Netherland's Most Wanted Cocaine Kingpin Hiding in Sierra Leone
NAIROBI/THE HAGUE, Jan 24 - One of Europe's most wanted fugitives, convicted cocaine smuggler Jos Leijdekkers, has found refuge and high-level protection in Sierra Leone, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter as well as photos and video footage seen by Reuters. The images and accounts shed fresh light on the role of the West African nation, which international law enforcement officials say is a transshipment point for large volumes of Latin American cocaine headed to Europe. Leijdekkers, also known as ‘Bolle Jos’, is on Europol's list of most wanted fugitives.
Sources: ReutersUPDATED: 7 March 2025: Chief Immigration Officer Alusine Kanneh was sacked and replaced. Expand the article to read the updated information.
Jos Leijdekker
Convicted cocaine smuggler
“Chief Immigration Officer Alusine Kanneh was sacked and replaced. Kanneh is under scrutiny after being identified in a video alongside Jos Leijdekkers, the convicted Dutch drug lord believed to be operating a Narco Hub and Distribution Center in Sierra Leone. The appointment effectively terminates his services.”
The video footage captures a scuffle involving Jos Leijdekkers, also known as 'Bolle Jos,' at Freetown's Scarlet Nightclub in early 2023, alongside a businessman. Kanneh is also visible in the video.
LATEST: Sierra Leone Cocaine Saga: Umaru Fofanah ~ BBC News
“KEY UPDATE: Dutch Prosecution Office”
Jos Leijdekkers, aka Bolle Jos (chunky Jos)
The International Dragnet —WANTED
Dutch public prosecution office has confirmed that the Netherlands’ most wanted drugs criminal Jos Leijdekkers, aka Bolle Jos (chunky Jos), is hiding out in Sierra Leone following reports by investigative platform Follow the Money and the AD.
Leijdekkers (33), who is both on the national and the international Europol most wanted list, was sentenced to 24 years in jail in 2024 for organizing six drug transports comprising some 7,000 kilos of cocaine and for commissioning a murder.
He is also thought to be involved in the disappearance and murder of drug crime linchpin Naima Jilal, whose dead and tortured body was found on a phone impounded during the Marengo investigation.
Who is Jos Leijdekkers (Bolle Jos)
Meet Europe's most wanted drug kingpin and fugitive, Jos Leijdekkers, also known as 'Bolle Jos' (Chunky Jos).
During a recent press conference, Information Minister Chernor Bah indirectly acknowledged the presence of an individual known by the alias Umar Sheriff in Sierra Leone. This individual Jos Leijdekkers, a notorious drug kingpin and fugitive from Europe is also referred to as 'Bello Jos' or 'Chunky Jos' and is believed to have several other aliases. Private Investigative reports indicate that he first entered Turkiye on July 4, 2020, using a German passport under the alias 'Daniel Ernst.'
Multiple investigative agencies suspect that the wanted individual, Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers, possesses a German passport and a Turkiye ID under the name Daniel Ernst. The investigation has revealed that he has been in Sierra Leone since 2022.
The dragnet is tightening. Investigators are uncovering the various identities of Joseph Johannes Leijdekker, also known as 'Bolle Jos,' for a specific reason—the takedown.
REUTERS: Netherlands asks Sierra Leone to extradite cocaine kingpin
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Exclusive: European cocaine kingpin has high-level protection in Sierra Leone-sources: Reuters
By David Lewis, Stephanie van den Berg and Reade Levinson | January 24, 20255:14 PM EST Updated 17 hours ago
Europol headquarters is pictured in The Hague, Netherlands, November 25, 2019. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
NAIROBI/THE HAGUE, Jan 24 - One of Europe's most wanted fugitives, convicted cocaine smuggler Jos Leijdekkers, has found refuge and high-level protection in Sierra Leone, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter as well as photos and video footage seen by Reuters.
The images and accounts shed fresh light on the role of the West African nation, which international law enforcement officials say is a transshipment point for large volumes of Latin American cocaine headed to Europe.
Leijdekkers, who is Dutch, was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison on June 25 by a Rotterdam court for smuggling more than 7 tonnes of cocaine. Dutch police have said he was believed to be living in Turkey until recently.
A spokesperson for the Dutch prosecutor's office told Reuters on Friday in response to questions about his whereabouts that he has been living in Sierra Leone for at least six months. Two of the sources who were aware of the situation said Leijdekkers had been in Sierra Leone since at least early 2023.
photos of a church mass in Sierra Leone on Jan. 1, 2025 show Leijdekkers, 33, sitting two rows behind Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio, next to a woman
"It is the highest priority of police and prosecutors to get him to the Netherlands to serve his sentence. We are doing everything we can in that regard," Dutch prosecutors' office spokesman Wim de Bruin said, declining further comment.
Reuters was not able to reach Leijdekkers. The Dutch judges who convicted him noted in their court ruling that he did not mandate an attorney to put forward a defense on his behalf in court. Guy Weski, the lawyer who last represented Leijdekkers in the Netherlands did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Videos and photos of a church mass in Sierra Leone on Jan. 1, 2025, show Leijdekkers, 33, sitting two rows behind Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio, next to a woman.
Reuters identified Leijdekkers by using five different facial recognition tools to compare the man at the church, as seen in a video and images on Facebook and in another video on YouTube, with photos of Leijdekkers released by Europol in 2022. The tools all determined they were a match, ranging between 82 - 98% confidence.
The three sources said the woman was Bio's daughter Agnes and that Leijdekkers was married to her. Reuters could not confirm the relationship. Agnes Bio did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent to her email and her social media accounts. The mass was held at St Joseph's Catholic Church in the president's hometown of Tihun, in southern Sierra Leone.
The three sources said Leijdekkers has high-level protection in Sierra Leone, where they said he frequently spends time. The sources declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. Sierra Leone's Information Minister and Government Spokesperson Chernor Bah did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent to him via WhatsApp.
MOST WANTED
Leijdekkers is on Europol's list of most wanted fugitives. [click the most wanted to view Europol’s most wanted fugitive.]
