We in Sierra Leone Have Become Completely 'Tonto,' Transitioning Into a Far More Dangerous Realm of Drug Trafficking
Sierra Leone's enduring struggles are rooted in a long and troubled history that stretches back centuries. From the oppressive grip of colonialism to the challenges of post-independence, leaders have continuously twisted the truth to advance their agendas. This betrayal has not only persisted but has become entrenched within the very institutions of the country. Each institution—be it political, judicial, or administrative—harbors its own set of moles that undermine the system.
The entanglement of political figures, security forces, and administrative officials with narcotics traffickers has not only facilitated the cartel’s operations but has also eroded public trust in democratic governance and jeopardized both national and international security.Sierra Leone's enduring struggles are rooted in a long and troubled history that stretches back centuries. From the oppressive grip of colonialism to the challenges of post-independence, leaders have continuously twisted the truth to advance their agendas. This betrayal has not only persisted but has become entrenched within the very institutions of the country. Each institution—political, judicial, or administrative—harbors its own set of moles that undermine the system.
These agents of deceit ensure that the truth is buried beneath layers of bureaucratic confusion, feeding the public a steady diet of misinformation.
We have gone totally ‘Tonto.’
Often referred to as the ‘Athens of Africa,’ Sierra Leone is a land rich in potential, boasting 44 minerals containing rare earth elements, arable land, fertile soil, predictable weather, and a rich cultural heritage. However, behind this impressive façade, the country's elites have inflicted significant damage on both the nation and its economy. As a result, we have completely lost our way.
Sixty-four years after our country's independence from the British on April 27, 1961, our country still struggles to find a path toward prosperity. While other African nations have made significant progress despite facing similar historical circumstances, we now find ourselves in an even more precarious situation.
Graduating instead to a much more dangerous territory of international drug trafficking.
‘The entanglement of political figures, security forces, and administrative officials with narcotics traffickers has not only facilitated the cartel’s operations but has also eroded public trust in democratic governance and jeopardized both national and international security.’
“We have completely gone ‘Tonto.’”
“SIERRA LEONE: COCAINE CARTELS AND THE RISE OF STATE CAPTURE”
Sierra Leone has come under renewed scrutiny as a key transit hub for international drug trafficking. A damning report by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs underscores the extent of the crisis, stating that "drug trafficking and money laundering remain prevalent, with the country being used as a transshipment point from South America and Asia to Europe, and, to a lesser extent, the United States." The report further highlights that corruption is a “pervasive problem in Sierra Leone that compromises citizen access to basic public services and institutions such as health, education, and the police. The criminal justice system is inefficient and backlogged.” ( Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs: Sierra Leone Summary - United States Department of State)
Escalating role in global drug trade
Sierra Leone has become a critical hub in international cocaine trafficking, with increasing seizures and arrests linked to the country. The World Drug Report 2023 identified eight African nations as emerging markets for the cocaine trade between 2019 and 2022. Among them, Sierra Leone stands out, with record drug seizures in 2021. —page160: WDR23_B3_CH8.pdf.
