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Uganda: Journalists Decry Lenient Sentence of Police Officer

Felicia Anthonio
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This statement was originally published on mfwa.org on March 10, 2017.

The Chief Magistrates Court at Buganda Road has found the former Division Police Commander (DPC) of Old Kampala, Joram Mwesigye guilty of assaulting a WBS Television journalist, Andrew Lwanga. He has been fined (Sentenced) one million shillings (USD 282), and Five million shillings (USD 1,409) compensation to the assaulted journalist which he has to pay in 30 days. If Joram fails to make the payments within 30 days, he will serve one year in prison. The journalists present at court reacted angrily to the sentence, describing the process as a miscarriage of justice.

Court parked to full capacity, presided over by the Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu acquitted Joram on two other counts of malicious damage to property. Lwanga accused Joram of damaging his camera whereas Ssetimba of Bukedde TV accused Joram of tearing his trouser.

However the former DPC Mwesigye Joram was acquitted on these two counts of Malicious damage to property, with Court ruling that there was no proof of ownership of the said items, like receipts by the prosecution led by Patricia Chingitho.

Her Worship Kamasanyu based her conviction on the evidence of four prosecution witnesses that included three journalists, a television librarian who tendered in a video footage and a Doctor that examined Andrew Lwanga. The magistrate said that she viewed the footage tendered by the librarian of NTV and ruled that there was absolutely no reason why Lwanga was assaulted since he was properly identified in his blue WBS TV T-shirt, busy doing his work. She said that the journalists properly identified Joram as the one who was wearing a Kaki police uniform with his name on it, holding a stick that beat up Lwanga.

She noted that Lwanga was deeply hurt and his body was tampered with; he sustained injuries on his head, left ear and chest, thereby causing him actual bodily harm. The magistrate however handed Joram a light sentence saying he has been remorseful and regretful of his actions throughout the trial, on top of being suspended from active police service.

Andrew Lwanga however described the process as a mockery of justice which would not help journalists scare away potential perpetrators.

“Am dissatisfied with the outcome of the court. This judgment is a mockery of justice, and I will appeal against the sentence and the acquittal on the two counts. Joram has walked away scot-free with such a light fine, yet for me, am still suffering and undergoing treatment, I have no job, I lost my property in the process and remain deformed”. Said Lwanga

Lwanga was assaulted on 12th/January/2015 at Florina bar and guest house on Namirembe road in Kampala, as him and other journalists were covering unemployed youths who were taking a petition to IGP Kale Kayihura, and carrying placards reading, “we want jobs.”

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda described the judgment as an insult to journalists. “We were surprised when court acquitted Joram of malicious damage to property yet he is seen in the video -which the Magistrate said she watched many times, hitting the camera with a stick. The sentence handed to Joram is also not deterrent to perpetrators from assaulting journalists on duty. We believe the judgment is an insult to journalists and renders them more susceptible to attack by such errant security officers. This judgment should be appealed aganist.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala

Togo: One Person Dead, Dozens Injured at Demonstration

Felicia Anthonio
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Togo: One Person Dead, Dozens Injured at Demonstration

Attempts by gendarmes in Togo to disperse thousands of taxi and commercial motorcycle drivers who were demonstrating against fuel price increases in Lomé have left one person dead and several others injured.

The demonstration took place in the afternoon of February 28, 2017, a day after the government announced increases in the prices of petroleum products by up to ten percent. It is the second time in one month that fuel prices have been increased in Togo.  

The MFWA’s correspondent in Togo reports that the taxi and commercial motorcycle drivers who feel that the hikes will affect their business, stormed the principal streets of Lomé in their thousands, denouncing the government. They erected barricades and blocked the streets, bringing traffic to a complete stop in the capital.

Security forces who were later deployed to clear the traffic and maintain order, threw tear gas and fired warning shots to disperse those erecting barricades and burning tyres on the streets. One demonstrator died on the spot when he was hit by a bullet while several others got injured in the ensuing stampede. The dead was identified as Alabi Nadjinoudine.

In a radio interview later in the day, the Minister of Security, Yark Damehame, confirmed the death and indicated that investigations have begun into the matter.

