By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Journalists have condemned the physical assault on two of their colleagues - Francess Bernard and Esther Marie Samura. Both journalists were reportedly beaten on Sunday at the Siaka Steven Stadium by security guards of President Julius Maada Bio.
Bernard and Samura who are both sports journalists were in the commentary booth on Sunday working on the Sierra Leone vs Liberia match at the stadium. Eyewitness accounts suggest that security officers walked into the room and ordered them to clear out as part of their routine security sweep in preparation for the arrival of the President. The ensuing argument then led to the violent incident.
Both women who work for the state broadcaster Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation are said to be responding to medical treatment.
The Sierra Leone Sports Writers Association (SWASAL) also reported that a third journalist, Alimamy Kamara, a freelance sports journalist, was also assaulted by the same guards later.
On Monday SWASAL, Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU) and their parent body - Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) all released separate statements condemning the act of the presidential guards and called for swift action by the relevant authorities.
In a statement signed by SLAJ Secretary General, Mohammed Asmieu Bah, the association condemned the act and called for a speedy investigation in to the incident.
“SLAJ is more than disheartened that armed State Security operatives can beat up defenseless women in full view of the public, at a time when the government of Sierra Leone has been telling the world about respect for women and girls,” the statement read.
It continued: “SLAJ therefore calls on the office of the President and the Sierra Leone Police to speedily investigate and institute action against those responsible for the attack on those journalists.”
SLRU President, Amadu Lamrana Bah was also quoted in a statement by the reporters’ union stating: “As a professional body we see this assault as an infringement on the fundamental human rights and freedoms of our colleagues.”
The office of the President has not responded yet to the incident.
SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasrallah, told Politico that they will follow up their statement with an official complaint.
“We hope the press release will get the attention of the office of the President and the Police and we hope to follow this up later with complaints,” Nasrallah said.
© 2019 Politico Online
