Authorities in Sierra Leone should investigate recent attacks against journalist Yusifu Sesay of the Sierra Update newspaper, who is seriously under threat by supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), accusing him of writing negative things about their party and destroying the image of their party and government on social media. His whereabouts are still unknown because of the continuous threats to his life and family.
His unfortunate situation started on Sunday, June 25, 2023, when a group of men slapped and hit Yusifu Sesay, a reporter with the privately owned Sierra Update newspaper, during an All Peoples Congress (APC) press conference held at their party office at Brookfields. Yusifu Sesay attended the press conference with other journalists. As the press conference proceeded, men in military fatigue, believed to be presidential body guards, emerged and began firing tear gas canisters and live bullets, causing panic and chaos. APC party supporters were celebrating outside the party office building during that time. Yusifu Sesay managed to escape after he was mercilessly beaten by military personnel. He was rescued by some youths and escaped.
The other attack took place at Yusifu’s home at No. 55 Bismark Johnson Street, Brookfield, Freetown, where he sustained serious injuries.
The week before the August 10, 2022, protest in the country, several SLPP supporters harassed and threatened Yusifu Sesay, accusing him of passing information on social media about the plan. August 8-10 Protests across the country
The attackers slapped Yusifu Sesay, poured alcohol over his head, and threatened to kill him.
Yusifu Sesay said the SLPP youths attacked his residence after the incident at the APC office. The following week, another youth attacked his residence. They told his family that they would see their son arrested at any time and charged in court.
The other day, some SLPP men beat Yusifu Sesay and then turned him over to police custody, where he was held for 17 hours on allegations of passing information on social media about a planned demonstration, which surprised him as a journalist.
A police officer told Yusifu Sesay that a top senior SLPP member had ordered his detention, the journalist said. Yusifu said he was released on bail with the requirement to return to the police station on June 29, 2023.
He said he ultimately did not return to the police station on that date because a representative from his media house said he did not have to.
He said he had the opportunity to travel out of the country when he heard that a bench warrant for his arrest had been issued, but he didn’t know the motive of the bench warrant.
The SLPP youths in his area have threatened that the bench warrant is not enough, as they are hunting for his life wherever they see him. His family has abandoned their home for an unknown destination. They are calling on him not to return home for his life, and his safety is not guaranteed.
