Junta Head, Mamadi Doumbouya, Secures Presidency in Guinea’s Contested Election

Observers say the election aimed to formalize Doumbouya’s grip on power. His victory gives him a seven-year mandate.

Mamadi Doumbouya and Wife

Guinea’s military ruler, Mamadi Doumbouya, has been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, according to provisional results released on Tuesday.

Doumbouya, who came to power in a 2021 coup, secured about 86.72% of the vote, the General Directorate of Elections announced on Tuesday. The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution, a citizens’ coalition, denounced the process as an “electoral charade.”

The election took place amid a wave of coups and military takeovers across Africa, reflecting widespread public frustration over governance failures, insecurity, and economic hardship.

His victory had been widely anticipated, as major opposition figures were either barred from running or living in exile. With much of the opposition sidelined, the fragmented field offered no serious challengers. Several opposition leaders had also urged voters to boycott the election.

Ahead of Sunday’s vote, analysts noted that Guinea’s weakened opposition virtually guaranteed Mamadi Doumbouya’s victory, viewing the election as an attempt to legitimize his rule. The election commission reported a turnout of 80.95%, though opposition groups contested that figure. Former government minister Yero Balde finished a distant second with 6.51% of the vote.

The outcome, widely expected, grants Doumbouya a seven-year mandate under a new constitution adopted in September that also lifted a prior ban on military officers seeking public office.

Analysts and opposition leaders have dismissed the vote as a bid to legitimize Doumbouya’s continued rule, pointing out that most major opposition figures were barred or in exile, while others urged a boycott.

YAME Digital Australia

Anthony Joshua, One of the Top Ten Wealthiest Black Individuals in the United Kingdom, was Involved in a Tragic Road Accident in Nigeria

No matter how rich you are individually as a Nigerian, we are all collectively poor! Very poor.

Anthony Joshua

You only realize this during emergencies. A fire breaks out, and there is no fire service. An accident happens, and there is no first aid, no ambulance, no system.

https://t.co/usmynVmh8B

The Top 10 Black Rich Profiles in the United Kingdom.

— Yame.space (@SpaceYame) December 28, 2025

Today, a world boxing champion like Anthony Joshua was involved in a car accident, and not a single ambulance showed up. Someone that rich and globally known. People gathered around him as if it were a carnival. No safety measures. No trained response. Just chaos.

Note: To enlarge the video view, use the pinch gesture or tap the blue circle on the video player.

Nigeria's road safety authority shared this image of the crash site

An accident that claimed two lives!

Last month, an aide to a sitting governor was stabbed at a political event. Somebody lifted him on his shoulder! Such a gory sight!

Still no ambulance. Not even for a governor’s aide.

That is real poverty.

In Nigeria, money does not save you in a crisis. Influence does not protect you. When it matters most, everyone is poor.

Anthony Joshua injured in Nigeria car crash that killed two team members

Makuochi Okafor, BBC Africa, Lagosand Ian Aikman

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To the rich and influential Nigerian who thinks demanding a better country is for the poor masses, one day you will understand. In an emergency, you are just as poor as the rest of us. Nigeria is poor! Poor, poor.

Rest in Peace to the dead —Ayodeji and Sina, and wishing Anthony Joshua a quick recovery.

YAME Digital Australia

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“UPDATE: January 2nd, 2026: Prosecutors on Friday charged Anthony Joshua’s driver, 46-year-old Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, with four offences at the Sagamu Magistrate Court in Nigeria, according to police sources.

The charges include causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and operating a vehicle without a valid licence.

The former heavyweight champion was hospitalized with injuries following the crash and was discharged on Wednesday.”

— Source: Nigeria Police

Joshua (center) was involved in the crash that killed his team members, including his personal trainer, Latif Ayodele (left), and strength coach, Sina Ghami (right).

Sierra Leone almost entirely axed from UK aid budget: ‘Lives of mothers and babies are at stake’

Sierra Leone, which has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, is losing tens of millions in grants for maternal and newborn health.

The Independent Report

The UK has been accused of “quietly” axing virtually all aid money to Sierra Leone, including a £35m grant for maternal and newborn health – the first example to emerge of a country losing out in the government’s plans to shrink the global development budget by 40 per cent.

The UK-funded programme to Sierra Leone was providing essential medicines and training in hospitals, as well as working to ensure access to blood and testing for preventable causes of maternal death like pre-eclampsia (a serious complication causing high blood pressure).

Run by a consortium of charities including Concern Worldwide and Helen Keller International, it will see its funding reduced from £35m to £1m by 2027, before closing.

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“Government seems blind to the global tide of change and unwilling to recognize the urgency of deep economic and institutional shifts. Instead of strengthening national institutions and preparing for the challenges ahead, our leaders remain trapped in politics, propaganda, and self‑preservation. Even as the “gravy train” approaches its last station, they continue to behave as though it will run forever,” ~ YAME Digital Australia.

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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had signaled that some countries would stop receiving aid altogether, but few details have come out so far. However, Pete Baker, deputy director of global health policy at the Center for Global Development think tank, has told The Independent that grants to countries were being cut “quite quietly behind the scenes”.

“You'd hope that they'd be willing to be more transparent around some of these cuts given that lives are at stake,” he said.

With a much smaller aid budget, the FCDO is prioritizing spending on big international funds like the global vaccine alliance Gavi and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. These funds have still received cuts, but at a smaller scale than the overall 40 per cent being sliced from the aid budget.

The government has also pledged to maintain its contribution to the humanitarian responses in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. After spending on these areas, there is little money left over to send directly to other countries in need.

Another part of the Sierra Leone grant delivered by UNICEF, which included buying in essential medicines for pregnancy and birth, will end in March - raising questions about how the government in Sierra Leone will take on the sudden expense.

UNICEF was also providing special care baby units for sick or premature newborns.

UNICEF spokesperson for Sierra Leone, Suzanne Wooster, said: “Reductions in funding for newborn and child health risk disrupting essential services at a critical time. UNICEF continues to work closely with the government of Sierra Leone and partners to mitigate impacts and safeguard gains made for children and newborns.”

“We understand there's some trade-offs there,” Mr Baker, of the Center for Global Development, said. “But this is one of the poorest countries in the world.

“It's got really terrible maternal mortality and child mortality rates”.

The FCDO was expected to publish further details of where aid cuts will fall over the next three years in the autumn, but this has been delayed – likely into next year, The Independent understands.

An FCDO spokesperson said: “The UK is committed to defending and promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and we will continue to work with international partners in support of women and girls.” But, they added, the department has been, “clear we must modernise our approach to development to reflect the changing global context”.

The UK had invested more than £187.9m into Sierra Leone’s health system over the last decade, they added.

Mr Baker said that the UK had a “long history of both leadership in global health and reasonably good transparency around some of its decision-making,” which it would be a “shame to lose”.

Sierra Leone had been “a very high priority for UK aid, and it's getting some very severe cuts,” he added. “I think that would be helpful for the public to understand”.

This article has been produced as part of The Independent’s Rethinking Global Aid project

Rachel Schraer Global Health Correspondent | Thursday 18 December 2025 12:40 GMT

June 16, 2025: A New Travel Ban is on the Horizon for Additional Countries

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“Such a move would represent another escalation of the Trump administration's aggressive stance on ‘BLACK’ immigration.”

“If only Black folks can get their act together!”

— Source: YAME Digital

A new travel ban is being proposed that could affect additional countries.

On June 16, the U.S. State Department, in an internal memo reviewed by The Washington Post, indicated that it is considering adding 36 more countries to a list that might face visa bans or other restrictions. This list includes 25 African nations, such as significant U.S. partners like Egypt and Djibouti, as well as Nigeria, along with countries in the Caribbean, Central Asia, and several Pacific Island nations.

The internal memo sets a 60-day deadline for these targeted nations to meet specific requirements; otherwise, they may face a full or partial entry ban. Such a move would represent another escalation of the Trump administration's aggressive stance on immigration.

The memo, which was signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and sent Saturday to U.S. diplomats who work with the countries, said the governments of listed nations were being given 60 days to meet new benchmarks and requirements established by the State Department. It set a deadline of 8 A.M. Wednesday for them to provide an initial action plan for meeting the requirements.

The cable was first reported by the Washington Post

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Most Read from YAME Digital:

In accordance with the presidential proclamation, the U.S. Embassy has suspended issuance of tourist, business, student, and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas (categories B, F, M, and J) to nationals of Sierra Leone and can only issue immigrant visas for immediate family members of U.S. Citizens (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) or adoption (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4) to nationals of Sierra Leone.