In a Sept. 4 update on the wanted notice for him, Dutch police said he was "one of the key players in international cocaine trafficking." They said the 7,000 kg of confiscated cocaine shipments that were behind his 2024 conviction were likely a fraction of his business.
Citing intercepted communications, Dutch police said that Leijdekkers "has probably been laundering tens of millions of euros and hundreds of kilos of gold that may have been earned from the cocaine trade". Reuters has no independent evidence to confirm that.
Over the last two decades, West Africa has become a major transit point for large volumes of cocaine being smuggled from Latin America to Europe, recording a number of large seizures of the drug.
Last year, members of a UK-based crime group were imprisoned for trying to smuggle 1.3 tonnes of cocaine, worth 140 million pounds, into the UK from Sierra Leone. Reuters could not establish if Leijdekkers was involved in the deal.
Dutch prosecutors have offered a 200,000-euro ($210,000) reward for tips that lead to the arrest of Leijdekkers, the highest ever for any Dutch fugitive.
($1 = 0.9513 euros)
The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.Reporting by David Lewis in Nairobi, Stephanie van der Berg in The Hague, Reade Levinson and Filipp Lebedev in London, editing by Silvia Aloisi and Philippa FletcherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.Feel free to post your comments in the ‘Post Comment’ section.“Words of caution: Those traveling to/from Sierra Leone at any time. It’s a zoo out there. Be careful. Stay alert.”
“Bio’s administration through the Ministry of Information issued a statement regarding the Dutch cocaine kingpin, Jos Leijdekkers, also known as ‘Bolle Jos,’ who is in hiding in Sierra Leone.”
FREETOWN: Sunday, January 26, 2025 — Sierra Leone's Ministry of Information announced on Sunday that it is investigating media reports suggesting that European cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers is present in the country and receiving high-level protection. The ministry also stated that the government has not received any formal communication regarding Leijdekkers from any state or institution. He further stated that they are committed to ensuring the country does not become a sanctuary for organized crime.
“Europol identifies Dutch Drug Kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, also known as ‘Bolle Jos’, with many aliases.”
Leijdekkers in Europol's list of most wanted fugitives [click the most wanted to view Europol’s most wanted fugitive.]
THE INVESTIGATION: A coalition of international crime agencies, including the Dutch Police, Europol, Interpol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is leading the investigation and uncovering the truth at every turn.
The crime agencies have expanded their dragnet to include officials and associates involved in the cover-up of the Bolle Jos case and Mr. Alimamy Bangura, the ambassador to Guinea implicated in diplomatic missions' cocaine trafficking.
Tag: #USEmbassyFreetown
Meaningful Change Does Not Always Require Financial Resources
Ishmeal Alfred Charles, the driving force behind the Sick Pikin Project, recently shared his vision in an exclusive interview with Awoko Newspaper. He expressed a strong desire to serve as an ambassador—not in the traditional political sense—but as a representative of Sierra Leone on the global stage, dedicated to humanitarian efforts, particularly in advocating for healthcare. As part of his broader vision, he urges the government to require mining companies to allocate a percentage of their royalties to emergency healthcare for children.
Courtesy: Ishmeal Alfred Charles
Ishmeal Alfred Charles
Founder of Sick Pikin Project
Ishmeal Alfred Charles, the driving force behind the Sick Pikin Project, recently shared his vision in an exclusive interview with Awoko Newspaper. He expressed a strong desire to serve as an ambassador—not in the traditional political sense—but as a representative of Sierra Leone on the global stage, dedicated to humanitarian efforts, particularly in advocating for healthcare.
As part of his broader vision, he calls on the government to mandate that mining companies allocate a percentage of their royalties to emergency healthcare for children—this would create a sustainable system to address urgent medical needs and strengthen Sierra Leone’s overall healthcare sector.
“If I were an ambassador to a country like India, I would focus on developing a modular hospital system in Sierra Leone. This initiative would greatly reduce the need for families to seek medical care abroad. My vision is to ensure that every Sierra Leonean has access to affordable, quality healthcare.”
He emphasized the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which means "I am because you are," as a guiding principle for national development. "We need to create a society where people help one another simply because it is the right thing to do."
He encourages Sierra Leoneans to embrace a culture of selflessness and collective progress. There is an urgent need for transformative leadership and a commitment to social responsibility in Sierra Leone, especially in support of our most vulnerable populations. It's important to understand that driving meaningful change does not always require large financial investments. Even simple acts of kindness, such as fetching water for an elderly neighbor, can have a profound impact.
Courtesy: ABOUT: Ishmeal Alfred Charles for Sick Pikin Project [click to visit website]
They Were Simply Doing Their Jobs
ICASL cleared both the Former Auditor-General and her Deputy of wrongdoing. The Auditor-General, Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce, and the Deputy Auditor-General, Mr. Tamba Momoh of the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), were simply doing their jobs. According to the ICASL, Taylor-Pearce and Mr. Momoh "acted in the public's best interest, upheld professional standards, and adhered to international auditing standards and guidelines."
Theo Edwards for YAMEICASL cleared both the Former Auditor-General and her Deputy of wrongdoing. The Auditor-General, Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce, and the Deputy Auditor-General, Mr. Tamba Momoh of the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), were simply doing their jobs.
Suspended Auditor-General Lara Taylor-Pearce, and her Deputy, Mr. Tamba Momoh
According to the ICASL, Mrs. Taylor-Pearce and Mr. Momoh "acted in the public's best interest, upheld professional standards, and adhered to international auditing standards and guidelines."
Key Takeaways
- Statement from the ICASL Review Board: "They were fully committed to their responsibilities and executed their roles with integrity."
- Former Auditor-General Mrs. Taylor-Pearce and her Deputy Mr. Tamba Momoh "acted in the public's best interest."
- The ICASL review adhered to internationally recognized auditing standards specifically the International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI), ensuring transparency and credibility.
