those values at home.
While Lengor praised the task force for recent gains, including support from SLBC and outreach to the public via toll-free emergency number 900, some citizens question whether punitive enforcement alone can fix a long-standing governance failure.
As the crackdown continues, the public remains divided: is this the beginning of a disciplined and orderly Sierra Leone — or a top-down attempt to mask structural decay with aggressive policing?
What is clear is that lawlessness, in Minister Lengor’s words, “can no longer be business as usual.” But for many Sierra Leoneans navigating the chaos of daily survival, the bigger issue may not be just enforcement — but equity, accountability, and sustainable alternatives.
