Cross section of participants from Bombail, Port Loko, Kono, Falaba and Tonkolili districts with their certificates of participation

With support from UK Aid SLAJ concludes regional training on elections conflict sensitive reporting, countering fake news

SLAJ Secretariat

As part of its capacitation exercise and also ensuring that Journalists are fully equipped for reportage on elections-related activities, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) successfully completed the training of media practitioners in eight districts across Sierra Leone on Elections Sensitive Reporting and Countering Disinformation and Fake News.

The project is funded by UK Aid (now known as the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office) through a coalition of three including the Talking Drum Studio, Independent Radio Network (IRN) and SLAJ. SLAJ is responsible for the training of journalists in eight districts: Bombali, Falaba, Tonkolili, Kono, Kenema, Moyamba, Pork Loko and Western Rural.

In Makeni, Bombali District, at the Makeni District Council, participants from Bombali, Tonkolili, Falaba, Kono and Port Loko converged and were trained on Election Sensitive Reporting and Countering Fake News respectively. The trainings were facilitated by Steven Douglas and Thomas Dixon.

Thomas Dixon explaining about fake news and disinformation to participants in Makeni District Council

Dr Isaac Massaquoi and Commissioner James Tamba Lebbie conducted the training for participants from Kenema, Pujehun and Western Rural districts who were assembled at the Sahara Conference Hall in Bo district.

Speaking about the project, the SLAJ National Secretary General, Alhaji Manika Kamara, informed the participants that the aim of the training is to see how best journalists will be able to identify and counter fake news, misinformation and disinformation during the electioneering period through the various media outlets and also to remind media practitioners about the type of news they put out to prevent chaos and instability.

Cross section of Participants from Kenema, Western Rural and Pujehun districts displaying their certificates of participation

He urged the participants to be true professionals in carrying out their duties as journalists in their various communities, explaining that the public rely on them for factual, credible and timely news as most radio listeners often accept what they hear on radio, television or read in newspapers as gospel truth.

“SLAJ is doing its best to train as many journalists as possible based on available resources to ensure the public has increased access to accurate and factual news and analysis on the elections to help them make informed decisions. At the same time, this is to capacitate journalists to be on top of situation when presenting their programs,” he said,

adding that the training is among several other trainings being undertaken by SLAJ across the country relating to professionalism and inclusive democracy.

 

 

Mamoud Marrah, SLAJ Northern Regional Chairman, expressed appreciation to the funding partners for facilitating the training exercise which they have been yearning for especially on countering fake news and disinformation. He stated that the knowledge gained during the training exercise will be cascaded to their colleagues who were not fortunate to be part of the training.

Dr Isaac Massaquoi engaging participants on Election Sensitive reporting in Bo
Dr Isaac Massaquoi engaging participants on Election Sensitive reporting in Bo

 

The SLAJ Southern Region Chairman, Abubakarr Mustapha, called on SLAJ and partners to pay more attention to his region, which according to him is politically sensitive, explaining that participants were drawn from the various radio stations within the region. He assured that with such training journalists will be better placed to identify fake news and misinformation and also report from an informed point of view on election-related issues without bias.

IMG-20230622-WA1494

SLAJ and ECSL Hold Training on Proportional Representation for Journalists Nationwide

By: SLAJ Secretariat

 Journalists from various media outlets across the country have benefited from a comprehensive training session on the Proportional Representation (PR) the electoral system the Elections Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) is using for the June 24 elections.

The events, a collaborative effort between the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the ECSL, aims to familiarise journalists with the PR system, which is relatively new to many young people in the country.

The training, which was held simultaneously in the cities of Bo, Kenema, and Makeni, provided journalists with a valuable opportunity to delve deeper into the intricacies of the PR system and have their questions answered.

This training comes at a crucial time as the PR system will be utilized in the upcoming elections, to ensure fair representation.

In Freetown, covering Western Urban and Rural, the training was held at the Civil Service Training College on Tower Hill. One of the facilitators Victor Musa, the Assistant Director for Election Education at the ECSL, emphasised that the PR system is not complex or entirely new.

He acknowledged that Sierra Leone predominantly used the first-past-the-post system in the past but highlighted that certain elections will now adopt the PR system. Musa clarified that out of the four upcoming elections, only the presidential and mayoral elections will follow the first-past-the-post system exclusively, while the parliamentary and local council elections will be conducted using the PR system.