“Unfortunately, one person died from gunshot at Agoè Zongo about 6 pm; the Public Prosecutor has begun investigating the issue to enable us know exactly what happened,” the Minister said.

The MFWA finds the incident in Togo quite disturbing and denounces the use of live bullets to disperse demonstrators. While commending the Minister of Security and the Public Prosecutor for initiating investigations into the matter, the MFWA also urges them to ensure that the truth is established and that justice is done to all parties involved.

International Women’s Day: NUSOJ Affirms the Rights of Women with the Right to Media Freedom

Felicia Anthonio
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International Women’s Day: NUSOJ Affirms the Rights of Women with the Right to Media Freedom

This statement was originally published on nusoj.org on March 8, 2017.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) joins the global community, particularly the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), on International Women’s Day to celebrate the leadership and contribution of thousands of women journalists around the world who strive for women’s equality and empowerment through their daily journalism work.

NUSOJ Secretary for Gender Equality, Fadumo Yusuf Said (Tahadar), stated that “voices of women journalists are all too often silent in the media. Numerous cases of intimidation, sexual harassment, physical attacks and even murder of women journalists have been reported and we cannot tolerate that those cases are perpetrated in total impunity”.

The national union reaffirms the importance of gender equality and equity as a key component of the right to media freedom, justice and called on media owners and public authorities to confront violence and abuses against female journalists by providing a safe working environment for women in the media.

“Women journalists must be heard and must be able to receive information on issues that affect them and the wider society like male journalists. Women journalists must be allowed and encouraged to articulate their views and tell their stores. They must be able to engage freely in their work, without fear of censorship, harassment or violence,” asserted Fadumo Tahadar.

NUSOJ calls on media houses to adopt specific policies to fight against sexual harassment and bullying and accordingly set up internal committees to ensure implementation in both letter and spirit, adopt proper and severe sanctions against perpetrators of acts of violence in the newsrooms and provide specific safety tips for women journalists on how to handle physical attacks and threats when working in the field.

AFEX Urges Women Journalists to Assert Themselves despite Challenges

Felicia Anthonio
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AFEX Urges Women Journalists to Assert Themselves despite Challenges

March 8 each year is celebrated as International Women’s Day (IWD). The day is set aside to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across the globe as well as highlight the challenges they face in society.  The theme for this year’s celebration is “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.”

To mark this year’s IWD, the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) brings you the experiences of three female journalists working in Somalia, Uganda and Liberia that highlight the daily challenges and dangers women journalists encounter in carrying out their duties in their respective countries.

Somalia has been described as one of the most dangerous places for journalism practice. Given the security situation in the country, women are particularly vulnerable. In 2015, a female journalist who worked with Radio Mogadishu was killed in a car explosion. Six months later, another female journalist working with the same station was killed by unknown armed men.

 Nimo Hassan Abdi, Chairperson of Somali Women Journalists Club shares with AFEX some of the challenges and threats she faces as a woman journalist in Somalia.

“I feel very frightened as a female journalist, I can’t stay in the same house for more than a week because I am afraid other people will identify me as a journalist and attack me,” lamented Nimo.

In addition, Nimo mentioned difficulty in getting a job as a female journalist, the tendency to be discouraged by prejudice, cultural and religious beliefs to venture into journalism, low salary as compared to men and inability to report on issues of abuses against women due to fear and intimidation as major daily challenges of Somali female journalists.

Another female political and investigative reporter working with NBS Television in Uganda, Bahati Remmy indicated that most women journalists lacked the courage and enthusiasm to cover important events such as riots or protests which are mostly perceived to be male domains. Bahati was one of the journalists arrested in 2016 by Ugandan police for covering events at the residence of opposition leader, Kizza Besigye after the country’s the elections.

Bahati added that the traditional role of women as caregivers also hinders their active engagement in the media profession. She urged more women to enroll in journalism courses and be trained to become media professionals.

The Secretary General of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia, Antoinette Yah Sendolo, told AFEX that male attitude towards women journalists tend to underrate the capabilities of their female counterparts in Liberia.

“It is yet to be understood by most people including news makers, managers and even male journalists that being a female journalist doesn’t in any way makes you less a journalist,” she said.

