Freetown, 21st August, 2026- The Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) has strongly refuted claims by the Sierra Leone Police that it was formally invited to a meeting regarding the protest and procession scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
In a statement issued Thursday, CAN described the police communication of August 20 as “untrue and misleading,” insisting that no official invitation was ever extended to the organisation.
“Any suggestion that CAN was formally invited to an engagement or meeting with the Police concerning this matter is therefore untrue and misleading,” the organisation declared.
CAN acknowledged that the Police may have relied on a telephone call to an individual about a possible meeting, but stressed that such a call without clear identification, written communication, or official authorisation cannot be considered a formal invitation on a matter of national importance.
The advocacy group expressed concern that the Police’s public statement could create the impression of prior consultation or agreement between the two parties. “That is not the case,” CAN emphasised.
Reaffirming its position, CAN said it remains committed to peaceful civic engagement, guided by transparency, accountability, and respect for constitutional rights. The organisation stressed that its planned protest is intended to exercise freedoms guaranteed under Sierra Leonean law, including the right to peacefully assemble and advocate on matters of public interest.
CAN further urged the Police to address any concerns about the protest “transparently and directly with the organisers rather than through statements that may create an inaccurate impression of prior consultation.”
The group has called on the Sierra Leone Police to publicly clarify the circumstances surrounding its statement and correct any information suggesting that CAN was formally engaged. It also urged the Police to exercise restraint and professionalism in public communications, ensuring that information shared is accurate, balanced, and independently verifiable.
“For the avoidance of doubt, CAN has not withdrawn its position or its commitment to peaceful civic engagement,” the statement concluded.
CAN’s Executive Director, Thomas Moore Conteh, signed off the release with a call for all stakeholders including the Police to act responsibly in the interest of peace and respect for citizens’ rights.