The Tribunal’s interpretation reports reflect a lack of understanding of standard audit procedures.Auditor-General Responds to Tribunal Report Raises Concerns Over Findings and ProcessMany Sierra Leoneans were deeply troubled by the President's recommendation to remove from office the suspended Auditor General, Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce, and her deputy, Tamba Momoh. This decision is being criticized for lacking legitimacy and ignited significant public outrage.Deception in Politics: President Bio Orders Removal of Suspended Auditor-General Lara Taylor-Pearce, and her Deputy, Tamba MomohThe statement further clarified that there were "no instances of professional misconduct or ethical breaches as outlined in the ICASL Code of Ethics and INTOSAI’s standards."
The ICASL review was guided by international auditing standards, including the International Standards on Auditing (ISA), the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI), the ICASL Code of Ethics, and the Sierra Leone Audit Service Act of 2014.
ICASL Investigation Committee Report
With Parliament preparing to discuss President Bio’s support for the tribunal’s recommendations, the ICASL’s statement could significantly influence public discourse regarding the integrity of Sierra Leone’s accountability institutions.
Theo Edwards for YAME
The New Direction! A Never-Ending Saga as Prices of Essentials Continue to Soar
While other African nations stride confidently into the future, the Bio SLPP government's promises of a ‘New Direction’ remain nothing but hollow echoes, leaving the populace mired in poverty, hunger, and despair.
UPDATE: October 21, 2024: 'GREEDY SYSTEM'— Kenema Boys released a new song about the economic struggles faced by the masses under President Bio and his 'New Direction.'
Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) increased the Driver's License tariff
Effective Monday, April 22, 2024
“UPDATE: October 21, 2024: Kenema Boys released a new song about the economic struggles faced by the masses under President Bio and his ‘New Direction.’”
In a powerful and emotional call for change, the youth of Kenema—recognized as a stronghold for the SLPP—released a powerful song that highlights the struggles faced by the community and Sierra Leone at large under President Bio’s “New Direction.”
The song expresses growing frustration and disappointment with the government.
'GREEDY SYSTEM ....any man way survive Salone na superman,' meaning anyone who has endured the conditions in the country under this administration is a hero.
How can a leader or political party be so disconnected from reality? The “Mis—Direction.”
Public outcry increases as President Bio signs the Finance Act 2024, which imposes new taxes on essential goods. The Finance Act 2024 was officially signed into law on Monday, October 20, 2024.
Above all, there is a 5% Import Duty tax on rice, the country's staple food, which is set to increase to 10% in 2025. With the current price of a bag of rice between Le 1,020,000 and Le 1,250,000, many fear the new tax will make it even less affordable.
Additional taxes imposed by the Finance Act on various commodities include a 20% tax on cement, 5% on cooking gas, and 10% on iron rods—key materials for construction and household use. Additional provisions include a 10% tax on gambling and a 1% education levy imposed on companies.
As the prices of essential goods continue to rise, the disparity between policy and the harsh realities faced by ordinary people grows.
While other African nations stride confidently into the future, the Bio-led SLPP government promises of a ‘New Direction’ remain nothing but hollow echoes, leaving the populace mired in poverty, hunger, and despair.
With the average monthly salary of the citizens of about NLe800/- or US$35/-, they continue to see prices for necessities, food, and energy spiral out of control.
SLRSA in a Press Release on Saturday, April 20th, announced an increment in the various categories in the driver's license tariffs, effective Monday, April 22, 2024.
How much more financial hardship are You Willing to Inflict on Your People?
Related
The Rising Cost of Living, Especially Food and Energy
Tin tranga! That is the new national anthem as hardship grips the motherland
The approximate US$ total the Bio administration spent on overseas travel since taking office in 2018
Running thread commentary! Launch the Twitter 'READ REPLIES,' and select a browser of choice if you haven't got an 'X' /TWITTER Account.
Level of Deceit
The Tragic Story of Sierra Leone Under the Bio, SLPP
“The SLPP Administration needs to apologize to the citizens of Sierra Leone.”
Comments expressed do not reflect the opinion of YAME: Disclaimer.
The Recently Collapsed Structures at Kissy Shell And Others
The recently collapsed structures at Kissy Shell as well as past incidents, require urgent attention. This is a multiple occupancy building, and there is a standard process for approving such structures in most countries around the world.
Courtesy: Victor Ako Mengot
A systematic approach to building control and the granting of building permits
September 16, 2024
Salone needs a regulatory body to look at the building code and building materials that are being sold to home builders. Sierra Leone hasn’t had any form of structural governing body since the 80s.
Courtesy: Victor Ako MengotThe recently collapsed structures at Kissy Shell as well as past incidents, require urgent attention.
This is a multiple occupancy building, and there is a standard process for approving such structures in most countries around the world.
This should be done through a multi-agency approach considering the mandate of relevant institutions in Sierra Leone as a case study example.
INSTITUTIONAL MANDATE
Local Government (FCC) to ensure that it conforms with the City Structure Plan (if there is any); building use classes order; and issues relating to waste management.
SLRA - accessibility to avoid encroachment in the Right of Way.
Ministry of Lands - issues relating to building plans/permits and development control.
National Fire Service - use of non-combustible materials, etc.
EDSA - matters relating to the quality of cabling materials and wiring of the building.
SLRSA/FCC - parking management.
Some building owners cut corners (put for me) or rush to get these building constructions up just to cash in.
THE PROCESS
How should it be done.
Submission of building plan to the Ministry of Lands. This function can be devolved to local government. This is the application for a building permit.
Search for the ownership of the plot, including the conveyance document.
Site inspection by building/development control Inspectors.
Contact property owners in the immediate vicinity to check that the structure would not have adverse effects on surrounding properties.
Guma Valley - access to the water grid and issues to do with the drainage system to prevent pollution of the water grid.
Granting of building permits subject to periodic checks after construction by building inspectors; Fire service; local council officials (waste management during construction); and Electrical Engineers (EDSA).
Certification by the Lands Ministry that the building is fit for occupancy.
“REQUIRE URGENT ATTENTION! A systematic approach is necessary to building control and the granting of building permits. Too many collapsed structures and deaths of innocent people.”
“HOW THINGS FELL APART”
Freetown is the first planned city in West Africa, developed using a grid system for 250,000 inhabitants. It had forest reserve areas, zoning of buildings for various socio-economic activities, and effective city and rural administration. Flashback to the Wellington Industrial Estate and the emergence of the ‘Bomeh’ waste disposal site.
