On Sunday, September 27, 2026, the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Moses Sellu Mambu, allegedly threatened the Managing Editor of the New Agenewspaper, Thomas Josephus Dixon, after a live television programme at Africa Young Voices (AYV)television in Freetown.
According to Dixon, both men were on a panel discussing the SLPP’s internal democracy when he said, “I am advising the President to take control of his party because some members of the executive are behaving like small boys.”
Dixon said Mambu took offence at the phrase “small boys” and demanded a retraction and an apology, which Dixon declined to give.
After the programme, in the presence of the presenter, Victor Jones, and videographer Abu Bakarr Kamara, Mambu reportedly told Dixon: “We will hit you hard! This is the same reason for which your friend Samura was killed the last time.”
Dixon said he called on the presenter and the videographer to take note of the threat. Dixon understood the statement as a reference to journalist Ibrahim Samura, who died following an assault while covering Sierra Leone’s 2018 elections.
Victor Jones submitted a formal eyewitness account to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in support of Dixon’s complaint.
Mambu has denied threatening Dixon. According to SLAJ, he told its Secretary-General, Edward Fara Marrah, that he had only advised Dixon to be careful. Dixon told the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) that he had lodged a formal complaint with the police on Friday, October 9, 2026, and is awaiting feedback.
Threatening journalists undermines freedom of expression and discourages open debate on matters of public interest.
The MFWA reiterates that public officials, political parties and their representatives must respond to critical journalism through lawful and peaceful means without resorting to threats, intimidation or hostile rhetoric against journalists.
The MFWA therefore calls on the Sierra Leonean authorities to conduct an immediate, impartial and credible investigation into the incident, establish the facts and ensure accountability for any wrongdoing.