Trump signs proclamation to ban travel from several countries

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REUTERS: Trump administration weighs adding 36 countries to travel ban, memo says

By Humeyra Pamuk | June 16, 2025 5:44 AM EDT

WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering significantly expanding its travel restrictions by potentially banning citizens of 36 additional countries from entering the United States, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters.

Earlier this month, the Republican president signed a proclamation that banned the entry of citizens from 12 countries, saying the move was needed to protect the United States against "foreign terrorists" and other national security threats.

The directive was part of an immigration crackdown Trump launched this year at the start of his second term, which has included the deportation to El Salvador of hundreds of Venezuelans suspected of being gang members, as well as efforts to deny enrollment of some foreign students from U.S. universities and deport others.

In an internal diplomatic cable signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department outlined a dozen concerns about the countries in question and sought corrective action.

"The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days," the cable sent out over the weekend said.

The cable was first reported by the Washington Post.

Among the concerns the State Department raised was the lack of a competent or cooperative government by some of the countries mentioned to produce reliable identity documents, the cable said. Another was "questionable security" of that country's passport.

Some countries, the cable said, were not cooperative in facilitating the removal of their nationals from the United States who were ordered to be removed. Some countries were overstaying the U.S. visas that their citizens were being granted.

[1/2] U.S. President Donald Trump stands with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he prepares to depart for Hagerstown, Maryland, at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, U.S., June 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Other reasons for concern were that the nationals of the country were involved in acts of terrorism in the United States, or antisemitic and anti-American activity.

The cable noted that not all of these concerns pertained to every country listed.

"We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws," a senior State Department official said, declining to comment on specific internal deliberations and communications.

"The Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process," the official said.

The countries that could face a full or a partial ban if they do not address these concerns within the next 60 days are: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

That would be a significant expansion of the ban that came into effect earlier this month. The countries affected were Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

The entry of people from seven other countries - Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela - has also been partially restricted.

During his first term in office, Trump announced a ban on travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations, a policy that went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk Editing by Bill Berkrot

Humeyra Pamuk is a senior foreign policy correspondent based in Washington, DC. She covers the U.S. State Department, regularly traveling with the U.S. Secretary of State. During her 20 years with Reuters, she has had postings in London, Dubai, Cairo, and Turkey, covering everything from the Arab Spring and Syria's civil war to numerous Turkish elections and the Kurdish insurgency in the southeast. In 2017, she won the Knight-Bagehot fellowship program at Columbia University’s School of Journalism. She holds a BA in International Relations and an MA in European Union studies.

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“UPDATE: December 16, 2025: Complete travel shutdown for immigrants and non-immigrants extended for Sierra Leone starting 1 January 2026.”

— Source: The WHITE HOUSE — Washington

Immigrant and non-immigrant travel restrictions for Sierra Leone will be completely shut down starting January 1, 2026. This is part of a new presidential proclamation signed by President Donald J. Trump on December 16, 2025, which expands earlier travel restrictions implemented in June 2025.

""It imposes full restrictions and entry limitations on 2 countries that were previously subject to partial restrictions: Laos and Sierra Leone.""

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States

– The White House

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Sierra Leone is now under a FULL U.S. ENTRY SUSPENSION

Under Section 4(e), all immigrant and non-immigrant entries of Sierra Leonean nationals into the United States are fully suspended starting January 1, 2026.

This means:

Sierra Leoneans cannot be issued:

• Tourist visas (B-1/B-2)

• Student visas (F, M, J)

• Work visas

• Family-based immigrant visas

• Diversity Visa (Green Card lottery)

• Business visas

New visa applications will be denied by default.

Who is NOT affected (important exceptions)

You are NOT barred if you fall into one of these categories: You can still enter the U.S. if you are:

• A U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder)

• A dual national traveling on a non-Sierra Leone passport

• Already holding a valid U.S. visa issued before January 1, 2026

• Traveling on official/diplomatic visas (A, G, NATO categories)

• Part of major international sporting events

• A U.S. government employee under a special immigrant visa

• Granted a case-by-case national interest waiver (very rare)

Family reunification is effectively shut down

One of the biggest impacts is that family-based immigration is no longer broadly allowed. Even:

• Spouses

• Children

• Parents

Do not automatically qualify anymore.

The U.S. government explicitly says family ties have been used in the past for fraud and financing of illegal activity, so family visas are no longer a blanket exception.

Why Sierra Leone specifically?

The proclamation cites Sierra Leone for:

• High visa overstay rates

• ~16% for tourist visas

• ~36% for student/exchange visas (very high by U.S. standards)

• Failure to accept deported nationals consistently

• Weak civil documentation systems

• Unreliable criminal records

• Corruption and document fraud risks

In short, the U.S. says it cannot trust documents or background checks coming from Sierra Leone.

What this means economically and socially

For individuals:

• Education pathways to the U.S. are cut off

• Medical travel to the U.S. becomes nearly impossible

• Business mobility is severely restricted

• Families remain separated indefinitely

For the country:

• Loss of remittances

• Reduced educational and professional exchange

• Diplomatic strain with the U.S.

• Increased stigma for Sierra Leonean passports globally

Is this permanent?

No — but it is open-ended.

• Reviews occur every 180 days

• Restrictions can be lifted only if Sierra Leone:

• Improves civil registration (births, deaths, marriages)

• Reduces visa overstays

• Accepts deported nationals

• Strengthens document security and recordkeeping

• Cooperates fully with U.S. vetting requests

Until then, the suspension remains in force.

Practical advice for Sierra Leoneans

• Do not apply for new U.S. visas unless you clearly qualify for an exception

• If you have another nationality, use that passport

• If you already have a U.S. visa, travel before it expires

• Focus on alternative destinations (UK, Canada, Schengen, etc.)

• Expect much stricter scrutiny globally, not just from the U.S.

Bottom line (plain truth)

For Sierra Leoneans, this is effectively a U.S. travel ban — one of the harshest levels of restriction — with very limited escape routes.

RESTRICTING AND LIMITING THE ENTRY OF FOREIGN NATIONALS TO PROTECT THE SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES

President Donald J. Trump – The WHITE HOUSE

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“If we can lobby countries, mobilise enormous diplomatic effort, and secure regional support for a UN Security Council Seat, an ECOWAS Chairmanship, and the Presidency of OFLAD, then the vulnerabilities cited in the recent US immigration actions are not accidental.

Deficiencies in screening, information sharing, record-keeping, overstay tracking, and repatriation are not technical failures; they are the predictable outcome of governance choices.

We have prioritised image over institutional integrity, prestige over systems, and international visibility over domestic competence-and the consequences are now laid bare.”

— Source: ~ Basita Michael on X.

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“What a Smokescreen! Several official videos presented by the Sierra Leonean authorities regarding drug arrests.”

— Source:

‘Bolle Jos’ —Jos Leijdekkers—recognized as Europe’s most wanted drug kingpin and identified as Bio's son-in-law

The International Drug Enforcement Agencies, including Interpol and Europol, possess intelligence confirming that Jos Leijdekkers—recognized as Europe’s most wanted drug kingpin and identified as Bio's son-in-law—is currently operating from Sierra Leone.

READ the article on 'Bolle Jos' Leijdekkers

YAME Digital Australia

'Clean Your Country' —Sizzla's Message to Mama SaLone

Known for his advocacy on social justice and environmental responsibility, Sizzla did not soften his message. During his visit and on social media, he openly called on Sierra Leoneans to clean up their country. He shared an image of a waterway overwhelmed by plastic waste and captioned it with a blunt instruction to keep the place clean. His words were uncomfortable because they were accurate.

Freetown is drowning in waste. Plastic clogs gutters, fills streams, and washes straight into the ocean. Beaches that should serve as tourism assets are littered with debris. What residents have learned to ignore stood out immediately to a visitor.

Jamaica reggae artist ‘Sizzla’ message to Mama SaLone

The One Nation Reggae Festival was meant to be a cultural milestone for Sierra Leone. Organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the event promised to showcase music, heritage, and national unity. With internationally recognized Jamaican artists such as Sizzla Kalonji @SizzlaKalonji and Christopher Martin @Iamchrismartin headlining, the festival aimed to position Freetown as a serious cultural and tourism destination.

Instead, it exposed some of our most uncomfortable national failures.