 She further indicated that women in the media are sexually harassed both verbally and physically by newsmakers nearly on a daily basis. “Female journalists in Liberia are also placed in lower positions in newsrooms and are paid lesser than their male counterpart, not necessarily because they are not qualified or competent but because of their gender and how society perceives them,” Antoinette added.

As the world marks this day, AFEX wishes to commend all women journalists,  media professionals and activists who have remained steadfast in their duty of informing and educating the public.

AFEX calls on governments and stakeholders across the continent to work together to ensure that women journalists and media professionals are free to carry out their work in a safe environment in their respective countries.

We urge authorities, stakeholders, media owners, media professionals, activists and citizens in Africa to join forces to promote freedom of expression rights of women as well as support women to venture into journalism.

Women as drivers of change

Felicia Anthonio
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Women as drivers of change

On International Women’s Day 2017, we’re kicking off a series of brief reflections by women from around the world on gender and human rights. Our first is a post from Ghana, written by Felicia Fauzia Anthonio. Felicia works with IFEX member the Media Foundation for West Africa. She coordinates the activities of the African Freedom of Expression Exchange, a network of 12 prominent freedom of expression organisations. Make sure to like IFEX on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to read more reflections in the coming months.

International Women’s Day (IWD) highlights women’s remarkable achievements and contributions to society. Most importantly, the day seeks to underline challenges women face worldwide and how to tackle these challenges. Women at all levels of society continue to face systematic discrimination, and Ghanaian women are no exception.

This year’s IWD, themed “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030,” is a wakeup call to Ghanaian women to take up roles and responsibilities traditionally reserved for men. It is about time the Ghanaian woman is empowered to actively engage and be equally represented in national affairs. Women outnumber men in Ghana, yet when it comes to decision-making, they are woefully underrepresented in both the private and public sectors. For instance, out of 275 parliamentarians elected for the 2017-2020 term, only 35 (12.7%) are women.

Society should stop questioning the ability of women and focus on supporting them to rise to the top. On this important day, I challenge the Ghanaian woman to step out of her comfort zone and take up roles that are widely perceived to be male domains.

The achievements of Georgina Wood – first female Chief Justice; Joyce Aryee – first woman to head an African Chamber of Mines; Joyce Bamford-Addo – first female Speaker of Parliament; Betty Mould Iddrisu – first female Attorney General; Charlotte Osei – first female Electoral Commissioner, among others, should be an inspiration to all women and girls.

I am confident that Ghanaian women, if given the opportunity and resources, have the strength, capacity, determination and zeal to be drivers of change in this country.

The Gambia: Reporter Assaulted for Asking Harmless Question

Felicia Anthonio
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A reporter of the Forayaa newspaper, Kebba Jeffang, has been assaulted by supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) and National Reconciliation Party (NRP) for asking a legitimate question about inter-party unity at a press conference organised by leaders the three parties in Banjul on March 4, 2017.

The UDP, GMC and NRP are three of the six parties that united in a coalition and won power to end the 22 year reign of Yahya Jammeh former president of The Gambia in the December 2016 elections.

The press conference was organised by leaders of the three parties to discuss preparations towards upcoming parliamentary elections in the country and other issues about the unity of the coalition. The press conference was addressed by Ousainou Darboe, Hamat Bah and Mai Ahmad Fatty, the leaders of the UDP, GMC and NRP respectively.

During question time, Jeffang asked the leaders the rationale behind their decision to field separate candidates for upcoming parliamentary elections after winning the presidential election as a united block.

This harmless question was met with an angry chorus of “Go and ask Halifa Sallah” from the party supporters. Halifa is the editorial advisor of the Foroyaa newspaper and leader of the People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), one of the six parties that form the ruling coalition. Sallah is reported to have had recent disagreements with the UDP, GMC and NRP parties on certain issues.

“My introduction as a reporter for Foroyaa Newspaper invited harassment and interruption from party supporters,” Jeffang later lamented in a press interview.

Jeffang said that at the end of the event, while the party leaders were still in the conference room, a young man approached him and verbally abused him. He said the act attracted some more people who surrounded him.

“They hit me and in the process tore up my shirt. I suffered internal shoulder pains afterwards,” Jeffang bemoaned.