The FCC had a Planning and Building Control Directorate, City Engineers Department, and Sanitary Division (environmental protection). Over the years, politics rendered local government dysfunctional.
Population explosion also led to unplanned settlement in areas like Dworzac; Sorie Tong, which was a reserved FBC botanical preservation area, Kamayama; Kuntolor, etc. Not to talk about encroachment in the Hills and Valleys that now echoing our cry.
We have all these bylaws and policies/plans in our archives that made Freetown a liveable city. FCC was even providing loans for housing I.e., to replace houses with thatched roofs (bamboo-ose). This brought about the introduction of houses on stilts (long fut-ose).
The rationale for this is that the owner will later build accommodation for rent at the bottom. As we say in Krio nar landlord for dae nar up garret.
My simple message is in Krio: “If we nor noe usai we dae go, leh we noe usai we comot.” Lonta!
Freetown City Council (FCC) By-Laws: Any person(s) who contravenes these provisions commits an offense and shall be liable.
Auditor-General Responds to Tribunal Report, Raises Concerns Over Findings and Process
The Tribunal’s interpretation of these drafts as separate reports reflects a lack of understanding of standard audit procedures. She described the Tribunal's fundamental misunderstanding of the audit processes within the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL). The Tribunal claimed two separate reports were prepared for the same audit, a conclusion Taylor-Pearce refuted as misleading. She explained that draft reports are typically prepared by audit teams and reviewed by the Deputy Auditor-General before the final report is signed off.
Article by @sierraeyesalone
The Tribunal’s interpretation of these drafts as separate reports reflects a lack of understanding of standard audit procedures.
Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce
She described the Tribunal's fundamental misunderstanding of the audit processes within the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL). The Tribunal claimed two separate reports were prepared for the same audit, a conclusion Taylor-Pearce refuted as misleading. She explained that draft reports are typically prepared by audit teams and reviewed by the Deputy Auditor-General before the final report is signed off.
Article by @sierraeyesaloneIn a detailed statement dated September 3, 2024, suspended Auditor-General Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce has raised significant concerns regarding the findings of the Tribunal that investigated her and former Deputy Auditor-General, Mr. Tamba Momoh. The report, which was circulated on social media on August 29, 2024, has prompted Mrs. Taylor-Pearce to clarify several key points related to the audit process and the Tribunal's conclusions.
Mrs. Taylor-Pearce expressed surprise and disappointment over the Tribunal's handling of the evidence and the conclusions drawn. She highlighted that the audit of the Office of the President was a compliance audit, not a financial statement audit, and that the third-party confirmations referenced by the Tribunal were misapplied. According to Taylor-Pearce, the standards for compliance audits differ from those for financial audits, a distinction that the Tribunal seemingly failed to appreciate.
She pointed out that the Tribunal preferred the testimony of a state witness, despite the lack of supporting evidence or regulatory basis for his assertions. In contrast, the Tribunal dismissed the testimony of an international public sector audit expert, whose credentials and experience far exceeded those of the state’s witnesses. This expert's testimony, which was central to the defense, was largely ignored in the Tribunal’s final report.
Mrs. Taylor-Pearce also addressed what she described as a fundamental misunderstanding by the Tribunal of the audit processes within the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL). The Tribunal claimed there were two separate reports prepared for the same audit, a conclusion Taylor-Pearce refuted as misleading. She explained that draft reports are typically prepared by audit teams and reviewed by the Deputy Auditor-General before the final report is signed off. The Tribunal’s interpretation of these drafts as separate reports reflects a lack of understanding of standard audit procedures, she asserted.
Regarding the performance audit of the Freetown City Council (FCC), Mrs. Taylor-Pearce described the evidence presented by state witnesses as "baseless, unfounded, and untruthful." She criticized the Tribunal for accepting a narrative that contradicted the established chain of command and procedures within the ASSL, noting that the correct communication channels were bypassed in the witness testimonies.
Mrs. Taylor-Pearce addressed the Tribunal’s findings on conflict of interest and breach of confidentiality, both of which she categorically denied. She clarified that no conflict of interest existed, as she had no close or immediate family relationships with any parties involved in the audits in question. Regarding confidentiality, she explained that the third-party authentication requests were handled in accordance with professional standards, and there was no breach of confidentiality as the letters did not disclose any specific details of the auditee.
In closing, Mrs. Taylor-Pearce questioned the Tribunal’s overall conclusions, given that no direct evidence of wrongdoing or misconduct on her part was presented during the hearings. She reiterated her commitment to upholding the highest standards of public sector auditing and expressed concern that the Tribunal’s findings could undermine the future of independent public sector auditing in #SierraLeone.
Taylor-Pearce also thanked her legal team, led by Mr. Rowland S. V. Wright, as well as her colleagues, family, and supporters for their continued support throughout the process.
From Council Flat to Chaos: How a Londoner Became President of Sierra Leone, and Why It Was Doomed from the Start
A Disconnect from Sierra Leone's Reality. A man who lived in a London council flat for 22 years, unemployed and seemingly disconnected from the everyday struggles of making ends meet, somehow rises to become the President of Sierra Leone. You cannot lead a country into prosperity with a complete disconnect from its history and problems.
By Reggie Cole | 24th August 2024"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown."
Who the cap fits, let HIM/HER wear it!
By Reggie Cole | 24th August 2024
A Disconnect from Sierra Leone's Reality. A man who lived in a London council flat for 22 years, unemployed and seemingly disconnected from the everyday struggles of making ends meet, somehow rises to become the President of Sierra Leone.
Imagine this: a man who lived in a London council flat for 22 years, unemployed and seemingly disconnected from the everyday struggles of making ends meet, somehow rises to become the President of Sierra Leone.
At first glance, it sounds like a modern fairy tale—a story of unlikely triumph. But what has followed is anything but a fairy tale. Today, the country finds itself in chaos—economically crippled, politically fractured, and socially volatile. How did we get here, and why was this outcome so predictable?