Providing further insight into the election processes, Musa explained that the presidential election will employ a two-round system. In the first round, a candidate must secure at least 55% of the votes to win outright. If this threshold is not met, the top two candidates proceed to a runoff, where the first-past-the-post system will be utilized.

Momoh Kanneh, the Director for Election Education at the ECSL, also addressed the journalists and emphasised the significance of the upcoming elections. Kanneh explained the distribution of seats under the new PR system, revealing that there will be 135 parliamentary seats, 22 positions for chairpersons of district councils, mayors of cities and municipal councils, and 493 councillor positions for local councils.

Kanneh shed light on the calculations behind the seat allocation, stating that the decision was based on a compromise between the controversial 2015/2016 census and the 2021 mid-term census. With 132 constituencies identified in the former census and 137 constituencies in the latter census, the ECSL arrived at an average of 134.5, which was rounded up to 135 due to the impossibility of having a half seat.

The threshold for winning a parliamentary seat was calculated to be 11.9%, while the threshold for winning a councillor seat stood at 4.5%. These figures were derived through formulas considering the number of electoral districts and seats in Parliament, as well as the number of local councils and wards.

In order to nominate candidates for the elections, political parties were required to present two lists indicating their first and second choices. The candidates were then organised in numerical order, and seats will be allocated accordingly in each district.

Meanwhile, in Kenema, SLAJ Financial Secretary Mohamed Konneh highlighted the importance of well-informed journalists who can educate the public about the upcoming elections. He discussed the differences between the 2023 election and previous ones, specifically focusing on the use of the Proportional Representation (PR) system. Konneh urged attendees to pay attention to the ECSL representative’s insights on the district block system, which is currently being pursued.

Victoria Vanday Bernard, the SLAJ Regional Chairperson (East), expressed gratitude for the informative session in Kenema. She emphasized the need to understand a system that had not been used in 21 years and welcomed the ECSL representative, anticipating an enlightening session with the commission.

Tamba Taylor, a senior staff member of the ECSL, commended SLAJ for their collaborative efforts in promoting awareness of the PR system. He provided a comprehensive presentation, illustrating the polling process, the roles of key players, and the media’s responsibilities from the opening of polls to the announcement of results.

Taylor clarified that the PR system is not entirely new, as it had been used before in different forms. He explained that the upcoming elections would employ both the PR and First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) systems for various positions. Seats were allocated based on district sizes and populations, as determined by the 2021 midterm census. Independent candidates could run for specific positions, except for the presidency. Taylor discussed the threshold calculations for parliamentary members and councillors.

Recognising the crucial role of the media, Taylor emphasised the importance of professionalism, discipline, and patriotism. He outlined the process of result collation and stressed that only the ECSL would announce the final results.

The training sessions concluded with extensive question-and-answer sessions, providing journalists with the opportunity to seek further clarity on the electoral process.

With journalists now equipped with a better understanding of the PR system, it is expected that they will play a crucial role in educating the public about the new electoral process. This will foster an informed and engaged citizenry ahead of the forthcoming elections in Sierra Leone.

The training ensured that journalists from across the country are well-versed in the PR system and can effectively inform the public about the upcoming elections. The collaboration between SLAJ and ECSL highlights the commitment to promoting transparency and fair representation in Sierra Leone’s democratic processes.

 

IMG-20230619-WA0701

True: APC Party Office on Fire in Bo City

By: Christian Conteh

Claim: APC Party Office On Fire in Bo

Verdict: True

Full Text:

Reports have emerged, accompanied by pictures and videos, indicating that the Bo office of the APC, Sierra Leone’s main opposition party at Gbaiama Road back of Paul School for the Blind, Southern Sierra Leone, is currently on fire. Sections of the APC have blamed supporters of the SLPP for this incident, which reportedly occurred following clashes between supporters of both parties.

Methodology: To investigate this claim, the SuperNewsRoom initiated an inquiry to gather more information and verify the facts.

Our fact-checker on the ground, and other sources, confirmed that indeed the APC office was on fire and police fired tear gas to disperse crowds of party supporters including those of the SLPP and APC.

Conclusion:

Based on the available evidence, it is confirmed that the APC office in Bo is indeed on fire. However, at this stage, we cannot confirm who is responsible for starting the fire.

NOTE: This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!

