In a significant step towards reinforcing the crucial relationship between the media and law enforcement in Sierra Leone, the newly elected Executive of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) conducted a high-level courtesy visit on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu. The meeting, held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Police Headquarters in Kingtom, Freetown, was aimed at fostering continued dialogue and collaboration between the two essential pillars of the nation’s democracy.
Led by the immediate past President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, the SLAJ delegation used the opportunity to formally introduce its new leadership to the IGP. The engagement was also marked by a moment of appreciation, as the association presented an Award of Appreciation to IGP Sellu, recognizing his instrumental role over the past six years in building bridges and strengthening the once-strained ties between the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the press.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla provided a poignant reflection on the state of media-police relations prior to his own Presidency, a period he described as often being marked by conflict, mistrust, and incidents, where journalists viewed the police as primary perpetrators of assault and harassment. He credited the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2021 as the pivotal moment that dramatically reshaped this dynamic, ushering in a new era of cooperation and mutual respect. “That agreement changed the narrative and promoted joint trainings to help both professions understand each other’s roles in our democracy,” Nasralla stated, underscoring the transformative power of the accord.
The new SLAJ Executive introduced to the IGP included President Alhaji Manika Kamara, Vice President, Richard L. Gevao, Secretary General, Edward Marrah, Assistant Secretary General, Theophilus Egbenda, Financial Secretary, Mohamed Konneh, and Organizing Secretary, Alice Turay. Nasralla also took a moment to commend the SLP’s own Media Team, notably pointing out that senior officers ACP Brima Kamara and Deputy ASP Mohamed B. Senu are themselves proud members of SLAJ, symbolizing the deepened integration between the two institutions.
In his remarks, the new SLAJ President, Alhaji Manika Kamara, expressed profound gratitude for the IGP’s open-door policy and leadership style. He reaffirmed the association’s unwavering commitment to deepening the existing collaboration, and presented a forward-looking proposal for the review and expansion of the landmark 2021 MoU. President Kamara specifically called for the institution of joint training sessions for journalists and police officers, a measure he deemed critical in the run-up to the 2028 elections to prevent tensions and ensure both sides understand their respective roles in maintaining order and enabling the free flow of information. “These trainings will help reduce tensions by ensuring journalists and police alike understand their roles, journalists seeking to report the news, while police focus on protection,” Kamara explained. He further appealed for the inclusion of media professionals in the official police training curriculum to systematically enhance mutual understanding from the earliest stages of an officer’s career.
In his response, IGP William Fayia Sellu warmly welcomed the new SLAJ leadership and praised the remarkable cordiality achieved during Ahmed Sahid Nasralla’s tenure. He wholeheartedly endorsed the proposals for joint training initiatives, and made a firm commitment to involving SLAJ in the development of the police training curriculum, including the innovative idea of inviting seasoned journalists to lecture recruits at the Sierra Leone Police Academy. “We are partners, the police make the news and the journalists report it. It doesn’t make sense to be at war with each other,” the IGP stressed, capturing the essence of the renewed partnership. He assured the delegation that his office would remain permanently open and receptive to continuous dialogue. The meeting concluded on a high note with the formal presentation of the award to IGP Sellu, solidifying a shared commitment to preserving the 2021 MoU, as a landmark achievement that continues to transform a once-adversarial relationship into a model of cooperation essential for press freedom, effective law enforcement, and robust democratic governance.