What should have generated positive international attention quickly became a public embarrassment. During Christopher Martin’s performance in late November 2025, part of the stage collapsed beneath him due to a technical failure. The artist fell, required medical attention, and later cancelled scheduled performances abroad while recovering from his injuries. This was not a minor incident. It was a warning signal.

When a country invites global performers, safety is the minimum requirement. A collapsing stage reflects poor planning, weak standards, and institutional negligence. It tells artists, tourists, and investors that their well-being is not taken seriously. For a ministry tasked with promoting Sierra Leone as a safe and attractive destination, this failure was indefensible.

Yet the physical collapse of a stage was only one part of the story. The more devastating moment came from Sizzla Kalonji, whose reaction cut far deeper than any accident. Known for his advocacy on social justice and environmental responsibility, Sizzla did not soften his message. During his visit and on social media, he openly called on Sierra Leoneans to clean up their country. He shared an image of a waterway overwhelmed by plastic waste and captioned it with a blunt instruction to keep the place clean.

His words were uncomfortable because they were accurate.

Freetown is drowning in waste. Plastic clogs gutters, fills streams, and washes straight into the ocean. Beaches that should serve as tourism assets are littered with debris. What residents have learned to ignore stood out immediately to a visitor.

The scale of the problem is not anecdotal. Freetown produces more than 96,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste each year, and roughly 84 percent of it is disposed of improperly. Across Sierra Leone, plastic waste reaches approximately 130,000 tonnes annually, yet only about 5.5 percent is managed correctly. The remainder ends up in streets, waterways, and coastal ecosystems, contaminating water sources, harming marine life, and increasing flood risks.

Urban expansion has only worsened the crisis. Waste management infrastructure has failed to keep pace with population growth. Coastal communities face mounting health risks from polluted beaches and stagnant water. International organisations have repeatedly warned about the health and environmental consequences of unmanaged plastic waste in Sierra Leone. This level of neglect directly undermines tourism ambitions. No marketing campaign can compensate for rivers filled with rubbish and streets lined with refuse. Festivals and cultural events cannot succeed when the surrounding environment signals disorder and decay.

The Ministry of Tourism’s pursuit of high-profile events without addressing basic sanitation and infrastructure reveals a deeper problem of misplaced priorities. Image-building has replaced nation-building. Sizzla’s criticism should not be treated as an insult or a public relations crisis. It should be understood as a mirror.

There is, however, a narrow opportunity for change. His comments sparked volunteer-led clean-up efforts by young people across Freetown. That response shows what is possible when accountability begins, even from outside voices.

#SierraLeone does not have to remain filthy. Meaningful reform requires investment in waste collection, recycling facilities, and enforcement of anti-littering laws. Public education must address plastic use and disposal. Government ministries responsible for tourism and the environment must collaborate rather than operate in isolation.

Citizens also carry responsibility. Clean cities are not produced by policy alone. They are maintained by collective discipline and pride.

The One Nation Reggae Festival was intended to celebrate who we are. Instead, it revealed who we have allowed ourselves to become. Future festivals should take place on solid stages, in clean streets, beside clear waterways. Until then, no amount of music or branding will hide the truth. #Freetown is filthy. Acknowledging that is the first step toward change. @FCC_Freetown

Credit — SierraEyeSalone Run on ‘X’

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The behavior of some people in the community lacks decency.

Sierra Leone Government Misallocating Resources on Ineffective Initiatives

Information about Education in Sierra Leone

The so-called New Direction is continuing to head in the wrong direction. Clearly, they are misallocating resources on non-prioritized and ineffective initiatives—an utter failure.

“The FQSE initiative, launched in August 2018 by President Julius Maada Bio, aimed to improve access to education and enhance learning outcomes nationwide. However, education leaders at the meeting cited financial and administrative issues as challenges threatening its continued success.”

— Source

The start of Sierra Leone’s 2025/2026 academic year could be delayed, as the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS) and the National Council of Head Teachers (NaCOHT) have warned that they may not reopen schools unless key concerns are addressed by government authorities.

The warning follows a stakeholders’ meeting held on August 25, 2025, at the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) office in Kenema. The meeting brought together executives of CPSS, NaCOHT, and district SLTU officials, who jointly adopted nine resolutions they say are necessary to sustain the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) programme.

The FQSE initiative, launched in August 2018 by President Julius Maada Bio, was intended to improve access to education and enhance learning outcomes across the country. However, education leaders at the meeting cited financial and administrative issues as challenges threatening its continued success.

• Payment of subsidies: Government should clear outstanding subsidies for the 2nd and 3rd terms of the 2024/2025 school year and the 1st term of 2025/2026, while increasing the subsidy rate from NLe 10 to NLe 30 per pupil.

• Reinstatement of suspended teachers: Teachers removed from the payroll by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) should be reinstated and paid salaries for July and August.

• Review of BECE results: The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) should review results amid concerns that some legitimate candidates were disadvantaged.

• Clarification on WASSCE curriculum: MBSSE should issue a memo by August 30 specifying which curriculum will be used for the 2026 WASSCE exams.

• Salary adjustments: Teachers promoted to senior positions, along with principals and vice principals, should be placed on the correct salary scales.

• Performance-Based Financing (PBF): The Government should ensure timely and consistent disbursement of PBF payments.

• Promotion of school heads: Principals and head teachers currently on grade 9 should be promoted to grade 11 and placed on appropriate salary scales.

• Alternative to subsidies: If subsidies are unsustainable, the government should clear existing arrears and allow schools to collect fees directly from parents.

• Conditional reopening: Schools will not reopen on September 8 unless at least two terms’ subsidy payments and other resolutions are addressed.

Lansana Brima, Secretary of CPSS, confirmed the unions’ decision to uphold the resolutions. He stated that their stance aims to secure the credibility of the FQSE programme, not to oppose government policy.

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education has not yet issued an official response to the resolutions. If no agreement is reached, thousands of pupils may be unable to begin the new academic year as planned.

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Sierra Leone: September 5, 2025: Teachers to go on strike on the 8th September.

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“You know it looks like we are going through the stages of the plagues.”

— Source: Prof. Dr. Prince Hycy Bull | 8 September 2025

The Sierra Leone Failed Educational System: From the Athens of Africa to the ‘Bormeh’ of Africa

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“The Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union (SLTU) has suspended its strike action, and schools will reopen on September 15th for the 2025/26 school year. ”

— Source: UPDATE: September 10, 2025

Conrad Sackey, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), has confirmed that school subsidies for the first and second terms of the 2024/2025 school year have been paid.

During a weekly press conference, Sackey announced that a total of NLe 82,514,470 was disbursed as school subsidies for the first and second terms of the 2024/25 academic year, as of September 6, 2025. He further stated that the government has now fully paid the subsidies for both terms, amounting to a total of NLe 113,287,870.

He assured the Teachers’ Union that the government would clear payments for retired teachers and disburse first-term subsidies for the 2025/2026 academic year on schedule.

Concerning the issue of 4,900 teachers who were suspended from the payroll, Sackey mentioned that the Teachers' Union has identified genuine cases of affected teachers and confirmed that 1,802 of them have been reinstated. Ongoing discussions aim to address the remaining concerns raised by the SLTU. Additionally, the academic year for 2025/26 is set to begin on September 15, 2025.

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“UPDATE: December 8, 2025: ‘Are we really serious about education?’”

— Source: Human Capital Development

What is actually wrong with this current SLPP administration in Sierra Leone.. Are we really serious? Funds for festivals, but no funds for school /education subsidies.

When citizens see visible spending on political events, celebrations, or festivals while schools cannot get basic subsidies on time, it sends a message that image and entertainment matter more than classrooms.

Even if some festival funds come from different budget lines or external sponsors, leaders still choose what they fight hardest for, and the public sees that the fight is not happening with the same energy for education subsidies.

When there are repeated strikes or strike threats over unpaid subsidies and materials absent from classrooms, it shows a gap between rhetoric and delivery. A serious system would treat school subsidies and teacher conditions as non‑negotiable essentials, not as bills that can be kicked down the road while more visible things go ahead

Economic Migration

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Happy Thanksgiving from POTUS

Following the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members, President Trump, today, has ordered the federal agency responsible for managing legal immigration to the United States to conduct a comprehensive review of green card holders from what the administration describes as “countries of concern,” according to the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

When asked which nations fall under this category, USCIS referred to a presidential proclamation issued in June that lists 19 countries deemed deficient in screening and vetting procedures.

Proclamations |

June 4, 2025

Presidential Action

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Prospects are unfortunately unfavorable for Sierra Leone, since it appears on the list.