The country’s role in the global narcotics trade became even more evident when Belgian authorities traced the second-largest shipment of cocaine entering their ports to Sierra Leone, seizing six tons of the illicit substance in 2024. (Big Drop In Drug Seizures At Belgium Mega Port As Latam Busts Soar - Barron's)
Cocaine seizures
The increasing use of West African maritime routes by traffickers is exemplified by a significant drug interception in November 2022. The French Navy, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Brazil, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, intercepted a Brazilian tugboat 400 miles off the coast of Sierra Leone. The vessel, under surveillance since its departure from Brazil, was carrying over 4.6 tons of cocaine worth approximately €150 million (US$157.8 million). If distributed in the UK, authorities estimate the drugs could have generated more than £300 million (US$366.4 million) in criminal profits. (French Navy Seizes 4.6 Tons of Cocaine from Brazilian Tugboat | OCCRP)
(The French Navy)
Sierra Leone's link to the global cocaine trade has been further reinforced by multiple arrests involving traffickers with ties to the country
On January 9, 2025, Joy Gulmatico, a 29-year-old Filipina, was apprehended at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport attempting to smuggle 4.57 kg of cocaine worth PHP 24.2 million ($416,240). She had travelled from Sierra Leone via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Filipina traveler caught with P24-M cocaine at NAIA | Philippine News Agency)
On 17 January 2025, in Mumbai, India, authorities arrested Thoma Mendy, a 40-year-old Senegalese national, for smuggling 2.6 kg of cocaine valued at ₹26.62 crore ($3 million). Mendy admitted he had received the drugs at a hotel in Sierra Leone before embarking on his journey. (Mumbai: DRI Arrests 40-Year-Old Senegal National For Smuggling Cocaine Worth ₹26.62 Crore At CSMIA; Reveals Syndicate Ties)
On 8 February 2025, the authorities in Liberia seized a “shipment of 234 kg of cocaine at Bo Waterside, a key border crossing with Sierra Leone.” (Liberia’s Growing Drug Crisis: Weak Justice System Turning Nation into Traffickers’ Haven - FrontPageAfrica)
In May 2022, a major cocaine seizure occurred in Burkina Faso, where 115 kg of the drug was discovered in a vehicle that had originated in Sierra Leone before crossing through Guinea and Mali en route to Ghana. (See page 14: TOCTA_Sahel_drugs.pdf)
High-profile UK smuggling operation
One of the most striking cases implicating Sierra Leone in global drug trafficking occurred in June 2022. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) intercepted a Merseyside-based organized crime syndicate attempting to smuggle 1.3 tonnes of cocaine into the UK. The drugs, concealed within a shipment of garri flour from Freetown, had an estimated street value of £140 million. The operation, codenamed "Lemonlike," identified Darren Schofield, also known as "Thor," as the ringleader. Six members of the gang were sentenced to a combined 75 years in prison in December 2024. ( Drugs boss set up front company for Amazon and Argos goods to smuggle cocaine worth £140m - National Crime Agency) (Thor' and his gang smuggled £140m of cocaine into the UK from Sierra Leone - Liverpool Echo)
Diplomatic controversy
On or about January 17, 2025, no fewer than seven suitcases filled with cocaine were discovered in a Sierra Leone embassy vehicle in Guinea, raising diplomatic and legal questions about official complicity in drug smuggling operations. (Sierra Leone: Suitcases of suspected cocaine found in embassy vehicle - BBC News) | (YAME Digital)
State capture
The Africa Confidential Special Report, titled "President Bio Keeps Cocaine Lord in the Family," Sierra-Leone-Cocaine-Lord-Special-Report-1.pdf provides compelling evidence of state capture in Sierra Leone by narcotics traffickers. The report details how Jos Leijdekkers (also known as Chubby Jos, Mocro Mafia Boss, Bellos Jos, and Omar Sheriff), a convicted Dutch cocaine kingpin, has infiltrated the highest levels of Sierra Leone's political and security structures. (Mafia boss 'Chubby Jos' tracked down after pics gave away location but shock twist means cops can't touch him…for now | The US Sun) He has effectively infiltrated and commandeered state institutions to serve the interests of his criminal enterprise. (YAME Digital)
In 2008, Sierra Leone’s state apparatus cooperated to ensure that those who flew a plane-load of cocaine into the country were apprehended and handed over to the United States. However, this remains the only instance where cocaine traffickers have been arrested with the collaboration of the Sierra Leonean government. Since then, the landscape has drastically changed, with mounting evidence that state institutions are now complicit in the drug trade rather than combating it.
Various investigative reports have exposed the cartel's deep political ties in Sierra Leone. Notably, Africa Confidential reveals that Leijdekkers, also known as Omar Sheriff, has a personal connection to the presidency, as he is romantically involved with Agnes Bio, the daughter of President Julius Maada Bio. Agnes Bio holds a diplomatic position at Sierra Leone’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, a role that grants her diplomatic immunity. This raises concerns that the cartel may be using diplomatic privileges to facilitate its operations under official cover.
Reports from Africa Confidential and other international sources indicate that Leijdekkers and his cartel have infiltrated Sierra Leone’s security forces, securing logistical support and protection for their smuggling operations.
This suggests a deliberate subversion of security institutions, prioritizing the interests of the cartel over national security.
The issuance of official documents to cartel members is another strong indicator of state capture. Both past and present Chief Immigration Officers have been implicated in providing passports to cartel operatives, enabling their unrestricted international movement. This abuse of authority demonstrates the cartel’s ability to manipulate immigration systems for illicit purposes.
