By Morlai Kamara
In a disturbing turn of events, Kandeh Sesay, the Managing Editor of one of Sierra Leone’s leading newspapers, was assaulted by a group of unknown men at his construction site in Mabroon, Waterloo. This unsettling incident occurred on Sunday, September 1, 2024.
Sesay shared that he was at the site when a group of men approached him, initially acting friendly. During their conversation, one of the men asked a colleague if he recognized Sesay as a journalist. The colleague confirmed, noting that Sesay is well-known for his investigative work on drug-related issues, including his exposure of a drug cartel operating in Waterloo. Out of nowhere, the men became hostile, accusing Sesay of interfering in their business, and then they attacked him.
Sesay has strongly condemned the assault, expressing his deep concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Sierra Leone. He reported the incident to the Waterloo Police Station, but according to him, the police could only document his complaint since the attackers were unidentified, leaving them unable to take any further action.
In his follow-up on the case, Sesay voiced his frustration over the lack of progress from the police. He is now increasingly worried about his safety as he prepares for a trip to the United States to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Alie Kamara, the Headman of the community, has also expressed his concerns about the safety of residents in his area and condemned the attack on Mr. Sesay, who is a vital figure in the community’s development. He urged the police to conduct a swift investigation into the matter, concluding that his community feels unsafe and is vulnerable to attacks and violent crimes.
This attack on Sesay has raised serious alarms about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Sierra Leone, particularly those tackling sensitive issues like drug-related crimes.
Despite multiple attempts to reach the police for a statement on the incident, they declined to comment.