A Disconnect from Sierra Leone's Reality
Sierra Leone Political Map — Dstrict and Chiefdoms — Source: Statistics SL
For over two decades, this individual was living far away from the streets of Freetown, instead experiencing life in London—specifically, in a council flat funded by the UK welfare system. Now, this is not to undermine the struggles of anyone who has faced unemployment or economic hardship. However, governing a nation like Sierra Leone demands more than sympathy—it demands acute, hands-on knowledge of the country’s unique struggles.
The Sierra Leonean people suffer daily from failing infrastructure, chronic poverty, and a devastating history of corruption and tribalism. How can someone who spent years unemployed in a foreign country, insulated from these issues, have any real understanding of the realities facing the ordinary Sierra Leonean? Leadership isn’t something you can grasp from afar. It requires being on the ground, living the struggles, and engaging deeply with the people. This individual’s detachment from these issues left him unprepared to govern effectively.
Lack of Leadership Experience
Leadership, especially on a national level, requires years of experience, decision-making skills, and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues. For someone who has been unemployed for over 20 years, the lack of experience in managing even small teams or resources should be a red flag, let alone handling a nation. Running a country like Sierra Leone demands a grasp of everything from economic policy to social justice, international diplomacy to healthcare reform. This role is no place for someone learning on the job. Yet, here we are, watching the country spiral into chaos because of a profound lack of preparedness in the highest office.
Misalignment with the People
Being detached from Sierra Leone for so long, this individual could not possibly understand the heartbeat of the nation. Sierra Leone is a complex country with deep-rooted tribalism, economic hardships, and a fragile political structure. The people’s needs are diverse and urgent: better healthcare, education, reliable infrastructure, and jobs. A leader without intimate knowledge of these realities is bound to be misaligned with the needs of the people. Governance requires connection and empathy—qualities best fostered by living among and understanding the people you aim to serve. In this case, living abroad for decades only created a massive gulf between the leader and the nation.
National Stability Requires Expertise
The truth is simple: governance requires expertise, not just in politics but also in economics, law, and social reform. An inexperienced leader is bound to make critical missteps. Running a country is not like running a household—it requires a strategic approach to problem-solving, international diplomacy, and an understanding of complex systems. When someone with little to no relevant experience steps into such a role, chaos is inevitable. And today, that chaos is Sierra Leone’s reality.
The Predictable Downfall
In the end, Sierra Leone’s current predicament was predictable from the start.
You cannot lead a country into prosperity with a complete disconnect from its history and problems, nor can you tackle tribalism, poverty, and corruption without a deep understanding of the fabric of the nation. Sierra Leone deserved better leadership—leadership rooted in knowledge, experience, and a genuine connection with its people.
What we are seeing today is the consequence of placing an unprepared individual in a position of immense power. The lesson for all of us is clear: leadership matters, and in a country as fragile as Sierra Leone, it’s not something we can afford to get wrong.
A Few More Points on Africa And The Rotating Presidency of The United Nations Security Council
Being on the UN Security Council has nothing to do with any so-called unique status that Sierra Leone holds at the UN, neither has it anything to do with Maada Bio and SLPP’s leadership credentials. Maada Bio and his brigade wanted to pretend that Sierra Leone was the first African country to be at the UN Security Council.
By Chernoh Alpha M. Bah — Africanist Press
August 2024
"Being on the UN Security Council has nothing to do with any so-called unique status that Sierra Leone holds at the UN, neither has it anything to do with Maada Bio and SLPP’s leadership credentials" ~ Chernoh Alpha M. Bah — Africanist Press.
The presidency of the Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month, following the English alphabetical order of the Member States names.
By Chernoh Alpha M. Bah — Africanist PressHere are the points:
A few days ago, we published historical data showing that being on the Security Council and sharing the one-month presidency of the Council is a normal ritual among UN member states. Being on the UN Security Council has nothing to do with any so-called unique status that Sierra Leone holds at the UN, neither has it anything to do with Maada Bio and SLPP’s leadership credentials.
The presidency of the Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month, following the English alphabetical order of the Member States names.
Since 1946, African countries have served as presidents of the UN Security Council for a total of 141 times. This includes countries that are led by dictators of all descriptions. Mozambique is the latest African country that recently served a term in May 2024. They presided over Security Council meetings with a monthly program that had far more events than the current August program that Sierra Leone is moderating.
You didn’t get to hear any noise about Mozambique at the Security Council in May 2024 from Maada Bio and his brigade because they wanted to pretend that Sierra Leone was in fact the first African country to be at the UN Security Council. They also want you to believe that Maada Bio is the only African president that is presiding over a UN Security Council meeting. All the propaganda and deception around the UN Security Council is being executed by the Bio brigade and its allies in a desperate effort to legitimize Bio’s already troubled hijacking of state power in Sierra Leone following the controversial June 2023 elections.
In fact, in the 141 times that African countries have been on the Security Council, the meetings were MOSTLY and ALMOST always chaired by either the designated Permanent Representatives to the United Nations of the said countries, or in certain cases, the countries are represented by their foreign ministers. The presidents of such countries seldomly attend these ritualized rotating proceedings.
Over the years, a few African dictators (mostly politicians with troubled political situations in their countries) have in some cases hijacked the rotating UN Security Council presidential role from their Ambassadors or foreign ministers, and choose to play president of the Security Council for one session or more sessions of talk shows during the tenures of their countries at the Security Council. These African dictators that joined Security Council talk shows in recent years include Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast in December 2018, Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in February 2019, and Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso in September 2008. Maada Bio of Sierra Leone is the latest African politician with a questionable presidential legitimacy to join this list of African dictators who likewise trooped to the Security Council with the intent of laundering soiled presidential legitimacies.
Chernoh Alpha M. Bah — Africanist Press
To further illustrate this, let us take the case of Ivory Coast’s Alhassane Ouattara who presided over the Security Council talk show in December 2018, and in December 2020, he enthroned himself as a third term president in Ivory Coast. His colleague and friend, Blaise Campaore had earlier led the Security Council talk show in September 2008, and in 2010, he also controversially declared himself president following a sham of an election. Few years later, Campaore then tried to amend the country’s constitution to extend his 27-year dictatorship but he was eventually kicked out of power by the young people of Burkina Faso in 2014.