Evidence has emerged that the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, also known as Deep Water Quay, has been used as a hub for massive cocaine shipments to Europe. Despite multiple cocaine seizures abroad linked to shipments from Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Police have taken no action, further signaling state complicity.
Despite overwhelming evidence of state institutions being exploited by the cartel, there have been no prosecutions. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which is empowered to initiate legal proceedings, has remained silent and inactive, suggesting either intimidation or collusion. The ACC’s failure to act reinforces the perception of a compromised justice system.
Money laundering and rapid asset accumulation by government officials have reached alarming levels. High-ranking officials, including the Chief Immigration Officer, have reportedly acquired multiple properties in the United States and elsewhere in quick succession. This sudden wealth accumulation abroad strongly indicates money laundering and illicit financial flows, further entrenching the cartel’s economic influence.
Conclusion
These indicators paint a clear picture of a criminal organization that has effectively captured state mechanisms, bending them to its will and undermining the rule of law. The entanglement of political figures, security forces, and administrative officials with narcotics traffickers has not only facilitated the cartel’s operations but has also eroded public trust in democratic governance and jeopardized both national and international security. Addressing this crisis requires urgent, coordinated action at both domestic and global levels to dismantle the cartel’s grip on state institutions and restore institutional integrity, justice, and accountability.
Abdoul Mahdieu Savage | Contact: Renewal News Network Limited | Send EmailRELATED
KARACHI: March 23, 2025: Pakistani authorities have intercepted an attempt to smuggle 5.6 million Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets, valued at Rs2.8 billion (US$10 million), disguised as a towel export to Sierra Leone.
The case follows a similar seizure last month, where 21.8 million Tramadol tablets and 7,000 capsules worth Rs10 billion were confiscated.
“Nations Committed to Security Stand Against Drug Trafficking!”
They go to great lengths to smuggle the drugs, only to be outsmarted by customs agents. Anyone considering the risks of drug dealing across borders should learn from this.
As The Opposition Wins in Senegal, is Democracy in Africa Really 'Backsliding'?
The key criteria for a system of governance that people will trust are whether it provides adequate accountability, balance, and a mechanism for peaceful succession. A fully functioning, robust democracy can provide all these things, but even the oldies (like the UK or the US) can find it difficult. Many other countries, not just in Africa, are still searching for their formula to meet these criteria.
The term ‘democratic backsliding’ Is much in vogue.
But it is misleading, and for Africa, wrong.
Senegalese women cast their ballots in the presidential elections in February
The term ‘democratic backsliding’ Is much in vogue. But it is misleading, and for Africa, wrong.
We all know to what it refers: the recent flurry of coups in Africa, the unconstitutional changes of government, the growing number of 100% predictable election results, the ‘legislative manipulation’ or legal maneuvers to limit the number of candidates or restrict the number of voters to increase the chances of an incumbent (or their party) winning again, the constraints on journalists, media and free speech to obstruct or limit opposing views … These are real and worrying developments.
But the phrase also carries assumptions about what democracy is, how it should behave, and what form it should take, which may not be either appropriate or useful.
It is possible to see what is happening in an alternative light: that democracy in Africa is evolving, just in a different direction than that presumed by many outside observers. The debate over the best form(s) of governance in Africa is real and live: one frontline lies between the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES) and the remaining members of ECOWAS. But it also encompasses the long-running dispute over the viability of the relatively authoritarian ‘developmental state,’ with Rwanda and (once upon a time) Ethiopia seen as the models.
It is no coincidence the Sahel juntas have been sending missions to Rwanda to learn how to do it, though they should remember that this model can all too easily slide towards civil war: the attempt to repress differences can lead simply to a more violent expression of them.
This debate matters not just for Africa, but globally. China and Russia are explicitly challenging the ideological hegemony of Western-style democracy, along with its supporting infrastructure of human rights, multilateral organizations, and the international rule of law, as the best model for achieving peace and prosperity. At the least, they argue, other countries should be free to decide whether these norms are right for them.
In 2023, Xi Jinping launched China’s ‘Global Civilisations Initiative, its ‘Global Development Initiative’ and a ‘Global Security Initiative’. Like the old Belt and Road Initiative, these are designed to re-orient the world towards China, in this case ideologically rather than physically. While their substance remains vague, the initiatives provide an alternative to the ‘Western’ norms embodied in the UN, its multilateral institutions, and the multiple charters and agreements promulgated under its auspices.
