Concerns Raised Over Pattern of Institutional Interference in SLBA Elections

Concerns Raised Over Pattern of Institutional Interference in SLBA Elections

Social commentator Hon. Davies Cole has issued a stark warning regarding the recurring disruption of the Sierra Leone Bar Association’s (SLBA) governance, drawing direct parallels between the recent chaos at the Bintumani Conference Centre and the controversial 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Kenema.

In a statement following the interruption of the association’s most recent AGM, Cole suggested that these events represent a systemic pattern of external power interference. 

The latest disruption at Bintumani, which saw members restricted from accessing their meeting venue, has reignited debates over the independence of the legal profession’s governing body.

He recalled an incident two years ago when a "Green truck" reportedly obstructed the passage to the Kenema AGM, an event marred by disputes over electoral integrity. Cole utilized a metaphor of “trucks” to characterize the obstacles placed in the path of institutional transparency. 

"Two years later, today. Another truck blocks the road to the venue," Cole remarked, noting the appearance of "blue trucks" in the latest incident.

He emphasized that the use of political or security apparatuses to influence private institutional matters undermines public confidence. He questioned the appropriateness of government involvement in the internal affairs of a professional association, warning of the long-term consequences for those currently in power, Cole stated.

He expressed a sense of solidarity with the legal professionals affected by these disruptions, urging both the "victims of Kenema" and the "victims of Bintumani" to reflect on their shared experiences of institutional fragility.

The SLBA AGM at the Bintumani Conference Centre was intended to facilitate scheduled elections and association business. However, the proceedings were halted after access was restricted due to cited security concerns, a move that Cole described as the Bar "grinding to a fast halt."

As of press time, the leadership of the Bar Association has not released an official rebuttal to Cole’s allegations of interference, and the future of the disrupted electoral process remains uncertain.