These are just the few examples of the handful of African dictators who saw the Security Council rotating presidency as a launchpad to legitimize and advance authoritarianism in Africa.
But among the few African dictators who hijacked the roles of their foreign ministers or ambassadors to play the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, Maada Bio of Sierra Leone is the least developed by all standards of measurement. Maada Bio can’t fluently read a written script; Bio is the least sophisticated among Africa’s dictators; and Bio is also the least exposed intellectually and politically.
I will stop here for now until there is a need to further correct the amateur propaganda of the Maada Bio brigade and it’s vacillating allies within the rank opportunists of the compromised opposition in Sierra Leone.
Few days ago, we circulated the list of African countries that have presided over the Security Council since 1946. The list includes the names of people who represented their individual countries during the one month presidential tenures of their countries.
We encourage you to read the list and check the records to see who among Africa’s presidents have used their tax-payers money to blow the loud empty trumpets at the UN Security Council over the years. Then also check the political and economic records of those politicians in their countries, and the political and social upheavals that followed their tenures at the Security Council.
Knowing the past is essential to knowing the present, and to potentially plan for the future.
The list of African countries at the UN Security Council has been circulated on the Africanist Press WhatsApp Forums. Feel free to circulate the list.
Feds in San Diego Allege Sierra Leone Man Heads Massive Human Smuggling Operation
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced Thursday that it had sanctioned the group, which it dubbed the Abdul Karim Conteh Human Smuggling Organization, as well as Conteh, his wife, and two others. The Treasury Department said the organization provided migrants with fraudulent documents; leveraged the U.S. financial system to receive payments; transported migrants to the border and advised them on how to cross; and maintained affiliations with other groups in other countries who helped funnel the migrants to Mexico.
By ALEX RIGGINS | alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com | The San Diego Union-TribuneFederal authorities allege Abdul Karim Conteh of Sierra Leone coordinated the transportation and smuggling of thousands of migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East through Mexico into the U.S.
U.S. Department of the Treasury: Federal authorities allege Abdul Karim Conteh and his wife, Veronica Roblero Pivaral, ran a massive human-smuggling organization.
By ALEX RIGGINS | alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com | The San Diego Union-Tribune | UPDATED: July 18, 2024 at 4:41 p.m.Federal authorities on Thursday announced sanctions and criminal charges against an alleged Tijuana-based international criminal group suspected of smuggling thousands of undocumented migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East into the United States.
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Abdul Karim Conteh, 42, of Sierra Leone
An indictment against the group’s alleged leader, 42-year-old Sierra Leone national Abdul Karim Conteh, was unsealed Wednesday in federal court in San Diego. The indictment alleges that over a period of several years, Conteh and his Mexican wife, 25-year-old Veronica Roblero Pivaral, conspired with others to move the migrants from their home countries to South and Central America, and then north through Mexico to the U.S. border.
“Defendant Abdul Karim Conteh oversaw and assisted with their surreptitious and unlawful entry into the United States by various means, including the use of ladders and tunnels,” the indictment alleges. “… The migrants paid money, often tens of thousands of dollars, to be transported.”
Mexican authorities arrested Conteh on July 11 in Tijuana, and the U.S. is pursuing his extradition, according to the Department of Justice. Roblero, his wife, remains at large.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced Thursday that it had sanctioned the group, which it dubbed the Abdul Karim Conteh Human Smuggling Organization, as well as Conteh, his wife and two others. The Treasury Department said the organization provided migrants with fraudulent documents; leveraged the U.S. financial system to receive payments; transported migrants to the border and advised them on how to cross; and maintained affiliations with other groups in other countries who helped funnel the migrants to Mexico.
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Veronica Roblero Pivaral, the 25-year-old Mexican wife of Conteh, remains at large.
The Treasury Department said that while Conteh was the leader of the group, his wife “plays a variety of critical roles in the organization, ranging from driving migrants to the U.S. border to receiving payments for smuggling operations.” Also sanctioned were Issa Kamara, from Sierra Leone, and Pasaman Francis Marin Abbe Pidoukou, from Togo. They allegedly helped facilitate the transport of migrants for the group.
The indictment unsealed Wednesday names Conteh and Roblero, but the names of additional defendants remain redacted. It was unclear if Kamara and Pidoukou were among the others charged in the indictment.
Brian Nelson, the Treasury Department’s under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement that Thursday’s sanctions “(disrupt) the ability of those seeking to exploit and endanger desperate individuals in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland described Conteh’s alleged group in a statement as “prolific (and) exploitive” and promised to hold Conteh accountable.
“Human smugglers exploit the vulnerable for profit,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. “… We are bringing the full force of the law to bear against the individuals and their organizations that perpetrate this heinous crime. We couple our unrelenting efforts with this warning to would-be migrants everywhere: do not believe the smuggler’s lies and risk your lives in their ruthless hands.”
The indictment alleges the smuggled migrants came from Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Somalia, Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritania, Ethiopia and Egypt. The Treasury Department said others came from Russia, China, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. The indictment alleges they were transported to the U.S. border from varying starting locations, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala.
The indictment charges Conteh, Roblero, and the other unnamed defendants with conspiracy to smuggle migrants into the U.S. That charge carries a 10-year maximum prison sentence. Conteh is also charged with three additional counts of unlawful smuggling of migrants for financial gain.
The alleged criminal group headed by Conteh is the fourth large-scale, transnational human-smuggling organization targeted by Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions since last June.
Last week, the Treasury Department sanctioned Tren de Aragua, which originated as a Venezuelan prison gang but has allegedly grown into a large group that specializes in human smuggling while also engaging in drug trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes.
In December the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Malas Mañas, an alleged criminal group based in Sonora, Mexico, south of Arizona. The group is allegedly engaged in human smuggling and drug trafficking and has suspected ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. In June 2023, sanctions were imposed against the Hernandez Salas transnational criminal organization, an alleged human-smuggling group operating in Mexicali, south of Imperial County.
Originally Published: July 18, 2024 at 4:29 p.m.
Sierra Leone: Small Country, Massive Suffering
Bad economy, no electricity, poor water supply, youth unemployment, the rampant abuse of KUSH, and the rise in crime rate. How did it all fall apart?