They are an integral part of efforts to re-frame the debate from one of ‘democrats vs. authoritarians’, to ‘the Global South and its reliable friends in the Global East vs. the neo-colonialist exploitative West’. The latter narrative is gaining traction in Africa, boosted by the Gaza crisis, where Western countries are seen (hypocritically) as quick to condemn Hamas but slow to criticize the huge death toll Israel has inflicted on Palestinian civilians.
Recent polling by Afrobarometer suggests that an average of 66% of Africans want to live in a democracy, but not necessarily the one they’ve got. Only 38% are satisfied with the way their democracies operate, while 53% are now willing to contemplate military intervention if elected leaders fail in their duties.
This reflects the ease with which electoral democracy has been manipulated, making people feel increasingly disenfranchised. In Senegal we have just seen popular protest, international pressure and robust judicial institutions stop one attempt to prolong a presidential term – and ultimately lead to the dramatic defeat of the government, even though the election was anything but free and fair.
Elsewhere, however, as in Guinea or Gabon, military intervention may be the only way to change the regime. The question is not whether a country has the trappings of democracy, but whether the system works, enabling people to change a ruler when they want to.
The key criteria for a system of governance that people will trust are whether it provides adequate accountability, balance, and a mechanism for peaceful succession. A fully functioning, robust democracy can provide all these things, but even the oldies (like the UK or the US) can find it difficult. Many other countries, not just in Africa, are still searching for their formula to meet these criteria.
Balance, for example, requires that powerful groups, peripheral regions, or minorities feel their views or interests are adequately represented in governance structures. Elections alone rarely provide this. Accountability and trust will be lacking where too many people feel that the formal mechanisms benefit only an elite who decide when it is ‘their turn to eat.’
In the Sahel, five countries now have de facto military governments, but Mauritania and Chad have been more successful at maintaining an adequate balance as well as a modicum of democratic forms. They have also remained closer to ‘the West’ while the three juntas have explicitly realigned themselves with Russia. Is it therefore their international allegiance rather than their governance structures that matter in how they are viewed?
I would argue it is more than that. Whatever their original motivation for seizing power, and their use of anti-French rhetoric to legitimize their rule, the juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger seem determined to resist any external accountability to ECOWAS or AU norms of governance and reject the notion that civilian rule should be re-established within a time-limit. Hence their apparent determination to leave ECOWAS despite the economic hardship it would inflict on their people – unless, of course, they can change the balance of power within ECOWAS to support new, more flexible norms.
So democracies along the coast have good reason to be wary of the juntas’ intentions. To protect themselves, they – and their rulers – need to be more scrupulous in respecting the current norms, and reflecting their citizens’ views in government so that citizens have a greater sense of ownership and will resist efforts to overthrow it. This is the best defence of democracy and in effect what we have seen in Senegal. But governments in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Togo need to take urgent note.
My conclusion is that the current crisis of governance in Africa may just as likely lead to a renewal of democracy as a further slide into authoritarianism. It is the less accountable systems – in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Togo – that are most at risk. Nevertheless, Africa’s norms, embodied in the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, are under threat as authoritarian governments can now find willing international supporters to back them up.
The fate of democracy in Africa is in the hands of the African people themselves. But those trying to strengthen it deserve all the support we can give.
Nick Westcott for DiA— Nick Westcott is Professor of Practice in Diplomacy at SOAS University of London and former Director of the Royal African Society.
Congratulations on Your Graduating with a Master of Business Administration—MBA!
We're so proud of you for all your hard work and dedication. An incredible achievement to earn an MBA, but it is even more impressive to do so while juggling work, studies, and family responsibilities.
Sarah B H Ellis; MBA
Arden University, Birmingham, UK; Class of 2023
Congratulations, and we are so proud of you!
We're so proud of you for all your hard work and dedication. An incredible achievement to earn an MBA, but it is even more impressive to do so while juggling work, studies, and family responsibilities.
Congratulations on Your Graduating with a Master of Business Administration—MBA!
I know that it was not easy, but you never gave up. You worked hard, stayed focused, and never let anything get in your way —an inspiration to many, and we are so grateful to have you as a family.
