CAN Rejects Police Claims of Pre-Protest Consultations
- Grace Bangura
- 1 hour ago
- 1 min read
The Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) has publicly disputed claims by the Sierra Leone Police regarding formal engagements ahead of a planned civic protest scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
The dispute follows a police directive disallowing the proposed demonstration and procession in Freetown. In its public statement, the Sierra Leone Police suggested that prior discussions had taken place with the organizers. However, CAN has categorically denied these claims, asserting that the organization received no formal invitation or official communication regarding any meeting.
While CAN acknowledged that an individual may have received an informal telephone call from police officials, the group argued this does not constitute official engagement.
"A telephone call from an anonymous caller, without clear identification, official authorization, confirmation of the purpose of the meeting, or any written communication from the Sierra Leone Police, cannot reasonably be characterized as a formal invitation to CAN," the organization stated.
CAN expressed concern that the police's public account could mislead citizens into believing a collaborative dialogue occurred before the ban was issued. The advocacy group has called on the police to publicly clarify the circumstances of their statement and urged the authorities to maintain accuracy and professionalism in public communications.
Despite police warnings that participants could face legal action under the Public Order Act of 1965, CAN maintained that peaceful assembly is a fundamental constitutional right and affirmed its ongoing commitment to lawful civic advocacy.
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