Meanwhile, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) has condemned the attack on the journalist and called on the authorities to safeguard freedom of expression in The Gambia.

“The attack on Mr Jeffang is both regrettable and unfortunate and should not have happened. The attack perpetrated by parties who form part of the government that promised a new dawn of freedom for the press corps in the Gambia is a violation of constitutional provisions that guarantee the freedom and independence of the media, and failure to adequately address it (the attack) will be tantamount to impunity,” a statement signed by GPU Secretary General, Saikou Jammeh on March 7, 2017 said.

The MFWA joins our national partner in The Gambia, the GPU, in condemning the assault on Jeffang, especially in the presence of party leaders who did not deem it fit to intervene. This is a big blow to the hopes of Gambians and freedom of expression advocates who expect the new leaders to safeguard press freedom. We call on the leadership of the UDP, GMC and NRP to find the culprits and ensure they are punished.

NUSOJ Condemns Fresh Attacks on Media in Puntland, Calls for Respect for Journalists’ Freedom

Felicia Anthonio
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This statement was originally published on nusoj.org on March 6, 2017.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has today condemned fresh attacks on media freedom in Puntland, in north-eastern regions of Somalia, calling on Puntland authorities to end the attacks on media and respect journalists’ freedom who are simply doing their journalism job.

In a letter from the Puntland Ministry of Information, authorities barred Universal TV from 5th March 2017 to operate in regions controlled by Puntland authorities. The letter signed by Vice Minister of Information Mr Nur Ahmed Yusuf, accused Universal TV of “creating conflict between people and the government (Puntland), destabilising security of Puntland, familiarised to spreading false news and broadcasted news in contradiction of journalism ethics”. Puntland did not specify the period that the private television network is barred to operate in its regions.

Recently Puntland security officials warned against journalists working for independent media to “inflate” news about the mutiny by some members of Puntland armed forces who, because of lack of salary payment, locked down headquarters of Puntland parliament and temporary closed Garowe airport which reportedly led Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas to land at Bossasso airport instead of Garowe, the capital of Puntland. One senior security official told group of journalists in Bossasso that they “will face harsh consequences should they inflate and misreport these events.”

“We are seriously concerned by these fresh attacks on media rights. Puntland must rescind the order barring Universal TV to operate in Puntland regions because the barring has no legal basis and the accusations are preposterous,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

NUSOJ demanded Puntland officials, especially security officials, to cease from making intimidations against journalists and they must allow journalists to do their work freely without any retaliation from authorities.

 

Uganda: Court Sets Judgment Date for Journalists’ Assault Case

Felicia Anthonio
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This statement was originally published on hrnjuganda.org on March 3, 2017.

Five ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party youths continued to defend themselves before the Entebbe based Grade One Magistrate Mulonda Mastula. Two of the accused denied beating journalists on the day of the special interest group election, which they claim was peaceful and ended smoothly at Entebbe, in Wakiso district.

“The voting went very well. I did not see anyone being beaten that day. I don’t know why the complainants said that I beat them.” Said Mubiru Arnold, one of the accused persons.

During cross examination, Mubiru told Court that he was forced to record his statement at the police. This was after him giving testimony before Court contrary to his earlier testimony recorded at police.

Another accused person, Wasswa Hassan also denied beating any journalists on the said day. He informed Court that he first saw the journalists at Court. The accused persons closed their defence after presenting five witnesses. Court adjourned the case to 29th March, 2017 for judgment.

Prosecution alleges that on 4th March, 2016 at Entebbe Municipal Council offices, Kigongo Ssebalamu, Ssempijja Godfrey both of Vision Group and Kakooza George William of the Central Broad Casting Services (CBS) radio were assaulted by Lule Wamala Richard and four others while covering the Entebbe Local Council Elections, occasioning them bodily injuries and their cameras destroyed in the process.

“We are very grateful to the Court for having handled the case expeditiously. We are hopeful that justice will be delivered to the victim journalists and the media at large.” said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.

Ex-NIA Officials Charged for Murder of Former Opposition Politician

Felicia Anthonio
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This statement was originally published on mfwa.org on March 3, 2017.

The former Director General of the feared National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Yankuba Badjie, and seven other officials have been arraigned before the Banjul Magistrate Court and charged with conspiracy and murder.