Your MBA is a testament to your intelligence, drive, determination, and commitment to excellence. We know you have big plans for the future, and we're excited to see your accomplishment; with your skills and knowledge, you can make a difference in the world.
We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Congratulations again, Aru, and we are so proud of you! Continue to do amazing things.
Tagged: #Arden University, Birmingham, UK | #StageClip | #ClassOf2023
Obama becomes minority owner, strategic partner for NBA Africa
Obama’s investment in the league will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent, reports CNN
yahoo!news (by Biba Adams)
NBA Africa oversees the Basketball Africa League
yahoo!news (by Biba Adams)
Former President Barack Obama’s investment in Basketball Africa will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent.
Former President Barack Obama has hit another milestone.
America’s beloved first commander-in-chief has become a strategic partner and minority owner in the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s African league — Basketball Africa.
U.S. President Barack Obama plays basketball during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House tennis court April 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
NBA Africa oversees the Basketball Africa League which has seen investment from former basketball stars, Dikembe Mutombo, Grant Hill, and Junior Bridgeman.
Obama’s investment in the league will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent, reports CNN.
The exact terms of Obama’s investment have not been disclosed.
In a statement, the former president wrote, “The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent.
“By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people.”
The former president’s father was from Kenya on the east of the continent.
NBA Africa’s CEO Victor Williams reportedly wants to build corporate partnerships, expand content and media rights, and support local governments seeking to build new basketball arenas.
NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams (Photo: NBA Africa)
The league is currently made up of 12 teams and games are broadcast to 215 countries and territories across the continent.
According to CNBC, 55 players in the NBA are either native Africans or first-generation immigrants from the continent. The Basketball Africa League is being viewed as a new source for scouting and developing players.
Former NBA players Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are investors in the NBA Africa league via Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation which also counts NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum on its board.
Silver shared a statement of glowing praise about the former president, writing, “We are honored that President Obama has become a strategic partner in NBA Africa and will support our wide-ranging efforts to grow the game of basketball on the continent.”
“In addition to his well-documented love for basketball, President Obama has a firm belief in Africa’s potential and the enormous growth opportunities that exist through sports. NBA Africa will benefit tremendously from his engagement.”
Former President Obama has long expressed his love for basketball, previously acknowledging that while he loved the sport, he did not possess the skills to go professional. Still, throughout his presidency, Obama often played basketball on White House grounds and even invited NBA stars like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant to go head-to-head with him.
Related Article: NBA Communication
Obama Foundation
Banking, Real Estate & Technology, Headquartered in Rwanda
Mara’s technology ventures capitalizes on the rapidly growing smartphone and internet markets creating a suite of platforms that are tailored locally.
Why Africa? “The Lion Awakes: Adventures in Africa’s Economic Miracle” by Ashish J. Thakkar is the true story of today’s Africa, one often overshadowed by the dire headlines. Traveling from his ancestral home in Uganda, East Africa, to the booming economy and (if chaotic) new democracies of West Africa, and down to the “Silicon Savannahs” of Kenya and Rwanda, Ashish J. Thakkar shows us an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists.
Mara Group & Mara Foundation
Africa Reach – An African company with investments and operations in 25 countries across the continent
Established in 1996, Mara has grown from a small computer hardware trading firm in East Africa to a multi-sector group with investments and operations spanning 25 African countries and 3 continents.
Why Africa? “The Lion Awakes: Adventures in Africa’s Economic Miracle” by Ashish J. Thakkar is the true story of today’s Africa, one often overshadowed by the dire headlines. Traveling from his ancestral home in Uganda, East Africa, to the booming economy and (if chaotic) new democracies of West Africa, and down to the “Silicon Savannahs” of Kenya and Rwanda, Ashish J. Thakkar shows us an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists.
Mara’s technology ventures capitalize on the rapidly growing smartphone and internet markets creating a suite of platforms that are tailored locally.
“The rise of the African Middle Class is expected to fuel consumption growth. This will provide a considerable opportunity to invest and meet the burgeoning demand. McKinsey projects that, by the year 2030, the top 18 cities in sub-Saharan Africa will have a combined spending power of $1.3 trillion. Africa’s retail banking sector is projected to grow 40 percent by 2020” ~The Realities of Africa. Learn More.