 

l;kh

FALSE: “Bio Ordered the Destruction of all APC Offices in Kailahun”

By: Mustapha Sheriff

 

Claim: President Julius Maada Bio has ordered the destruction of all APC party offices in Kailahun ahead of the general elections.

Screenshot of the claim

Verdict: False, no evidence to suggest that President Bio made such an order.

 

Full Text: A claim has been circulating on Facebook and WhatsApp, attributed to a user named Sahr Mokuwah, stating that President Bio has issued an order for the destruction of all APC party offices in the Kailahun District.

Methodology: To investigate this claim, the SuperNewsRoom reached out to the Sierra Leone Police the institution charged with the responsibility to protect lives and property and the Chairman of the APC Party in the District.

The Chairman of APC in Kailahun, Ensah Jajua, stated that he was not aware of any such instructions from President Bio. However, he confirmed that there had been property destruction at their party office in the district.

“No one informed me about such an instruction from President Bio. However, I can confirm that there was a clash between APC and SLPP members in Segbwema, which resulted in the destruction of some properties at our party office in Segbwema,” he said.

The Head of Police Media in the region, Prince Kamara, also confirmed the occurrence of the skirmishes.

“There was a clash between the two major parties in Segbwema Njaluahun Chiefdom, Kailahun district. However, the police were able to control the situation,” he said.

It should be noted that on the campaign trail, President Bio has made several strong statements in Kailahun including accusing Former President Koroma of supporting people who wish to bring unrest in the nation. But, he at no point in time called for the destruction of the APC party office in the district.

Conclusion: There is no evidence to support the claim that President Bio ordered the destruction of APC party offices in Kailahun. Therefore, the claim is false.

Note: This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to provide citizens with access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!

EBK

Former President Koroma Has Not Withdrawn His Support for the APC

By: Joseph Momoh Conteh

 

Claim: Former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma withdraws his support from the APC and pledges support for the ECSL Commissioner.

 

Verdict: False, there is no evidence to support this claim

 

Full Text

A post circulating on various WhatsApp groups and Facebook claims that the Former President of Sierra Leone Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma has withdrawn his support from his party, and declared support for the ECSL Boss Mohamed Konneh.

“Former President of Sierra Leone Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma raised his glass in support of ECSL Boss Mohamed Konneh.”

The same post was shared on Sierra News blog. 

“Breaking News!!

“The Former President Ernest Bai Koroma withdraw his support from the All-People’s Congress. And endorses Mohamed Konneh ECSL Commissioner to continue to conduct the June 24, 2024. EBK said he is not responsible for the predicament of the APC. Election is all about preparedness, all calendars were published by ECSL and all political parties endorsed it and goes with it. If APC are not prepared for the elections, let them quit,” it reads.

 

The post has two claims:

  1. That the Former President has withdrawn his support from the APC party.
  2. That he has endorsed the ECSL commissioner to continue to conduct the June 24, 2023, elections.

 

screenshot of the post

 

Methodology

To verify the claim, SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom fact-checkers contracted the All-People’s Congress Party National Publicity Secretary Sidi Yayah Tunish who said that the claim is FALSE.

Koroma’s statement that was released over the weekend also showed that he did not take such a position. He did not denounce his support from APC nor openly endorse the Chief Electoral Commissioner.

Conclusion

Former President Koroma did not withdraw his support for APC, nor endorse ECSL Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Konneh.

 

NOTE: This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

 U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!

 

R

Sierra Leone Election Glossary 

By: Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

Photo source: Daybreak Africa

 

Sierra Leone will go to the polls in a few days. But, to understand the process, you must be familiar with the terminologies and the numerous acronyms that will be heard or seen in reports, billboards or even in the news.

Here is a list of general terminologies, acronyms and what they stand for:

 

ECSL: Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL). It is the electoral body responsible for conducting the general elections. ECSL was formerly known as the National Elections Commission (NEC). The commission only changed its name last year, so some people interchange the use of NEC and ECSL.

 

CEC: Chief Electoral Commissioner (CEC). The CEC is Mohamed Kenewui Konneh. He is the head of ECSL, and according to the law, he will announce the final results of all national elections. The CEC is also known as the National Presiding Officer.

 

PR System: Proportional Representation system. PR is a political system that was recently reintroduced, in which councillor and parliamentary seats will be distributed to independents and political parties based on a threshold set by ECSL.

 

NEW: National Elections Watch (NEW). It is a consortium of civil society organisations that monitor electoral processes. NEW is the biggest indigenous election observer body in Sierra Leone, with hundreds of observers that monitor the elections at all levels.