(i) According to the Overstay Report, Sierra Leone had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.43 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.83 percent. Sierra Leone has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.

(ii) The entry into the United States of nationals of Sierra Leone as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Sierra Leone to the extent permitted by law.

The key concern for many Sierra Leoneans is: What constructive measures is the ambassador taking to address the growing negative narratives about Sierra Leone, and what comprehensive strategies does the government have in place to respond to these perceptions? In this context, how is the embassy team engaging partners, stakeholders, and the wider public to promote a more balanced and positive image of the country, beyond routine participation in political events and fundraisers?

Following the Thanksgiving message from the President of the United States, Chris-Vincent Agyapong wrote:

Economic Migration

As an immigration lawyer, I have a front-row seat to a global paradigm shift. The United Kingdom's recent punitive immigration proposal was a warning shot.

Now, the United States has announced even more draconian measures, with Donald Trump explicitly targeting migration from what he terms "third-world countries."

This is not a coincidence; it is a clear signal that the West is fundamentally re-evaluating its relationship with economic migrants, particularly those perceived as a potential burden on public funds.

The political rhetoric confirms this shift. The justification for these harsh policies was laid bare in a post Trump as:

“A very Happy Thanksgiving salutation to all of our Great American Citizens and Patriots who have been so nice in allowing our Country to be divided, disrupted, carved up, murdered, beaten, mugged, and laughed at, along with certain other foolish countries throughout the World, for being ‘Politically Correct,’ and just plain STUPID, when it comes to Immigration. The official United States Foreign population stands at 53 million people (Census), most of which are on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels. They and their children are supported through massive payments from Patriotic American Citizens who, because of their beautiful hearts, do not want to openly complain or cause trouble in any way, shape, or form. They put up with what has happened to our Country, but it’s eating them alive to do so!

A migrant earning $30,000 with a green card will get roughly $50,000 in yearly benefits for their family. The real migrant population is much higher. This refugee burden is the leading cause of social dysfunction in America, something that did not exist after World War II (Failed schools, high crime, urban decay, overcrowded hospitals, housing shortages, and large deficits, etc.). As an example, hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia are completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota. Somalian gangs are roving the streets looking for “prey” as our wonderful people stay locked in their apartments and houses, hoping against hope that they will be left alone. The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, does nothing, either through fear, incompetence, or both, while the worst “Congressman/woman” in our Country, Ilhan Omar, always wrapped in her swaddling hijab, and who probably came into the U.S.A. illegally in that you are not allowed to marry your brother, does nothing but hatefully complain about our Country, its Constitution, and how “badly” she is treated, when her place of origin is a decadent, backward, and crime ridden nation, which is essentially not even a country for lack of Government, Military, Police, schools, etc.

Even as we have progressed technologically, Immigration Policy has eroded those gains and living conditions for many. I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization. These goals will be pursued to achieve a major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations, including those admitted through an unauthorized and illegal Autopen approval process. Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation. Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won’t be here for long!”

While this rhetoric is extreme and contains inflammatory positions, it resonates because it preys on real instances of system abuse. In my practice, I see this dichotomy daily. There are immense numbers of immigrants who work tirelessly and contribute economically through taxes. Yet, some validate the worst stereotypes.

I recall a colleague recounting how a client, after overstaying in the UK for six years, was granted her first 2.5 years of leave to remain. Her first question was not about how to get a National Insurance number to start working or how to enroll in a course to improve her skills. It was: "Lawyer, now that I have this, how do I remove the 'no recourse to public funds' so I can get social housing?" Her primary goal was immediate access to welfare, not self-sufficiency.

This mindset, however prevalent, is a luxury we can no longer afford. The West is tired, and the doors are closing. The only viable, long-term solution is for us to turn our energies inward. We must develop our countries, and it is imperative that more Africans consciously consider returning to contribute to this mission. We must make our nations great and prosperous in their own right.

If we do not start this urgent work now, it may be too late. The world is sending us a message, and it is one we must finally heed: our future cannot be built in their countries if we are not simultaneously building our own.

—Chris-Vincent Agyapong

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“UPDATE: December 2, 2025 | Policy Memorandum | PM-602-0192”

— Source: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Tap to Read or Download

SUBJECT: Hold and Review of all Pending Asylum Applications and all USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from High-Risk Countries

What a Smokescreen! This article responds to several official videos presented by the Sierra Leonean authorities regarding drug arrests

Photo L-R: ‘Bolle Jos’ —Jos Leijdekkers—recognized as Europe’s most wanted drug kingpin and identified as Bio's son-in-law, Alusine Kanneh, former Immigration Chief, and Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, Executive Director of the NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, SL) and Immigration Chief PRIOR.

What a smoke screen!

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The International Drug Enforcement Agencies, including Interpol and Europol, possess intelligence confirming that Jos Leijdekkers—recognized as Europe’s most wanted drug kingpin and identified as Bio's son-in-law—is currently operating from Sierra Leone.

Note: To enlarge the video view, use the pinch gesture or tap the blue circle on the video player.

He is implicated as the principal orchestrator of drug importation activities within the country.

Ongoing investigations further indicate the involvement of several corrupt officials within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) administration and certain elements of the security forces. It is anticipated that these individuals will soon face legal scrutiny and be placed on the wanted.

The investigative bodies have already identified a number of these compromised actors, and action against them is imminent.

Instead of going after the drug kingpin.

The authorities in Sierra Leone are now cracking down on news agencies and journalists in the country for highlighting the rampant drug trafficking operations conducted by organized syndicates sheltering in the country from international drug enforcement agencies.

YAME Digital

Honoring Lives Lost. Supporting the Living. Strengthening the Future of Road Safety in Sierra Leone

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2025

Every year, the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims calls the world to pause—to remember, to reflect, and to recommit.

Today, Marampa Times joins Sierra Leone and the global community in paying solemn tribute to the countless souls whose lives have been cut short on our nation’s roads. Behind every crash statistic is a grieving family, a lost dream, a community shaken, a future altered forever.

But today is also a day to recognize the courage of survivors, the resilience of families left behind, and the tireless efforts of those working daily to prevent more tragedy.

HONORING THE LEADERSHIP DRIVING CHANGE

Sierra Leone continues to make meaningful strides in improving road safety—and we must acknowledge the leadership guiding this transformation.

We commend the Government of Sierra Leone and its executive agency, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), for their commitment to a safer future for all road users. Under the dynamic leadership of James Baggison Bio, SLRSA has taken bold steps to strengthen institutional systems, enforce safety standards, and promote national consciousness on responsible road use.

We further celebrate the Executive Board Members of SLRSA, whose guidance and oversight continue to be a stabilising force in shaping the country’s road safety trajectory. Their work is not glamorous, but its impact is immeasurable—lives saved, tragedies prevented, families spared from grief.

THE UNSEEN HEROES: CIVIL SOCIETY AND THIRD SECTOR CHAMPIONS

Government action alone cannot conquer the scourge of road crashes. Sierra Leone has been blessed with dedicated civil society organisations that have refused to stand by while lives are lost.

We pay special tribute to:

• Drive Safe Alliance – Sierra Leone (DSA–SL)

• Road Safe Salone (RSSL)

These organisations continue to show extraordinary commitment—on the ground, in communities, in schools, at motor parks, and even at accident scenes.

Their advocacy, public education, and community outreach are saving lives every day. They have proven themselves dependable partners, standing firm through challenges and championing road safety when many others turned away.

We pray that the partnership between SLRSA and these Third Sector organisations continues to strengthen, for a united movement is the strongest weapon against road traffic tragedies.

A NATION IN MOURNING: REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS

Today, we bow our heads in reverence. Let us remember:

• The men and women who left home and never returned.

• The children—so innocent, so full of promise—whose lives were stolen on the roads they walk to school.

• The families forever changed: parents grieving children, children without parents, widows and widowers navigating life alone.

• The breadwinners whose deaths plunged households into poverty.

• The dedicated workers whose employers lost invaluable talent.

• The citizens whose contributions to the nation—economic, social, and civic—were abruptly silenced.

Each life lost is not just a personal tragedy but a national loss.

When a breadwinner dies, a family collapses.

When a skilled worker dies, an employer suffers.

When a tax-paying citizen dies, the state loses revenue and productivity.

When a child dies, Sierra Leone loses a future leader.

The ripple effect of road traffic incidents is deep, painful, and long-lasting.

A TIME FOR REFLECTION, A CALL TO ACTION

The memories of victims fuel the urgency of our collective mission. Their stories remind us that road safety is not a policy issue—it is a matter of life and death.