The seven other NIA officials accused are Louis Gomez, and Saikou Omar Jeng, former deputy director and former director of operations respectively, Haruna Susso, Yusupha Jammeh, Tamba Masireh, Lamin Darboe and Baboucarr Sallah. Lamin Lang Sanyang, the medical officer in whose name a death certificate was issued for  Solo Sandeng, was also arrested.

Solo Sandeng

Badjie and the seven other officials were on February 23, 2017, charged with the murder of Solo Sandeng, member of the United Democratic Party who was tortured to death while in NIA custody on April 15, 2016. The late Sandeng was arrested on April 14, 2016 while leading a peaceful demonstration to demand electoral reforms. He was taken to the NIA where he was reportedly tortured to death and buried in an unknown location.

Badjie was dismissed as the head of the NIA on February 1, 2017 and arrested on February 20, 2017, together with his former colleagues. In the Executive Order dismissing Badjie, President Adama Barrow also renamed the organisation as the State Intelligence Services, (SIS).

“This new service shall only deal with intelligence gathering and analysis to protect The Gambia from external and internal threats,” President Barrow said. “It shall no longer arrest, detain or undertake any activities that are unconstitutional, especially with regards to civil rights,” the President emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Presiding Magistrate in the trial of the suspects, Isatou Janneh-Njie, has referred the matter to the High Court and ordered that the accused persons be remanded. The decision was in response to Police prosecutor, Alpha Badgie’s argument that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to try a case of murder, which is a capital offence.

The MFWA welcomes the legal processes initiated to bring justice to Mr.Sandeng and his family by bringing the perpetrators to book. It is a progressive step towards the fight against impunity in The Gambia and we hope that it will serve as the first step towards redressing the many cases of violations perpetrated under the Yahya Jammeh regime. The organisation also commends President Adama Barrow for his redefinition of the mandate of the NIA, which will ensure that civil rights are protected.

Ghana: Top TV Station Sacks Dozens of Staff for Protests Over Welfare

Felicia Anthonio
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On February 28, 2017, one of the leading television channels in Ghana, TV3, sacked over 30 of its staff who had protested over welfare issues.

A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Jimi Matthews, dated February 28, 2017, said the affected staff from various departments embarked on an industrial action without following due procedure.

“The actions included, but was not limited to, writing threatening statements on a staircase threatening dire action, hoisting of red flags on the transmission mast, and other places inside the premises, and subsequently wearing red attire and armbands, signifying support for the disruption of the work process, serving notice of their intentions to management and without providing management with an opportunity to engage with the aggrieved personnel,”  the statement said

The management maintained that these actions, which spanned about a week, constituted a “breach of the ethics and legal requirements” regarding industrial strikes.

Incidentally, the dismissals came on the same day a group of media experts  highlighted low remuneration and generally poor conditions of service as a major challenge to media development in Ghana.

The MFWA is therefore shocked by the development at TV3 and calls on the Management of the television station to take a second look at their decision which has the potential to deter staff from expressing themselves and making legitimate demands for improvements in their working conditions.

The MFWA is following the issue with keen interest and is committed to standing by the affected staff to ensure that the matter is resolved amicably and that their rights are respected.  

Nigeria Update: Army Seeks Reconciliation with Abused Newspaper

Felicia Anthonio
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The Media Foundation for West Africa has learnt with satisfaction that the spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Sani Usman, has paid a visit to the head office of Premium Times newspaper in Abuja to interact with editors of the newspaper in a bid to ease tension between the Army and the media organisation.

The visit on February 27, 2017 comes two months after the police raided the offices of the Premium Times newspaper and arrested the publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi and a reporter, Evelyn Okakwu. The arrests followed the newspaper’s rejection of the Army’s demand for a retraction of a story on its operations and on the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.

Blaming “communication gaps” for the recent misunderstanding between the Army and the newspaper, Mr. Usman said his visit was intended to turn a new leaf in the relationship and communication management between the newspaper and the military authorities.

“Premium Times is a credible medium and whatever you publish will be taken as gospel truth by many,” Mr. Usman said. The army officer then pleaded with the editors to exercise more discretion when reporting sensitive operational challenges of the army.

