#Headlines

Gambian Lawyers demand protection for Sierra Leone academic and journalist

Jun 5, 2025, 11:42 AM

A law firm in The Gambia is demanding security protection for Sierra Leonean academic and journalist, Dr Chernoh Alpha Bah, ahead of his proposed visit to his home country of Sierra Leone.

A letter sent to Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio earlier this week by Attorneys at Modou Drameh and Associates notifying him of Dr Bah’s upcoming trip to Sierra Leone, reads:

The Honorable Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio President of the Republic of Sierra Leone

State House

Freetown,

Sierra Leone

30 May, 2025

Your Excellency,

RE: REQUEST FOR SECURITY GUARANTEES AND PROTECTION ON BEHALF OF DR. CHERNOH ALPHA M. BAH DURING HIS PROPOSED VISIT TO SIERRA LEONE

We write on behalf of Dr. Chernoh Alpha M. Bah, a Sierra Leonean national, currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University, United States of America.

Dr. Bah intends to travel to Sierra Leone before the end of this year, primarily for the purpose of visiting family and conducting academic research in connection with an ongoing history project of considerable scholarly value. While the specific dates of travel will be communicated in due course, we deem it necessary to bring this intended visit to the formal attention of the relevant state and security institutions in the interest of Dr. Bah’s personal safety and fundamental rights.

As you may be aware, Dr. Bah has been the subject of sustained threats and harassment in recent years, including death threats linked directly to his professional work as a journalist and public intellectual. These threats have been documented and condemned by international academic and press freedom organizations. For context and reference, we draw Your Excellency’s attention to the following public statements and reports:

Letter of the Committee of Concerned Scientists addressed to Your Excellency on 5th May 2025 on the Subject of Dr. Bah’s proposed trip to Sierra Leone – https://concernedscientists.org/2025/05/postdoctoral-associate- at-brown-university-still-unable-to-travel-to-west-africa/
Academic Petition signed by Over 100 Academics in America, Europe, and Africa in Support of Dr. Chernoh Alpha M. Bah in July 2024 and published by Africanist Press on 15th July 2024 – https://africanistpress.com/academics-condemn-attacks-on-sierra-leones-endangered- historian-and-journalist/
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Statement issued on 3rd September 2024 demanding Dr. Bah’s safety and freedom from harassment – https://rsf.org/en/sierra-leone-rsf-condemns-impunity-around-cyber-harassment- investigative-journalist-chernoh-alpha-m

In light of these ongoing threats and the well-documented nature of the risks involved, we respectfully request that Your Excellency’s Office, in coordination with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Sierra Leone Police Force, issue appropriate instructions to ensure the provision of adequate security and protection measures for Dr. Bah throughout his stay in the country. We also request the designation of a liaison officer within the Sierra Leone Police to coordinate security logistics in advance of and during his visit.

This request is made in the spirit of preserving the dignity of academic freedom, protecting human rights, and upholding Sierra Leone’s obligations under international instruments to which it is a party, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

We trust that your esteemed offices will treat this matter with the seriousness it merits. Should further details be required, we remain at your disposal to provide additional information or engage in formal coordination with your representatives.

We thank you for your attention and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Faithfully,

Modou Drameh, Esq.

Principal Counsel

Modou Drameh& Associates

Solicitors for Dr. Chernoh Alpha M. Bah

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