This year’s commemoration must inspire:

• Safer roads

• Stricter enforcement

• More awareness and education

• Stronger partnerships

• A national cultural shift toward responsible road use

Every life saved is a victory for Sierra Leone.

IN THEIR MEMORY, WE RISE

As we remember the fallen, let us honour them with action.

As we comfort the families, let us support them with compassion.

As we recognise the champions of road safety, let us empower them further.

As we strengthen our institutions, let us uphold accountability and collaboration.

Today, Marampa Times stands with the victims, the survivors, the families, the government, SLRSA, and the civil society champions who continue to fight this silent battle.

Let this not be a day of mourning alone, but a day of renewed commitment to protect every life on our roads.

May the souls of all who died in road traffic crashes rest in perfect peace. May those who mourn find comfort. And may Sierra Leone continue its march toward safer, more responsible roads for all.

A Marampa Times Feature – Informing, Inspiring, Advocating.

Sierra Leone has reached a settlement in principle with the U.S. law firm Jenner & Block to resolve its dispute over $8 million in allegedly unpaid legal fees

READ: The case Jenner & Block v. The Republic of Sierra Leone, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, No. 1:22-cv-03599-TSC.

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Sierra Leone and the U.S. law firm Jenner & Block have reached a settlement in principle, resolving their legal dispute over $8.1 million in allegedly unpaid legal fees related to Jenner & Block's representation of Sierra Leone in a major international arbitration case against Gerald International Ltd, which had sought over $1.8 billion in damages over an export ban.

The settlement was disclosed through a brief order issued by U.S. Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey in Washington, D.C., with no public details on the specific terms.​

Sierra Leone paid Jenner & Block $3.6 million between 2019 and late 2021, but the law firm claimed an additional $8.1 million was owed for work that was “far more complex and voluminous” than anticipated.​

Sierra Leone contested the claim, asserting that Jenner & Block had not demonstrated entitlement to more than the amount already paid, and initially argued that it was immune as a foreign sovereign; however, these arguments were rejected by a federal judge, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.​

Jenner & Block initiated the lawsuit in 2022 after failing to collect the balance it alleged was due.

The legal services in question concerned Sierra Leone’s defense against Gerald International Ltd., an iron ore contractor, leading to the settlement of the underlying case.

This settlement closes a significant legal and financial dispute for Sierra Leone and concludes Jenner & Block’s three-year effort to recover fees it claimed for international legal services.​

Representatives for Sierra Leone and Jenner & Block have not commented publicly on the specifics of the new agreement.

YAME Digital

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RELATED

Law firm Jenner sues Sierra Leone for $8 million in legal fees

Reuters: December 1, 20224:58 AM GMT+11Updated December 1, 2022

READ

There is a Clear Difference Between Serving People and Chasing a Score

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): Sierra Leone FY26

The MCC scorecard often presents a flattering picture that does not accurately reflect the daily hardships faced by Sierra Leoneans.

When compared to other low-income countries, the MCC FY2026 indicates that we are “doing well” in certain areas, such as corruption control and employment opportunities. Yes, when we are assessed against other fragile and struggling economies, we pass some indicators. However, when we measure ourselves against our own reality, our own laws, and our national development plans, we find that we are falling short.

Write-up by Basita Michael | @MichaelBasita

Yet the World Bank’s own 7th Economic Update paints a different picture: “bad spending” go unchecked, “insufficient auditing are glaring symptoms of an overall lack of transparency and poor executive accountability,” oversight is weak, the private sector is feeble, job creation stagnating, foreign reserves have plunged to 1.5 months of import cover by mid-2025 driven partly by heavy spending on overseas travel, embassies, and energy arrears, and poverty has deepened to 32.7 %; with 82 % of households food insecure.

So yes when we are graded against other fragile and struggling economies we can pass certain indicators. But when we are measured against our own reality, our own laws , our own national development plans, we are falling short.

People care about stable economy, steady jobs with fair pay, thriving private sector, reliable power and water, efficient public services, real accountability, good governance and a justice system that protects everyone-not a scorecard built on low benchmarks.

Transformative progress demands honest focus on these challenges.

Cocaine: Africa's New 'Gold Rush'

The chase for wealth becomes a perpetual game: Beneath the glittering profits, it unearths layers of violence, social and economic ruin, and systemic corruption, where illicit economies bleed into governance, with communities paying the highest price as state authority frays, livelihoods shrink, and cycles of crime deepen, all while criminal cartels jockey for footholds.

Trafficking by organized transnational networks generates substantial revenue for criminal organizations, now amounting to billions of dollars annually.

This concerning trend underscores the urgent need to address and combat these illicit operations.

Recent intercepts in Nigeria, West Africa

The ‘New Gold Rush’ highlights the enormous profits and far-reaching social and economic impacts of the cocaine trade. It has become comparable to historical gold rushes, spurring a fierce competition for wealth and power among criminal organizations. The recent interceptions in Nigeria, West Africa, show how innovative and diversified their trafficking methods are, expanding their reach.

The Nigeria Customs Service, operating at the Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) in Lagos, intercepted a substantial cocaine shipment valued at ₦29.4 billion (approximately $235 million) in November 2025.

The drugs, weighing one tonne (1,000 kilograms), were discovered in a 20-foot container (No. GCNU1332851) that had originated from Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The discovery was made during a routine disinfection process of empty containers intended for export, rather than as part of an import shipment.

The suspicious packages were initially identified by the terminal operator, who promptly notified the authorities. This led to a joint investigation by Customs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Police Anti-Bomb Squad.

No arrests have been made yet because the container arrived without a consignee or import documentation, making it one of the most mysterious interceptions in the service’s history.

The NDLEA took formal custody of the consignment on Tuesday for further investigation.

Law enforcement agencies from the US and UK have also joined the investigation to trace the origins and network behind the smuggling operation. The case marks the largest single cocaine seizure ever recorded at Tincan Island Port, Lagos, and highlights ongoing efforts to ensure port security and combat illicit drug trafficking.

Sierra Leone: When the Poor Can't Pay, They're Left to Die

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The Silent Betrayal of Sierra Leone’s Sick and Poor: When Healing becomes a privilege.

In a nation that promised Free Health Care, mothers still die in childbirth, children fade on benches, and the sick are turned away at hospital gates for lack of money. From Marampa to Makeni, caregivers have become gatekeepers— compassion replaced by cash demands.

Our hospitals are underfunded, our nurses overworked, and our government silent. The poor are not dying of disease alone - they are dying of neglect, abandonment, and the cruelty of a system what care means. When a mother must choose between feeding her child and saving her child, the nation has failed her.

Inside Sierra Leone's Hospitals and Clinics.

In a nation that once promised “Free Health Care for All,” the grim reality today tells a different story—one of neglect, frustration, and a quiet but deadly injustice unfolding daily in our hospitals and clinics. Across Sierra Leone, mothers in labor are turned away, children are left unattended, and the poor are made to feel unworthy of medical attention simply because they cannot pay.

From Marampa to Makeni, Freetown to Bo, the testimonies echo the same haunting refrain: “Go home and come back with money.” In Marampa, several mothers have shared their painful encounters—nurses refusing to touch their sick children unless “registration” or “injection” fees are paid upfront. Some have watched their loved ones fade away on hospital benches, not because there was no cure, but because there was no cash.

How did we get here? How did a nation that proudly launched the Free Health Care Initiative in 2010—a program meant to protect pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under five—become a place where care is now sold like a commodity?

The problem runs deeper than unpaid wages or insufficient drugs. It lies in a broken system where compassion has been replaced by survival instincts. Many healthcare workers, underpaid and ill-equipped, are forced to demand “extra” payments to sustain themselves. Yet, this practice strips the very meaning from the word care. What is care without empathy? What is healing when the healer has lost heart?

Government support for these healthcare centers has waned over the years. Medicines arrive late, staff are left without tools, and rural clinics operate on borrowed hope. In places like Marampa, health posts lack basic facilities—no electricity, no running water, no incubators, and no emergency transportation. Pregnant women trek for miles only to be met with closed doors or indifference.

The consequence of such neglect is catastrophic. Every time a woman is turned away during childbirth, a life hangs in the balance. Every time a child is denied treatment for malaria or pneumonia, the nation loses a future leader. Behind every unrecorded death is a system that has failed its people.