 

PPRC: Political Party Regulation Commission (PPRC). The commission is responsible for registering and regulating the affairs of political parties. This means advising them to follow their own laid-down rules to run their respective parties and national election laws that will ensure their eligibility to run in any election. The PPRC was formerly known as the Political Party Registration Commission. It only changed the term “Registration” to “Regulation,” given the increased powers it got last year through a new law.

 

NCRA: National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA). The authority collects data on everyone in Sierra Leonean, from date of birth to address. NCRA was part of voter registration, and ECSL used their primary data to confirm voter eligibility.

 

MP: Member of Parliament.

 

FCC: Freetown City Council.

 

PCMP: Paramount Chief Member of Parliament. PCMP are 14 Paramount Chiefs who are selected to be Parliament members.

 

SLP: Sierra Leone Police.

 

RSLAF: Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces.

 

ONS: Office of National Security (ONS). It is the highest security architecture in the country, consisting of all the chiefs from the forces; police, army, fire force, prisons and more.

 

PPLC: Political Party Liaison Committee (PPLC). This committee comprises all political parties running in the election and the ECSL. The committee meets frequently to discuss important issues in the election.

 

EMB: Election Management Bodies (EMB). The EMB consists of security forces, ECSL and every other stakeholder that is key to managing the election.

 

SLPP: Sierra Leone Peoples Party. It is the ruling party, led by Julius Maada Bio.

 

APC: All Peoples Congress. It is the main opposition party led by Samura Kamara.

 

NGC: National Grand Coalition. NGC is seen as the third force, given the number of votes they pulled in the last election. However, this year, they have aligned themselves with the ruling SLPP.

 

KKY: Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella is the former National Grand Coalition presidential candidate. He was the leader of NGC in the last Parliament and is now a strong ally of the current President, Julius Maada Bio.

 

Chericoco: It is the nickname of the APC running mate, Chernor Maju Bah.

 

PAOPA: It is a terminology used to describe supporters of President Bio.

 

APPA: All Political Parties Association (APPA) is an association of all political parties in the country. However, it is fractured now. Some political parties have withdrawn their membership, given APPA’s alignment with the current SLPP government. APPA has officially backed the President for reelection.

COPP: Consortium of Progressive Political Parties (COPP). It was formed as an alternative to APPA. It is a group of opposition parties that came together three years ago. APC is the biggest party in COPP. COPP has officially endorsed APC’s Presidential candidate.

 

EOM: European Union Election Observer Mission. A team of electoral observers sent by the European Union. The EOM has long-term and short-term observers.

 

IRN: Independent Radio Network. IRN is a network of over 50 radio stations across the country. They do simulcast programs in the build-up to the election, during and after the whole process.

 

SLAJ: Sierra Leone Association of Journalists.

 

Terminologies related specifically to polling centres

 

There are 3,630 polling centres in the country. Every polling centre has a few stations depending on the number of voters registered for the election at the centre. As a result, you have 11,832 polling stations in the country. The following terminology is frequently used to describe processes, documents or officials who are all related to elections:

 

                                                                       

Polling Agent: This means a person appointed as a polling agent by either a political party or an independent candidate to observe the election in a polling centre.

                                               

FVR: Final Voter Register. It is prepared by ECSL, where details of each voter are captured.

 

VOI: Voter Identification Officer. The VOI is responsible for identifying the voter and confirming if their name is part of the voter’s register.

 

PO: Presiding Officer. He is in charge of the election in a polling station.

 

BBC: Ballot Box Controller. The official is in charge of the ballot box. They handle it and ensure people cast their ballots in the correct box because there are four boxes in each polling station.

 

RRF: Result Reconciliation Form. The RRF is the result form given to political parties at the end of counting in each polling station. RRFs are also posted publicly to be seen on the wall of the polling stations.

 

PCM: Polling Center Manager. They are responsible for running the whole centre. They supervise and coordinate all the stations within the centre, among other functions.

 

This public education article is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

#U Don Chek Am? Na 4 chek am!

