By Josephine Sesay

The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) have issued a strong warning to members of the Kenema District Bike Riders Union against engaging in any acts capable of disturbing public peace as a leadership dispute within the union continues to deepen.

The warning was delivered by the Regional Police Commander East, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Joe Kamanda Bongay, during a mediation meeting convened to address the ongoing impasse between rival factions of the union and prevent the dispute from escalating into violence.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including District Chairman of the Bike Riders Union, Mohamed Kelleh Mansaray; Chairman of St. Charles Park, Morison Pessima; and the Regional Coordinator of the Crime Detection, Intelligence and Investigations Department (CDIID) East, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Osman Sesay.

During the meeting, Mansaray accused the leadership of St. Charles Park of refusing to recognize the district executive or participate in officially sanctioned union activities since his election to office. He said the continued lack of cooperation has undermined the operations of the union and efforts to foster unity among bike riders across Kenema District.

Responding to the allegations, Pessima maintained that members of St. Charles Park would not cooperate with the district executive until a power-sharing arrangement is agreed upon. He argued that his members neither elected nor appointed the current district leadership and therefore deserve greater representation in the administration of the union.

In his address, ACP Bongay urged both parties to pursue lawful and peaceful means of resolving their differences, stressing that any disagreement over the union’s leadership should be settled through the courts rather than through actions that could threaten public order.

He warned that the police would not tolerate any attempt to incite violence, obstruct legitimate union activities, or engage in acts likely to undermine peace and security, adding that anyone found violating the law would face the full force of the law.

The Regional Police Commander further appealed to all stakeholders to exercise restraint, embrace constructive dialogue, and prioritize the collective interests of the union over individual grievances.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 27th July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)