Petty officer occupies African land in Suriname (9)

'petty' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'officer occupies african land in suriname' is the wordplay.
'officer' becomes 'lt' (abbreviation for lieutenant).
'occupies' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters occupy or enter the word).
'african land' becomes 'mali' (country in Africa).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'suriname' becomes 'sme' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'lt' going into 'mali' is 'mallti'.
'mallti' going into 'sme' is 'SMALLTIME'.

Can you help me to learn more?