 

IMG-20230616-WA0566

PREPAREDNESS OF THE SECURITY SECTOR FOR THE JUNE 2023 ELECTIONS AND CRITICAL ISSUES BEING DEALT WITH BEFORE AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS

 – A STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY COORDINATOR, ABDULAI CAULKER, ON BEHALF OF THE SECURITY SECTOR, DATED FRIDAY, 16TH JUNE, 2023

  1. Members of the Fourth Estate, Elections observation Missions, Colleagues in the Security Sector, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome to this very important gathering,

 

2. Ladies and gentlemen, we are very close to the June 24 multi-tier elections, and so we have deemed it necessary to call this press conference.

 

  1. The statement, which I am going to make is on behalf of the security sector, and it is in two parts. The first part is to give you an update on the state of preparedness of the security sector for the upcoming elections in terms of our professional readiness to deliver security. The second part will highlight some of the critical issues we are paying special attention to as a sector during this election and after, and the unfair condemnation of the security sector.

Let me start with the first – our level of preparedness:

 

  1. The Security Sector has the constitutional responsibility to ensure the peace and security of Sierra Leone and to protect lives and property. An adjunct to this strategic responsibility is to provide the conducive environment for the holding of democratic elections. This is a responsibility that the sector has always carried out with professionalism and immense success, leading to the peaceful conduct of four democratic elections in the country between 2002 and 2018, accompanied by a smooth and peaceful transfer of political power. And so, the Saturday 24th June 2023 elections will not be radically different from previous general elections, and we will not reinvent the will.

 

  1. In line with our mandate, we have undertaken a number of activities in order to get ourselves adequately prepared for the June 24th 2023 elections, and I feel       delighted to outline the following:

 

  1. We have reactivated the Integrated Election Security Planning Committee (IESPC) to ensure focused coordination of the efforts of Elections Management Bodies (EMBs), support security sector planning and actions through the development of appropriate strategies, and mobilize requisite funding support for the Security Sector to cover the elections.
  2. About one and a half years ago, we conducted a National Threat Assessment/District Risk Mapping leading to the development of three strategic documents pertinent to the effective and efficient management of the elections. These include Elections Security Strategy, Elections Communications Strategy and Elections Training Manual, all of which are now being implemented.

 

iii.            In respect of the elections training manual in particular, which deals with election security ethical issues such as professionalism, impartiality, adherence to the rule of law and human rights principles, etc. for senior security personnel, a Training of Trainers (ToTs) roundtables were held all over the country. These in turn were replicated to hundreds of junior security personnel that are participating in the elections.

 

  1. We have also reactivated the National Situation Room (NSR) to support the Security Sector Early Warning and Early Response Mechanism relating to the electoral process and related national security issues. The NSR has a Toll-Free Line of 119 accessible by all mobile networks in the country, and the public can call this number to report any election security-related concerns.

 

  1. The National Joint Operation Centre (NJOC), the Incident Command Centres (ICCs) and the Forward Control Points (FCPs) have all been reactivated to plan, coordinate and execute elections security operations both at the national and regional levels of the country.

 

  1. We recognize that election is a civil process, and so it is not our plan to over-securitize it. As a result, security for the elections will be predominantly provided by the SLP supported by other auxiliary forces. However, the RSLAF is supporting the SLP under the Military Aid to Civil Power (MACP) policy.

 

  1. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, members of the Fourth Estate, you can now see that the Security Sector is adequately prepared to provide security for the upcoming elections. The public should rest assured that the Security Sector will remain professional and impartial in the execution of its duties and every political party will be treated fairly in line with our respective mandates and codes of conduct.

 

 

  1. Let me now turn to the second part of my statement – that is critical issues we are paying attention to and the unfair criticisms levied against members of the security sector.

 

  1. The first is Social Media which has become one of the greatest threats to our national security today. There is no denying the fact that social media platforms have been largely misused to circulate misinformation, lies, tribal bigotry, hate speech, invectives and all manner of incendiary messages, especially WhatsApp. Divisive and ethnic messages expressed through social media have proved very unhelpful for national unity ad cohesion.

 

  1. The second threat is lawlessness and indiscipline. These are mainly exhibited by acts of disobedience to the laws of the land and state institutions, wanton violence, drug peddling and abuse and other forms of criminality.

 

  1. Another key threat is political intolerance which has led to unnecessary tension in the country undermining national security and the integrity of the elections. The assessment indicates that most of the violent confrontations between political party supporters stem from their inability to accommodate one another.