Healthcare should not be a privilege—it is a right. And yet, in Sierra Leone today, it is treated as a favour granted to those who can afford it. Our communities are losing faith in a system that once promised hope. The government must urgently revisit its commitment to public healthcare—not with speeches, but with action: funding hospitals, paying health workers, monitoring accountability, and empowering communities to report abuse.

If nothing changes, Sierra Leone will continue to bleed silently—not from war, but from indifference. The pain of the poor will remain unseen, and the promise of “Free Health Care” will remain just that—a promise, fading in the corridors of our abandoned clinics.

Credit Source: Chez Winakabs, Research and Information Consultant | Marampa Times

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RELATED

Sierra Leone Government Misallocating Resources on Ineffective Initiatives

“You know, it looks like we are going through the stages of the plagues” ~ Prof. Dr. Prince Hyce Bull.

READ

‘The Best is Yet to Come.’ Cameroon's Paul Biya at 92 Seek Re-election

“After a tense and totally transparent election marred only by widespread disbelief, 92-year-old President Paul Biya has once again proven that Cameroon’s presidency is a lifelong internship with full benefits and no awkward exit interviews.”

— Source: UPDATE: The Constitutional Council announced on October 27 that Paul Biya, now 92 years old and the world's oldest head of state, secured more than 53%—specifically about 53.66%—of the vote, extending his rule to an eighth consecutive term. His main opponent, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, garnered approximately 35% but has contested the outcome, fueling violent protests and continued unrest in several cities across the country.

The Ancestors— made in France

TRT AFRIKA deep dive into the group of powerful elders governing Cameroon, from 92-year-old President Paul Biya to his 91-year-old potential successor.

A deep dive into the group of powerful elders governing Cameroon, from 92-year-old President Paul Biya to his 91-year-old potential successor and several other top officials in their 80s. Use the Pinch gesture or tap the blue circle on the video player to enlarge the view.

Despite facing more competitors than a local bingo night, Biya secured 53% of the vote—which is roughly the same percentage of citizens who now think elections are just a biannual episode of ‘Who Wants to Be ~President~ Forever.’

Heightened tensions in Douala and other towns in Cameroon🇨🇲 ahead of Monday's official declaration of presidential results.

Paul Biya's government has detained 30 politicians affiliated to opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma, who has called for nationwide protests. pic.twitter.com/NA5naQKkSy

— Kennedy Wandera (@KennedyWandera_) October 26, 2025

His main opponent, still recovering from sprains sustained jumping to conclusions, has called the results into question, fueling violent protests and continued unrest in several cities across the country- protests that authorities described as ‘a wonderful new form of cardio for the general public.’ Meanwhile, Biya reassured the nation that his eighth consecutive term would be ‘just as exciting as the last seven—maybe with a new hat,’ and promised, ‘Temporary hardships will end soon… and permanent ones will begin.’

pic.twitter.com/QcKfsC9Qrj

— MMI News (@MimiMefoInfo) October 27, 2025

Traders at the Mokolo market in Yaoundé were taken by surprise this morning by the arrival of an anti-riot truck. Just hours before the official announcement of the presidential election results, tensions are running high.

pic.twitter.com/14Oyuq7885

— MMI News (@MimiMefoInfo) October 27, 2025

Cameroonians taken to the streets to express their discontent after the Constitutional Council proclaimed the presidential election results. In the Makepe Missoke neighborhood of Douala, Issa Tchiroma Bakary is being celebrated.

pic.twitter.com/pJFSVSjrnf

— MMI News (@MimiMefoInfo) October 27, 2025

DOUALA, CAMEROON: An elderly man, overwhelmed by grief, broke down in tears upon hearing that President Paul Biya had been declared the winner for another seven years in office.

Biya you're 92, and still want to rule the country for another 8 years? After ruling for 42 years!! What level of wickedness is this?

How can one not feel the profound despair? Free Cameroon !!

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, opposition presidential candidate, speaks, 'We will not back down!' Listen.

October 28, 2025

Use the Pinch gesture or Tap the blue circle on the video player to enlarge the view

END UPDATE

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“Cameroonians’ Shadows: 92-Year-Old Biya Crowned Again, France the Hand Unseen.”

— UPDATE: Monday, October 13, 2025

On Sunday, October 12, Cameroon turned its eyes to the polls as 92-year-old Paul Biya, the world’s oldest sitting head of state, sought an unprecedented eighth term in office. This election, far from a mere democratic exercise, bore the marks of a deeply entrenched system where power is less won than preserved.

Biya’s reign, now spanning over 43 years, is not just an extension of tenure but a reinstatement supported by layers of influence, old and new. While the ballots crept across the polling stations, an invisible hand—one many allege belongs to France—guided the processes behind the scenes. Biya is not simply reelected; in truth, he is reinstated by the enduring legacy and ongoing influence of the former colonial power.

Despite a crowded field of nine candidates, the opposition was fragmented, and several key challengers, including the prominent Maurice Kamto, were barred from contesting, their political hopes stifled by the Constitutional Council. This court, dominated by Biya’s allies, dismissed appeals and petitions that might have weakened the incumbent’s grip. The electoral system itself—designed to ensure victory for the candidate with the most votes—was a fortress built to preserve the status quo.

The official results are to be announced by the Constitutional Council within 15 days, a body charged with confirming the outcome in a process heavily tilted in favor of the incumbent.

In this theater of political farce, the election was less a choice and more a reiteration of a political saga scripted decades ago. The nation's youth, with a median age of 18, question a future where power circulates among the old guard while real change seems an echo too faint to grasp.

—The continuation of a reign long sustained by division, suppression, and foreign endorsement.

“There are reports of both sides claiming victory amidst political tensions.”

— Source: OCTOBER 14, 2025: UPDATE

The claim that Cameroonians have voted their 92-year-old president out of power after 43 years has not been officially confirmed.

While Cameroon's opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has claimed victory in the presidential election held on October 12, 2025. He has called on President Paul Biya, who is 92 years old and has been in power for 43 years, to concede. However, the official election results have not yet been released.

The Independent Elections Cameroon body and the Constitutional Council have not announced formal results, which are expected to be declared by October 26 at the latest.

President Biya's party has rejected the opposition's claim, and government officials have warned that only the Constitutional Council can officially declare the winner.

Angry Cameroonians protest over security forces around the residence of the opposition leader.

pic.twitter.com/kj62pMcqHp

— Typical African (@Joe__Bassey) October 12, 2025

Cameroon is rich in a variety of minerals, including bauxite, iron ore, gold, diamonds, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and rare earth elements. Although many of these resources remain undeveloped, they hold significant potential for economic growth, which the people of Cameroon are unlikely to benefit from.

END UPDATE

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Seriously folks! No joking around.

Cameroon's President Paul Biya, 92

At 92 years old, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, officially announced his intention to seek re-election. His campaign slogan— "The Best is Yet to Come." Imagine, after 43 years in power.

Biya has governed Cameroon since 1982 and is set to run yet again for an 8th term. He is already one of Africa’s longest-ruling presidents, behind only Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Nguema.

In July 2025, after months of speculation, he confirmed in a tweet that he would run again.

He is running for re-election in the presidential election in Cameroon scheduled for 12 October 2025.

In a move that has shocked few but stirred fresh debate about the state of democracy in Central Africa, a leader who, if successful, could see himself remain in power until he is nearly 100 years old.

His campaign message, shared via social media, emphasizes his ongoing determination: "Much remains to be done! The best is yet to come." This announcement comes after months of speculation about his health, particularly following several lengthy public absences last year.

Biya’s continued rule has been characterized by intimidation, the preservation of elite privileges, and a strong grip on political institutions. The party system and the absence of term limits—eliminated in 2008—have facilitated prolonged leadership.

Biya rarely makes public appearances and is believed to have delegated significant authority to top aides, prompting internal debates about succession. Recent defections of long-time ministers signal tensions within his coalition, while opposition and religious groups increasingly call for new leadership. Nonetheless, elite rallies and party activities continue to support Biya’s re-election.

Many Cameroonians, especially youth, over 36% of the population under 18, express doubts about meaningful change and cite issues such as unemployment and poverty. Opposition parties remain fragmented, with some candidates and civil society groups advocating for regime change, but many express frustration over the entrenched political system.

Despite having abundant resources, Cameroon faces several ongoing challenges, including a heavy reliance on foreign aid, corruption, and persistent human rights issues.

Observers suggest that President Biya's hold on power has hindered both economic and democratic development. His bid for re-election raises significant uncertainty about the country's future trajectory.