We cannot allow the future of our generation to be sacrificed for the sake of those driven by their pursuit of wealth and political ambition.
By Theo Edwards
How did it all fall apart?
Bad economy, no electricity, fraud and corruption, poor infrastructure, poor water supply, youth unemployment, the rampant abuse of Kush, and the rise in crime.
Every blessed day, you will find something to be outraged about.
It pains like-minded Sierra Leoneans to see the stark contrast between the envisioned utopia and the grim reality in Mama Salone, a land abundant with many God-given natural resources.
Our so-called educated elite, leaders, traditional rulers, and religious figures have all become agents of our demise, poisoning the well of our collective aspirations.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States once said, ‘…nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s true character, give him power.’ Power reveals dishonesty, greed, corruption, and unqualified functionaries in us.
Power consumes one’s ability to use common sense
Sierra Leone has manifested itself into tribal and regional affiliations that have become barriers to meaningful collaboration.
Regrettably, these divisions of tribalism extend to the leadership and various governmental institutions. The specter of politics and political affiliations looms large and appears more important than national interest.
Positions on national issues are based entirely on convenience and not deeply on how things appear good or bad or how we want to hold people in power accountable but on who we try to protect based on affiliation or connections.
Politicians don't give a dam! Not until we Sierra Leoneans treat each other with dignity and value the life of everyone nothing will ever change.
No transparency or accountability oversight. The very essence of democracy
The two sides of our political framework follow the same road. And they both wind up in the same place every single time.
Transparency is an absolute necessity for achieving accountability in any democratic system. It is only when those in power are held responsible for their actions that trust can exist between the government and its citizens. Without transparency and accountability, the government can easily become corrupt and abuse its power, leading to a breakdown of trust and a loss of faith in the entire system.
The pursuit of power has blinded many politicians to the basic needs of humanity, leading to a decline in the quality of life for the general public. The obsession with gaining and maintaining power has consumed the ability to use common sense and make decisions that benefit constituents. As a result, basic needs like access to clean water, healthcare, education, and infrastructure are being neglected, while those in power focus on their self-interests.
READ: ‘Absolute disgrace:’ State institutions are not working as they ought
This selfish behavior not only harms the nation but also weakens the fabric of society as a whole.
It's been sixty-three long years since our independence on April 27, 1961, and yet we still find ourselves trapped in the shackles of mental slavery. Corruption, ignorance, and mismanagement continue to plague our society, serving as the hallmarks of power and control.
It is the sad reality, that despite our freedom, we have failed to break free from the chains that bind us and prevent us from reaching our true potential as a nation.
The people of Sierra Leone have long been asking for very little, but unfortunately, so much is taken away from them. The realities on the ground are all too real and paint a very sad picture
In societies that meet the academic definition of 'good governance,' the government is supposed to meet the needs of the people. However, in Sierra Leone, this is often not the case. Despite the best efforts of some, the needs of the people are often ignored, and their basic rights are frequently violated.
The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the All Peoples Congress (APC), the two pillars of our political framework, have long become synonymous with stagnation and corruption. The level of corruption runs in both directions creating an environment where crime and bribery flourish.
READ: When humanity succumbs to acts of greed and oppression, they are even less than animals
It's a tragic state of affairs and time for a change. We need leaders who are committed and committed to reforms such as taking a harder line against party leaders who've been implicated in corruption and state capture.
The time for our leaders to prioritize the needs of the people they serve, and work together to create a better future for all.
Poverty and Uncertainty occupying the mind! In poverty-stricken societies, people are forced to make desperate choices just to survive. They are willing to eat from any plate, regardless of the source, because hunger knows no boundaries. They are willing to dance for political t-shirts not because they desire them, but because they need clothes to wear. It is appalling that we have allowed these issues to persist, ignoring them until election season when politicians use them to gain leverage. Let us not forget that these are real people with real struggles, not just pawns in a political game. Through effective management of resources and eliminating corruption, Sierra Leone can chart a sustainable path toward a brighter and more prosperous future.
It is time to take action and address these issues with urgency and compassion.
KUSH: Is not only the new face of Sierra Leone but also the new mineral of Sierra Leone. Disheartening!
Because of the enduring impact and the self-interest of our politicians, Sierra Leone has slid into a more dangerous territory due to the rampant abuse of KUSH. A drug that is quickly becoming the new face of addiction in the country. Those who turn to KUSH in search of relief are often met with devastating consequences leading to even worse problems than those it was intended to solve.
Leadership
‘For, it would be useless to chase out the colonial rulers if the Africans who replaced them are just as greedy and ruthless ~Kwame Nkrumah.
As citizens, we only need to look around us to know where we are as a nation. We cannot allow the future of our generation to be sacrificed for the sake of those driven by their pursuit of wealth and political ambition.
Time for a New Era
The call for change is not just a desire but a necessity if we're to break free from the shackles of the past and chart a new course for our nation. Let us heed this call and embrace the promise of a better tomorrow, with integrity and progress reigning supreme. In the heart of Sierra Leone's political landscape lies a deep-seated yearning for change. Far too long, our nation has been held hostage by the grip of aging politicians who have failed to deliver on their promises and have instead perpetuated a cycle of despair and disillusionment.
Op-Ed: Alpha Amadu Jalloh (The FOX: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 12 March 2024
Sierra Leone call to replace old politicians with fresh faces —
Op—Ed
The power to shape our destiny lies in our hands. Let us not squander the opportunity for change. But seize it with both hands and forge a path towards a brighter future for generations to come.
In the heart of Sierra Leone's political landscape lies a deep-seated yearning for change. Far too long, our nation has been held hostage by the grip of aging politicians who have failed to deliver on their promises and have instead perpetuated a cycle of despair and disillusionment.
Time for a new chapter, a chapter, written by the hands of the young and genuine, who possess the vigor and integrity to lead our country forward.
The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the All Peoples Congress (APC), two pillars of our political framework, have long been dominated by the same faces. Faces that have become synonymous with stagnation and corruption.
Politicians, who have been entrenched in power for decades, have grown out of touch with the aspirations and needs of the people they are meant to serve. Their presence has stifled innovation and progress, leaving our nation languishing in the shadows of its potential.
