REVIEW OF SIERRA LEONE MEDIA REPORTS

Public Information Office (PIO) of UNIOSIL – 16 July 2008

 

[Disclaimer: Excerpts below are from print media and news agency dispatches. UNIOSIL cannot vouch for the accuracy of the media reports].

 

President Koroma heads investigation into cocaine catch

Reportedly determined to produce results of findings, the head of State, President Ernest Bai Kororma is said to have placed himself at the head of the investigation team into the recent catch of 700kg of cocaine onboard an aircraft that forced its landing at the Lungi international airport of Sunday 13 July. He is assisted by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Oliver Somassa plus an unspecified number of Scotland Yard Detectives, who arrived last night from Britain, reports Standard Times. The President has vowed to leave no stone unturned and to stamp out the illegal and criminal practice in the country. “Any one involved in this act will suffer the full penalty of his action” an apparently angry President is quoted as saying. 58 suspects have so far been reportedly arrested and put in custody.

 

Police Chief urges Government to strengthen security to fight modern crime

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of crime, Francis Munu, has reportedly called on the Government to champion legislative reforms in the country that would empower the security forces to tackle modern crime. The world having become a global village, the police chief argues that Sierra Leone needs to be pro-active as part of the village in terms of crime, reports For di People. He notes that most of the laws in the country are old and very lenient and need to be strengthened, citing trafficking, which he said deserves harsh punishment. He cautioned culprits to desist from criminal acts, saying that the days of trafficking in the country were over.

 

Sierra Leone establishes new diplomatic ties with three countries

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has reportedly disclosed that Sierra Leone was on the verge of establishing diplomatic relations with three countries namely, India, Brazil and Senegal. She said those countries have offered embassies to Sierra Leone as donations; and that they would also open diplomatic missions in Sierra Leone, all geared towards strengthening of relations, reports Concord Times. The Minister said that she had been pursuing bilateral agreements with “these three emerging markets that need raw materials” as part of her strategy of promoting Sierra Leone “through active diplomacy in a changing world”, she is quoted as saying.

 

(Compiled by UNIOSIL, Public Information Office)