Exile and Heartbreak: The Untold Story of Tejan Adama Conteh in Sierra Leone’s August 10th Tragedy

The events of August 10, 2022, remain etched in my memory as the day my life changed forever. It was a day of chaos, pain, and irreversible loss a day when I lost my beloved daughter, Adama Conteh. The tragic incident, which unfolded amidst a nationwide protest in Sierra Leone, marked the darkest chapter of my life.

As tensions mounted in the country, citizens took to the streets to voice their frustrations against a government they believed had failed them. They demanded change, calling for the ruling party to relinquish power. Like many others, I had no intention of joining the demonstration that day. I was busy at my business premises on ECOWAS Street, managing my daily operations as a businessman.

However, the air was thick with anger, hope, and determination. As the streets filled with protesters, their chants echoing through the city, I felt an irresistible pull to stand with my people. What began as a peaceful demonstration a collective cry for justice and reform soon spiraled into chaos.

The government’s response was swift and brutal. Security forces, heavily armed and determined to suppress the protest, descended on the crowds. Tear gas filled the air, bullets were fired indiscriminately, and the peaceful demonstration devolved into riots. People ran for their lives as the streets became battlegrounds.

Amidst the chaos, tragedy struck my family. My daughter, Adama, was caught in the violence. She lost her life that day her bright future extinguished in an instant. The pain of her loss is a wound that has never healed, a haunting reminder of the price we paid for daring to hope for change.

As the dust settled, the government sought to identify those they believed were responsible for the uprising. I was singled out by then Deputy Internal Affairs Minister, Lahai Lawrence Leema, commonly referred to as “Leema.” He publicly identified me as one of the youth leaders of the protest. My face was plastered on wanted lists, and my name was broadcast as a fugitive.

My involvement in the protest was not premeditated, but it was undeniable. In that moment of collective grief and rage, I had stood with my people, demanding accountability and change. This decision, however, came with dire consequences.

Knowing that remaining in Sierra Leone would lead to certain arrest or worse I was forced to make an agonizing choice. I fled the country, leaving behind everything I had built: my home, my business, and the community I loved. My heart ached not only for the loss of my daughter but also for the friends and associates who were arrested during the protests. Many of them remain imprisoned, enduring unimaginable hardships, while I carry the guilt of having escaped.

Life in exile has been a lonely and painful journey. I have had to rebuild my life from scratch in a foreign land, all while grappling with the trauma of that fateful day. The memories of August 10, 2022, haunt me the sights, the sounds, the loss of my daughter, and the cries of my people.

This chapter of my life is a testament to the sacrifices demanded by the fight for justice and freedom. It is a story of heartbreak, resilience, and survival. Despite the pain, I hold on to the hope that one day, Sierra Leone will find peace and justice for all its citizens. And though I am far from home, my heart remains with my country, my people, and the memory of my beloved Adama.