Western countries and organizations have largely refrained from direct intervention or public criticism regarding Biya's candidacy. France, Cameroon’s former colonial power, has lost much of its regional influence and has not made any strong statements about Biya’s position.

Similarly, the United States has shown limited interest and has avoided applying noticeable pressure on Biya’s regime. The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) struggles with its own internal crises and the prevalence of entrenched regimes within its member states, which undermines its credibility to challenge Biya.

Human rights and advocacy groups have become increasingly vocal. Amnesty International, along with other observers, has criticized the Cameroonian government for its authoritarian practices and the recent imprisonment of activists, condemning President Biya's administration for suppressing dissent.

Prominent lawyers, such as Felix Agbor Nkongho, have advocated for a transition to new leadership that genuinely reflects the aspirations of the people, explicitly rejecting the notion of a perpetual incumbent.

Much of the international media coverage frames Biya’s candidacy as symptomatic of broader problems in African politics, particularly the tendency of “old guard” leaders to maintain power at the expense of democratic renewal.

BBC and DW report growing international and domestic demands for Biya to step aside, citing concerns over his age, health, and the lack of opportunities for Cameroon's youth.

Media outlets stress the risks of instability and potential electoral violence, especially given Cameroon's internal conflicts and widespread dissatisfaction with governance.

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

Bank of England Finance Chief, Afua Kyei, Leads the 2026 Powerlist

Afua Kyei leads the 2026 Power List, which celebrates Black role models in business, science, technology, and the arts. She is currently recognized as the most influential Black person in the UK.

Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at the Bank of England

As the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at the Bank of England, Kyei oversees the governance of its £1 trillion balance sheet and advocates for diversity and family support within the financial sector.

Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Kyei's family emigrated from Ghana to the UK while her parents were university students, where they settled and established their careers.

She attended Old Palace School, a private secondary school for girls in Croydon.

She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from Somerville College, Oxford University, and was awarded a junior research fellowship in organic chemistry at Princeton University.

She trained as a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young in London, a step that logically follows her return to the UK after her studies.

Afua Kyei is married and has four children. She has spoken openly about the challenges and inspirations of balancing family and a senior leadership career, highlighting the Bank of England’s support for working parents.

Kudos to all progressives of African descent.

YAME Digital

KUSH Related Deaths: When a Ministry Responds with Suspicion Instead of Empathy, Solidarity, or Urgency

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… It tells you governance has lost its heart and soul.

If our institutions cannot show compassion and rise to the grief and pain of the families and communities shattered by the kush crisis, then for the love of God, they must stop adding salt to injury.

Ministry of Local Government & Community Affairs Request for evidence— Kush-related deaths

A national emergency has already been declared by His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, on 4 April 2024 under the Drug and Substance Abuse Public Emergency Response Regulations, 2024.

If, in spite of this, communications are still failing to reflect the scope and seriousness of the crisis and government officials believe it is acceptable to be making statements that undermine the very Public Emergency declared by no less a person than His Excellency, the President, then that unprecedented constitutional problem is between those officials and the President himself.

It is for His Excellency to decide what to do about those watering down his Public Emergency proclamation.

But moving on, for the love of God, those still denying the scale and rate at which people are dying from the kush disaster, yet occupying key positions, it’s high time they keep their denial to themselves and stop making heartless statements that not only offend the intelligence of people but also their humanity.

To mock the dead is to make cynics of the living.

The Bio-SLPP administration touts building a stronger, smarter youth, yet Kush-related deaths read like an unofficial census of the nation's most 'developed' human capital losses.

Is the Bio government nurturing future leaders or just curating the ultimate Kush casualty? Some words of reflection from Prof. Dr. Prince Hycy Bull in ‘The Real Crisis We Ignore.’

The Real Crisis We Ignore: “Homelessness, drug abuse, orphans, poor health, and unemployment — these are not just statistics; they are the leading causes of death on the streets of Freetown.

If we cared for our people with even half the passion we show for politics and political parties, Sierra Leone would know true peace and prosperity.

Our nation suffers not because of a lack of potential, but because we have misplaced our priorities. Too often, we care only about ourselves, our politics, and what we can gain — forgetting the heart and soul of our nation: the poor, the vulnerable, the forgotten.

It is time to turn our love for politics into love for people. Only then can we rebuild Sierra Leone with dignity, compassion, and unity. “

In an ironic twist worthy of a dark comedy, if there are any youths left to be governed.

Video Courtesy: Use the Pinch gesture or Tap the blue circle on the video player to enlarge the view

Poet George Edwin, in the Poem "Kush —To Heal —Despair?"

Is this how you should get your living

To kill humanity in the living?

With a spate of leg ulcers piling

And with the show of indifference very telling

And irreversible addiction from one generation to another, spilling

While death and life are busy bargaining as to the fate of the living

Right in the eyes of their Mummies, you make them walk on their tummies

As they sleepwalk, they thrust dagger into their homies

Yet charged to court to answer to charges, even as zombies

And the puppies blamed for the bite of the bulldogs

To the material proceeds the society gives warm hugs

Even as the future stands to face many clogs

Shelves of pharmacies now relish holding anti youthful drugs

Drugs that lay wrinkled youngsters flat on unpaved floors like public rugs

And treat them like public bedbugs

For your living, you sell dope instead of hope

But just know that you're leaving for your children a tug of war on a tiny rope

And that any prayers for them from the Vatican will boomerang on the Pope

And as you suck out life from the living for your living scope

You narrow your pathway down this steep, dark slope

Yet you argue that you push Kush down the throats of youths to heal their despair

Hopelessness, irony, or disillusionment.

Something has gone so woefully wrong socially, politically, and environmentally that the next generation—young people, the youths—might no longer be around in society.' Sierra Leone! The collapse.

**Footnote:** A special thank you to the contributors.

Basita Michael ‘When a Ministry reacts not with empathy, solidarity, or urgency but with suspicion and administrative threats.’

Prof. Dr. Prince Bull ‘The Real Crisis We Ignor’

Poet George Edwin, in the Poem ‘Kush —To Heal —Despair?’

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UPDATE: 21 October 2025, 2:34 PM EST | From the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr

“Instead of offering support, the readout request for supporting data for kush-related death from the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Local Governance and Community Affairs, Bai Thuray, read like a political stunt at a time when the government needs a coordinated effort to provide services to its citizens, including the dead.”

— 21 Oct 2025, 2:34 PM EST | UPDATE from the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr

Upon request from the Local Government, the Mayor of Freetown has provided evidence of its claim in a spreadsheet with the name, sex, date collected, area, photo reference, and cemetery burial disposition of the dead found across Freetown from 7 January 2025 to 8 October 2025.

Additionally, the Mayor announced that the Freetown City Council will no longer be responsible for collecting the deceased individuals. If the Local Government wants to secure a pathologist to examine the bodies and confirm deaths related to kush, the FCC will assist in locating the corpses.

END UPDATE

YAME Digital

LDEA Seizes Over US$112,000 Worth of Tramadol at Bo Waterside Border

BO WATERSIDE, Grand Cape Mount County — The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has intercepted and seized a major consignment of the controlled substance Tramadol, valued at more than US$112,000, at the Bo Waterside Port of Entry.

According to the LDEA, the seizure was made around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025, following intelligence-led operations. Officers discovered 1,067 packs of Tapentadol (Tramadol) hidden inside two white slippers bags belonging to Mohammed M. Sheriff, a 38-year-old Liberian traveling from Freetown to Monrovia.

Authorities estimate the street value of the confiscated drugs at US$112,315.78, equivalent to approximately L$21.3 million.

The LDEA credited the successful bust to enhanced border surveillance and technical training provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

“This interception represents another major victory in our ongoing fight against cross-border drug trafficking,” the agency said in a statement. “We remain committed to safeguarding Liberia’s borders and protecting our communities from the devastating effects of illicit drugs.”

The suspect is currently in custody as the investigation continues.

By Taisiah Merfee | October 13, 2025

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RELATED

“Fadima Savage to Maada Bio: Kush and other drugs are killing our people in Sierra Leone. President Bio, please say something and take action.

I stand with Lamrana Bah! Violence against our journalists is unacceptable.”

— Source: October 14, 2025

Use the Pinch gesture or Tap the blue circle on the video player to enlarge the view.

