The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have vehemently condemned recent attacks and death threats on journalists allegedly carried out by supporters of the All People’s Congress (APC) party. “…Especially when similar circumstances has lead to the recent murder of Ghanaian investigative journalist, Ahmed Husein Suale, whose death is being associated with a politician” the SLAJ release stated. “On Wednesday, 16 January 2019, journalists from the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire covering the interrogation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, were physically assaulted and equipment seized by allegedly APC supporters in Makeni.” “Also, BBC reporter Umaru Fofana, received anonymous death threats via WhatsApp audio allegedly from an APC supporter.” The SLAJ press release also recalled that in March last year, during the national run-off elections, several journalists were also physically assaulted by thugs believed to be acting on the orders of APC officials, subsequently leading to the death of one of the journalists, Ibrahim Samura, of the New Age newspaper. “SLAJ is gravely concerned about this ugly trend and the impunity that seems to be going with it,” the release states. “This nonsense must stop. The APC cannot continue to treat journalists as enemies and physically attack them whenever they have an issue. The Police should not wait for another journalist to die before they take the necessary action. This impunity must end,” said SLAJ President Kelvin Lewis. “We therefore put the leadership of the APC party on notice, that we will hold them responsible for any harm done to ANY journalist and more importantly Umaru Fofana whose life is being threatened. The leadership of the APC must now rein in its members and supporters and stop them from venting out their frustrations on harmless journalists who are busy doing their work.” SLAJ calls on the Inspector General of Police, Richard Moigbe, to bring to book the APC officials and supporters who allegedly assaulted Ibrahim Samura, leading to his unfortunate death, and to speedily investigate the assault on AYV reporters and the source of WhatsApp voice message death threat against Umaru Fofana. SLAJ’s press release advised politicians from the SLPP, and more so the APC, to work together towards de-escalating the political tension presently in the country forthwith. SLAJ equally calls on the Government to continue to honour its promise, and stop arresting and detaining journalists at the CID, but rather send them to the Independent Media Commission for action. The Native Consortium and Research Centre (NCRC) also views with dismay the recent upsurge in violence and threats against journalists in the line of performing their duties and wants to urge all the purported perpetrators to desist immediately. NCRC also call on the government and the Sierra Leone Police to act swiftly and decisively to bring those who are identified as being responsible for these distasteful deeds, to book. “We are also appealing to the leadership of all Political Parties to respect freedom of the press as a fundamental element in the protection of democracy and Human rights,” the NCRC release states. The Society for Democratic Initiatives has also condemned the persistent attack and threat on the lives of Journalists and calls on authorities concerned to take appropriate actions against the perpetrators “We are reminding the leadership of all Political parties that freedom of the press is fundamental in the protection of democracy and human rights,” SDI release states. AVY sent a letter of complaint addressed to the Secretary General of the APC, Foday Osman Yansanneh. APC has responded with a press release signed by the party National Publicity Secretary, Cornelius Deveaux stating, “the membership of the Party and the general public is hereby informed that the allegations are baseless and unfounded and that the APC is yet to receive an official complaint(s) regarding the same from any aggrieved person(s) or institution(s).” APC’s press release continued, “the Party therefore views, with serious concern, the allegations as an orchestrated conspiracy to bring the hard earned reputation of the APC into disrepute, especially at the time when a delegation from ECOWAS is in the country to mediate the rising political tension occasioned by the way and manner in which the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government is abusing power and authority.” In this regard, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC states that the press releases from SLAJ and its Northern Bureau are far-fetched from speaking in good faith in the interest, safety and wellbeing of journalists. “We therefore hereby engender AYV’s patience against its hasty threat to shut down the curtain on activities of the Party and news blackout on 68 Members of Parliament, 10 local councils, well-over 200 elected local councilors of the largest opposition in the country. It would be injurious to democracy and good governance and besides, we stand to be challenged that the APC is certainly the biggest newsmakers in Sierra Leone.” “Nonetheless, should the Party receive any official complaint from any aggrieved person or institution the matter will be seriously looked into and where necessary defaulters shall be held accountable.” “It is however advisable for victims of the purported misfortunes and their allies to restrain themselves from hasty generalizations, unfounded allegations against the APC as clearly demonstrated in SLAJ’s separate press releases and AVY’s threat of news blackout on the APC,” the release states.
OG/19/1/19
Monday January 21, 2019.