 

  1. I wish to conclude my statement by expressing our concern about the disturbing assertion by some members of the public and political parties that some security sector member institutions are biased, impartial and vindictive in the discharge of their functions. Whilst such assertions could be said to be based on perception and figments of the imagination, they can be demotivating to sincere and hardworking members of the security sector. I would like to clearly state that the operations of the security sector are guided by prudence, integrity and professionalism. The security sector is not a political party and has always tried to remain neutral, and not to be influenced by external factors to make it act outside the law. Groupings that are infested by lawbreakers and members who ordinarily want to take the law into their own hands have always been subjects of arrest, detention and prosecution by law enforcement agencies.

 

  1. Whilst we pledge to remain apolitical and professional, we will be emphatic that as a Sector, we will not sit by and allow miscreants to subvert either our democracy or the state. We are poised to hunt them and impel them. Just recently, our security architecture uncovered the activities of some groups with the aim of undermining national security. Some of their members have been arrested, and the security sector will continue to effect arrests.

 

  1. Let me end by encouraging you all to support the work of the Security Sector and the EMBs so that we will deliver on our respective mandates to get a peaceful and credible electoral outcome on 24th June 2023. That way, we would have once more vindicated Sierra Leone honourably for the fifth time in our democratic dispensation after the civil war. In all of this, the role of the Fourth Estate is crucial.

 

  1. To the Security Sector Family, I encourage all of us to remain strong and steadfast in protecting our country.

 

Thank you all and kindly let this message be circulated widely.

IMG_0388

SAVE THE CHILDREN, CFN AND SLAJ CALL FOR AN END TO THE ABUSE AND USE OF CHILDREN IN POLITICS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Freetown, Sierra Leone 15 June 2023 – Save the Children, in collaboration with the Children’s Forum Network and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, express deep concern over reports of children being exploited, abused and involved in political activities during the 2023 General Election Campaigns in Sierra Leone. We strongly condemn such actions and urge all political parties and candidates to immediately cease using children in political campaigns or for conveying political messages.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Sierra Leone is a signatory, provides a clear framework for the protection and well-being of children. Article 3 of the Convention emphasizes that the best interest of the child shall be a primary consideration in all actions concerning them. Furthermore, Article 32 highlights the right of children to be protected from economic exploitation and any work that may interfere with their education, harm their health, or hinder their development.

The exploitation of children for political purposes not only violates their fundamental rights but also jeopardizes their well-being and future prospects. Children should never be used as pawns or instruments in political campaigns or activities. Such actions undermine their rights, expose them to potential harm, manipulation, and psychological distress.

In addition, we are deeply disappointed by recent developments that disrupted children’s education. It has come to our attention that the majority of over 220,000 pupils taking the West African Senior Secondary Education Examination (WASSCE), Primary and Secondary School children were either too scared to attend their exams or did not go to school Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th June 2023. This disruption to their education not only impacts their academic progress but also compromises their safety and mental well-being.

Eglantyne Jebb, the founder of Save the Children, initiated this movement to advocate for and protect children who suffer the consequences of political instability. In situations where children are exploited for political gains, it is imperative to remind everyone of the urgent need to protect and prioritize the well-being of children.

Save the Children, Children’s Forum Network and Sierra Leone Association of Journalists call upon all political parties, candidates, and their supporters to uphold the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. We urge them to:

  • Immediately cease the use of children in political campaigns, protests, events, or
  • Ensure the protection of children from any form of exploitation, manipulation, or harm during the electoral
  • Raise awareness within respective party structures and among supporters about the importance of safeguarding children’s
  • Encourage the reporting of instances of child exploitation to the appropriate

We also appeal to the media, civil society organizations, and citizens to remain vigilant and report any instances of child exploitation or involvement in political activities to the nearest police station.

Together, we can create an environment where children are safe, nurtured, and free from political exploitation.

Save the Children, Children’s Forum Network, and Sierra Leone Association of Journalists remain committed to working towards a society that upholds and protects the rights of every child. We call on all stakeholders to join hands in ensuring that children are shielded from harm and that their rights are respected, both during and beyond the electoral process.

End

 

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ramatu Jalloh

Director, Advocacy and Communication Section Save the Children

 

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla President

Sierra Leone Association of Journalists

 

Mahmoud Barrie President

Children’s Forum Network

 

Note to Editors

Save the Children is a leading global humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the lives of children. They work to protect children from harm, provide access to quality education and healthcare, and ensure their voices are heard. Their mission is to create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) is a professional body representing journalists in Sierra Leone. It promotes press freedom, ethical journalism, and the rights of journalists. SLAJ strives to uphold high standards of reporting and advocates for the welfare and protection of journalists, fostering a vibrant media landscape in the country.

