The publisher of one of Sierra Leone's newspapers, Globa Times Newspaper, Sorie Fofana, has, in his short comment, warned the US-based media, Africanist Press, from inciting the country's military. The Global Times newspaper publisher cites how the Africanist press's constant publication of payroll documents that were illegally obtained from the Sierra Leone Ministry of Defence, with significant salaries and wages disparities.
The short comment reads as follows:
The Africanist Press, based in the United States of America, has been busy publishing payroll documents obtained illegally from the Ministry of Defence. The payroll documents show significant disparities between salaries and wages paid to senior officers and their junior counterparts in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. These publications are intended to stir up loyal soldiers to embark on unlawful behavior. Thankfully, we now have a professional army trained to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
After the SLPP of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah was elected in 1996, several newspapers emerged. Most of them were established and funded by opposition elements within and even outside the country.
Some of those newspapers started publishing stories aimed at inciting the army to rebel against the democratically elected government of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. In May 1997, the Army rebelled against the civilian administration and overthrew the government of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.
The decision by the African Press to publish sensitive documents obtained illegally from the Ministry of Defence is a deliberate attempt to undermine the security of the state by inciting loyal soldiers to rebel against the civilian government.
We call on the government to treat such publications with the utmost seriousness. We cannot continue to stay silent when the security of the state is being undermined by some dissident elements calling themselves journalists. It has to be stated clearly that the security of the state is far more important than press freedom.
The decision by the editorial board of the Africanist Press to publish such inciting stories is a new low in modern journalism.
The government should take all necessary actions to protect the security of the state.
Inciting loyal soldiers to rebel against an elected government is a treasonable offense. So, stop inciting soldiers to rebel.
Thank you so very much!
©️ Global Times Newspaper
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