In response, Musikilu Mojeed, the Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times newspaper, said his organisation greatly appreciates the efforts of the Nigerian Army in fighting all threats to the peace and stability of Nigeria amidst unprecedented challenges. He maintained however, that the newspaper remains committed to its responsibility of holding officials accountable, and asked for mutual understanding.

“Once we understand each other’s constitutional roles, and responsibilities to society, there will be little or no conflict,” Mr. Mojeed said.

“Engagement and access are highly essential to the work we both do, but more importantly to the development and deepening of our democracy which the two institutions have a constitutional mandate to promote,” said Dapo Olorunyomi, the publisher of the newspaper.

The MFWA welcomes this healthy development and encourages such interactions between the media and security agencies in Nigeria and the sub-region in general. It is reassuring that the military has responded positively to our call and that of our national partner in Nigeria, International Press Centre for dialogue between the media the security agencies in Nigeria to build goodwill between the two sides.

 

AFEX Denounces Harassment of Anti-Corruption Activist by Sierra Leonean Authorities

Felicia Anthonio
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AFEX Denounces Harassment of Anti-Corruption Activist by Sierra Leonean Authorities

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) denounces the harassment of Abdul Fatoma, the Chief Executive Officer of the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI), a civil society organisation by authorities in Sierra Leone.

Over the past two months, Mr. Abdul Fatoma, who is also an anti-corruption activist, has been harassed by Sierra Leone’s Parliament and the police following his remarks about ongoing corruption allegations within the country’s legislative body.

On January 31, 2017, police officers without warrant arrested Mr. Fatoma at the premises of Radio Democracy, in Sierra Leone where he had just ended a radio discussion on a corruption scandal in the country. The police forcibly took him to the Sierra Leonean Parliament where he was questioned by members of Parliament. Mr. Fatoma was subsequently handed over to the office of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for further interrogation where he was detained overnight. Mr. Fatoma was released on February 1, 2017 but his passport was confiscated by the police. He was summoned to appear before Parliament on February 6, 2016.

Mr. Fatoma was asked to come back to Parliament with evidence to support claims he made in a letter addressed to the Majority Leader in July last year concerning the corruption scandal. The meeting was however cancelled and postponed to February 16 when Mr. Fatoma finally submitted the requested documents to the clerk and director of communications of the Sierra Leonean Parliament.

According to a press release published by CHRDI on February 18, 2017, Mr. Fatoma has been forbidden by both the police and the house of parliament from leaving the country. No formal charges have been brought against Mr. Fatoma by the police. The CHRDI also reported that the police, under the instructions of the Majority leader of Parliament, Honourable Ibrahim Bundu, have refused to return Mr. Fatoma’s passport to him.

Background of the case

Since July 2016, Mr. Abdul Fatoma under the CHRDI’s Accountability Campaign programme has challenged the accountability of an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) set up by government to investigate alleged corrupt acts within the country’s Parliament. Over the years, Sierra Leone’s parliament has been accused of diverting funds allocated for implementation of projects into their personal bank accounts. Mr. Fatoma has been very instrumental in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.

Denying Mr. Fatoma his right to freedom of movement is an outright violation of his rights as guaranteed in Sierra Leone’s constitution. Article 18 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone states that “No person shall be deprived of his freedom of movement, and for the purpose of this section the said freedom means the right to move freely throughout Sierra Leone, the right to reside in any part of Sierra Leone, the right to enter or leave Sierra Leone, and immunity from expulsion from Sierra Leone.” The police therefore have no right confiscating Mr. Fatoma’s passport.

AFEX condemns the harassment of Mr Abdul Fatoma by the authorities in Sierra Leone. We call on Honourable Bundu to order the police to return Mr. Fatoma’s passport to him to enable him travel out of Sierra Leone whenever he wishes.

Parliament is mandated by the Constitution of Sierra Leone to “regard themselves as representatives of the people and desist from any conduct by which they seek to enrich themselves.” Parliament as an institution must therefore be seen fighting corruption rather than fighting anti-corruption activists. The police on the other hand is obliged to protect the civil liberties of people, not harass them.

AFEX therefore urges the authorities to respect freedom of expression and freedom of movement rights in Sierra Leone.

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