The Children’s Forum Network (CFN) is a platform for children to voice their opinions and participate in decision-making processes. CFN empowers children to advocate for their rights, promotes child participation, and works towards creating a society that values and prioritizes the well-being and development of children.

8yyi

Claim That a Girl was Beaten Because She Wore an APC T-Shirt is Misleading

By: Mabinty M Kamara

 

Claim

A girl was cruelly beaten up by her uncle because she wore an APC T-Shirt; the uncle wanted her to wear an SLPP T-Shirt instead.

Verdict: MISLEADING

Full Text

A video circulating on social media shows a girl who had been violently beaten by her uncle, allegedly because she was wearing an All Peoples Congress (APC) T-shirt in Mile-91. However, our fact-checking investigation reveals that the claim is misleading. The video was also shared on the Awareness Network blog

https://fb.watch/l9gWUbkskb/?mibextid=6aamW6

The accompanying text states,

“Sad moment for this boy [girl] living at Mile 91 APC severely dealt with[her for wearing an SLPP-T-Shirt] him to wear SLPP T-shirt. This is human rights violation? We’re calling on the government, the police, the human rights organizations and the Civil societies to take immediate action and put a stop to this nonsense.”

Methodology:

To verify this claim, our SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom fact-checkers reached out to the Sierra Leone Police and fellow journalists in Mile 19, Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone. Chief Inspector Alhassan Kamara, the Line Manager attached to the Family Support Unit (FSU) at Mile 91, confirmed that they are indeed investigating a case involving the girl and her maternal grandfather, Mustapha.

According to their investigation, the girl went out on June 3rd, which coincided with the APC campaign date in the town, and didn’t return home until the next day, June 4th, 2023. Inspector Kamara stated that their investigation has not found any evidence suggesting political motivations behind the grandfather’s actions. The grandfather claimed that it was a disciplinary measure that had escalated beyond intended proportions. Importantly, the girl was wearing a plain red blouse with no political inscription, contrary to the claim that she was wearing an APC T-shirt.

Inspector Kamara emphasised that since the girl is underage and has no understanding of politics, they are treating the incident as a case of child cruelty and domestic violence.

“She was wearing a white and red blouse. She is an underage girl so we cannot attribute the incident to politics because she knows nothing about politics, so we are investigating child cruelty and domestic violence,” he said.

Conclusions:

There is no evidence to show that the abuse was politically motivated.
The child was not wearing an APC T-Shirt but a plain red blouse.
The grandfather actually assaulted the child.

Note: This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!

election_sierra_leone

Misleading Claim- Ruling SLPP Restricts Opposition Party Access to Their Stronghold

By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu

Claim: The ruling party’s (PAOPA) manipulation in action. Depriving their opposition counterpart free access to their (the ruling party) stronghold

Full Text
A recent claim suggesting that the ruling party (PAOPA) manipulated the situation to restrict the opposition party’s (APC) access to the Bo Coronation Field lacks evidence, according to the fact-checking conducted by the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom.

The post/video in question was shared by Ibrahim Sorie (@Ibrahim33479601) on June 9, 2023, and has garnered 62 views. However, the claim made in the post does not hold up under scrutiny.

Verdict: Misleading 

Methodology

To verify the allegations, the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom team reached out to various individuals involved. Franklin O. Browney, the Secretary of the Bo District Football Association, clarified that the APC was not denied access to the field. He explained that the ruling party (SLPP) had already booked the field for three days, from June 7th to June 9th, 2023, and paid for the reservation. This information contradicts the claim under review.

Furthermore, Joseph Elongima Mbawa, the Deputy Regional Director of the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC) in the Southern Region, investigated the matter after receiving a call from the APC chairlady. He discovered that the field is managed by the Bo District Football Association, and bookings are made on a first-come, first-serve basis. The APC party had booked the field three times but only utilized it once, failing to make the required two payments. In contrast, the SLPP had successfully made a booking for three days, which was duly communicated to the APC.

Alhaji Osman Mansaray, the police media spokesperson attached to the Bo West Police Division, confirmed that no formal complaint regarding the alleged deprivation had been received.

In conclusion

The claim lacks substance and is not backed up by any form of evidence

 

Note:  This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!