Viral video from Sierra Leone shows two boys, believed to be around 12 years old, fighting late at night over kush as if it were candy. In the clip, the children argue intensely about the missing drug, while shocked voices in the background react with disbelief and concern#kush pic.twitter.com/e2QHhENyhs

— Yame.space (@SpaceYame) October 16, 2025

Harry Leijdekkers, Brother of the Netherlands Fugitive Drug Kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, Re-arrested in Türkiye

According to Dutch and Belgian publications, the brother of fugitive drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, 'Bolle Jos,' identified as Harry Leijdekkers, 49, was re-arrested in Turkey in May 2025, suspected of money laundering linked to Bolle Jos's drug trafficking organization.

Turkish authorities released photos of Alleged Abdullah Alp Üstün and drug organized crime group member Hasan Lala, who were captured in the United Arab Emirates with Sierra Leone Diplomatic passports, according to sources.

Harry Leijdekkers was detained in Turkey following an extradition request from the Netherlands.

The older brother of the wanted cocaine trafficker, Bolle Jos Leijdekkers. Harry Leijdekkers is expected to be extradited to the Netherlands soon, according to well-informed sources. He was scheduled to serve an 18-month prison sentence for weapons possession from a 2019 conviction.

Harry was arrested in Turkey in December 2023 during a manhunt for Bolle Jos. He was unexpectedly released from custody by a judge in April. However, after an objection from the Turkish public prosecutor, he has now been recaptured while awaiting extradition to the Netherlands, according to sources from a newspaper.

The Dutch authorities have been searching for Jos Leijdekkers, also known as 'Bolle Jos,' for several years. He is believed to be under the protection of high-ranking corrupt government officials and security forces in Sierra Leone and has been photographed at official events there. Leijdekkers is considered a significant figure in the international cocaine trade and was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison for drug trafficking last year, along with members of his organization.

The West African country has become a prominent narco-state, covering up for an international cocaine trafficker.

According to 'AD' and 'Follow the Money,' Bolle Jos is in a relationship with the president of Sierra Leone's daughter and is believed to have had a child with the daughter.

Struggling to Find Work! It Seems Like You Can't Get a Job

New Zealand is offering the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV).

High-skilled seasonal work visa for New Zealand, effective from December 8, 2025, for operational peak seasons.

The visa is valid for up to 3 years, allowing returning seasonal workers to build long-term employment relationships in New Zealand while requiring them to spend at least 3 months outside the country each year.

New Zealand Global Impact Work Visa Application

Visa targets professionals across multiple seasonal industries: agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and outdoor recreation. No Labour Market Test or English language requirement needed for this visa.

The visa pathway is part of New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework to meet workforce demands during peak seasonal periods.

There is no explicit nationality eligibility list for the GWSV; it is open to global applicants who can meet the role requirements and employer accreditation.

Required Documents:

• Proof of a valid job offer from an accredited employer.

• Identity documents, such as a valid passport that shows nationality.

• Evidence of having worked in relevant seasonal roles for at least 3 seasons in the past 6 years.

• Health and character certificates meeting New Zealand's immigration standards.

• Role verification documents confirming the seasonal skilled role.

• Relevant health checks.

• Any other documents supporting the visa application under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework.

For information on the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) to New Zealand, visit HERE.

For documentation and relevant information about New Zealand Immigration, visit HERE.

Download or View the Sample Document:

Sierra Leone: When the Head of the Fish Rotten, the Whole Body Spoils

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Sierra Leone stands as a tragic masterpiece in the gallery of failed governance—a living proverb of what happens when the head of the fish is rotten and the rot infects every organ, fin, and scale of national life. The government, from its glitzy presidential lodges right down to the most junior official stamping forms on a rusted desk, models a form of corruption so normalized that it would be called tradition if it weren’t so plainly a crime.

The empty vows to fight the ‘cancer’ of corruption ring hollow against the evidence: the media who report on high-level graft are arrested, anti-corruption drives become circuses of accountability without consequence, and each new scandal is met by the same exhausted chorus of official denials and citizens’ shrugs.

A National Unity of Shrugs

From the president’s office down to the traffic police post, there appears to be a rare sense of unity: everyone agrees corruption is bad—especially when it’s someone else’s. Government agencies now outdo each other announcing new reforms, holding press conferences to declare they will ‘root out the rot,’ then promptly forget where the root is buried.

In the game of complicit governance, transparency and reform are whispered like superstitions, never allowed to threaten the real rites of power—patronage, bribery, kickbacks, and the eternal reinvention of mechanisms for funneling public cash into private pockets.

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Most Read from YAME Digital: SIERRA LEONE

A billionaire bubble that bursts the moment you try to price something. Anything!

Behold, the land where one billion makes you rich on paper, but in real life, you’re still hustling for small change at Lumley Beach.

READ

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Look at the hospital that lacks basic equipment, the roads that kill, the schools that fail, and witness how every noble promise about a ‘New Direction’ drowns in that familiar, slimy gloom.

Sierra Leone’s real statecraft is not about law or vision, but about extracting rents, ensuring loyalists are fed along the gravy train, and expanding ministries as a bloated reward for political allegiance.

When the President is always flying, who’s left to keep schools open? Let’s not overlook the education system in Sierra Leone.

The country's financial resources function like a personal ATM for the first family and their cronies.

Bio has perfected the art of frequent flyer miles as his nation’s classrooms remain overcrowded, underfunded, and gasping for air.

Education here is being starved deliberately, sabotaged by neglect so profound it has become ordinary. Sierra Leonean schools are running on fumes, and everyone knows it. Principals organize National Agendas not to inspire, but to plead year after year: the government’s ‘Free Education Scheme’ yields a staggering ten Leones per primary school child, a sum as laughable as it is tragic.

Chalk, the symbol of learning, is rationed like a luxury commodity.

Delays in payments are routine, support staff disappear, and tens of thousands of students are barred from exams. ‘Free’ education is just a slogan—schools are systematically starved by neglect, leaving children’s futures sacrificed to a system where hope is as scarce as funding.

Biting editorial column: After all, if the whole fish is spoiled, at least everyone gets a bite.

Meanwhile, ninety-nine percent of the citizens continue the grand national pastime of enduring. Some have even opened small side businesses selling laminated resignation letters for public officials—now portable, reusable, and available in ‘temporary exile’ or ‘redeployed” editions’

This is a society where even ‘anti-corruption’ has become a sort of dark theater—a demonstration not of virtue, but of the ruling class's ability to outmaneuver, out-hire, and outlast each wave of scrutiny. Each time a fresh committee is launched or another speech is made, it is not reform, but the ritual performance of accountability for the benefit of the one-percent donor class.

Those with power continue to prosper, shielded by the inertia of a worn-out citizenry resigned to enduring more of the same.

Sierra Leone is proof that when the head rots, the rot does not stop at the gills. It flows downward, suffocating dignity, opportunity, and hope. And as long as the fishmongers parade the same spoiled catch to market, the stench is everyone’s to bear.

YAME Digital 'All Rights Reserved'

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RELATED

**Governance Failure: —What Past and Present Paopa’s and the Tologbos Have Failed to Achieve**

In Video: Here, a free medical screening event for the elderly, organized by Mohamed Sheik Kamara, known as ‘Jagaban,’ to commemorate the International Day of Older Persons, was abruptly canceled by the Sierra Leone Police— the use of state power by the SLPP to stifle and disrupt reflects a broader pattern of neglect for the health, welfare, and rights of the majority of the population, often referred to as the ninety-nine percent. This incident adds to a series of disruptions faced by Jagaban’s initiatives. Earlier this year, SLP also halted the groundbreaking ceremony for a proposed motorbike assembly plant, citing similar reasons. The harassment shows the depth of a political system that has repeatedly failed the citizens of Sierra Leone.

Note: To enlarge the view, use the pinch gesture or tap the blue circle on the video player.

The absurdity: A ‘High Horse Directives’ or ‘Cloud Commandments.’ The phrase ‘orders from above’ is a recurring theme commonly used in Sierra Leone to describe directives allegedly coming from the highest political authorities, such as the State House or leadership.

It’s strikingly ironic that, at a recent town hall meeting in Washington, DC, with the Sierra Leonean diaspora following the United Nations General Assembly in late September 2025, President Bio urged citizens living abroad to return home and share their expertise for the betterment of Sierra Leone.

Imploring to leverage their experiences and knowledge for national development, yet the actions by the SLP, with ‘orders from above,’ highlight the absurdity. It reveals a troubling inconsistency in his leadership approach.

If the president genuinely values their contributions, he must create a welcoming environment conducive to their return and involvement in nation-building, regardless of party line. Otherwise, those statements must have come from the ‘wrong side’ of Bio’s mouth for him to say.