As Sierra Leoneans, we must come to terms with the reality that the status quo is no longer acceptable. We cannot continue to allow our future to be dictated by those who have failed us time and again. The time has come for the old guard to step aside and make room for fresh perspectives and untainted ideals.
It is undeniable that Sierra Leone is blessed with a wealth of young talent and genuine individuals who possess the passion and dedication to bring about real change. These are the voices that deserve to be heard. The voices that can breathe new life into our political landscape and usher in an era of prosperity and progress for all.
However, the path to change will not be easy. The entrenched interests of the old guard will undoubtedly resist any attempts to loosen their grip on power. But we, the people of Sierra Leone, must stand firm in our resolve and demand accountability from those who claim to represent us.
We must reject the notion that politics is a game reserved for the elite few, and instead embrace a more inclusive and representative democracy. Every Sierra Leonean deserves a seat at the table, and only by working together, that we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
The time for complacency is over. We must seize the moment, as an opportunity to redefine our nation’s destiny and reclaim our rightful place among the community of nations. Let us come together, young and old, to build a brighter future for all Sierra Leoneans.
Finally, the call for change is not just a desire, but a necessity if we are to break free from the shackles of the past and chart a new course for our nation. Let us heed this call and embrace the promise of a better tomorrow, with integrity and progress reigning supreme.
Sierra Leoneans, the power to shape our destiny lies in our hands. Let us not squander this opportunity for change but rather seize it with both hands and forge a path towards a brighter future for generations to come.
Source: Op-Ed: Abdul Rashid Thomas | Alpha Amadu Jalloh (The FOX: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 12 March 2024
Related
“We asked for little, but so much is taken away from us. People had hopes ‘Here comes our Robin Hood,’ instead, it turned out to be Animal Farm.”
Now, these statements are more relevant than when he says them.
The Paran Affair
A Microcosm of Sierra Leone's Political Entitlement
How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process. An embedded narrative, in which the characters become the story. George Orwell, Animal Farm.
Animal Farm as Relates to Humans and Society
How those in power—Napoleon and his fellow pigs—pervert the democratic process. An embedded narrative, in which the characters become the story.
—power has swallowed politicians’ common sense
Mayor on The Front Line
Mayor on The Front Line documentary is not just about politics. It's a battle for the soul of democracy. Elections must be fair, credible, and transparent. Mayor on the Front Line follows Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr as she fights to win a second term in the midst of one of Sierra Leone’s most fiercely contested elections. She confronts the hard realities of politics in a country still scarred by the horrors of a bloody civil war.
Africa Eye brings you original investigative journalism revealing secrets and rooting out injustice in the world’s most complex and exciting continent. Nothing stays hidden forever.
Democracy in Crisis
BBC Africa Eye documentary
Mayor on the Front Line follows Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr as she fights to win a second term in the midst of one of Sierra Leone’s most fiercely contested elections. She confronts the hard realities of politics in a country still scarred by the horrors of a bloody civil war.
After filming this documentary, the Agreement for National Unity was signed, under the terms of which she assumed office on October 30, 2023, with other elected officials of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party. As the re-elected Mayor of Freetown, She is working with the central government, development partners, and Freetonians to continue the journey to Transform Freetown.
With unique access to Aki-Sawyerr, her team, and her family, the film offers insight not only into the highs and lows of Sierra Leonean politics but also the personal cost of a life in the political limelight.
During her bid for re-election for a second term, she finds herself on the front line of a democratic crisis. As election season ramps up, her campaign faces intimidation, violence, and international concerns over the integrity of the election process.
Watch the full BBCAfricaEye documentary
Mayor on the Front Line follows Aki-Sawyerr as she confronts the hard realities of politics in a country still scarred by the horrors of a bloody civil war.
Since being elected in 2018, Freetown mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has won international plaudits for her commitment to fighting the myriad challenges facing the capital of Sierra Leone, one of Africa’s poorest countries.
Credit: BBCAfricaEye: Africa Eye brings you original investigative journalism revealing secrets and rooting out injustice in the world’s most complex and exciting continent. Nothing stays hidden forever.
Sierra Leone 2023 - Final Report on General Elections June 2023
'Tabulation and announcement of results proved to be the tipping point for the credibility of the elections. The entire process was opaque, meaningful observation was impeded, and the declaration of winners was not followed by the publication of disaggregated results per polling station.' These are the words of the European Union Observation Mission Final Report on Sierra Leone General Elections June 2023.
European Union Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone 2023
Dated 10.10.2023
Tabulation and announcement of results proved to be the tipping point for the credibility of the elections. The entire process was opaque, meaningful observation was impeded and the declaration of winners was not followed by the publication of disaggregated results per polling station. On 27 June, the ECSL declared Julius Mada Bio of the Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party (SLPP) elected for a second term, passing the constitutional threshold of 55 percent in the first round by 1.17 percentage points. Following the declaration of the results of the parliamentary elections a few days later, it was clear that result totals published by the ECSL showed several statistical inconsistencies and mathematical improbabilities.
These included notable discrepancies in the number of average valid votes per polling station between the first and second batch of presidential results, varying from a decrease of 75 percent to an increase of 31 percent per district; a difference of up to 23 percentage points per district between the turnout for the presidential and parliamentary elections, with some districts registering substantially lower parliamentary turnouts and others showing significantly lower presidential turnouts; turnout above 90 percent in five districts; and only 0.4 percent of invalid votes nation-wide. These inconsistencies, combined with the ECSL’s decision not to publish disaggregated results, undermined the credibility of the tabulation process and voters’ confidence in the outcome of the polls.
Overall, the 2023 general elections underscored a clear commitment among Sierra Leoneans to the democratic processes, while also proving an urgent need for further reforms focusing on transparency, trust-building, and inclusion. The EU EOM is offering 21 recommendations for improving the way elections are organized, managed, and conducted and for upholding regional and international commitments.
There are seven priority recommendations:
1. Publish the final voter register per polling station and per polling center in a timely manner and allow voters to verify and correct all their details.
2. The ECSL to establish and publish detailed procedures for the tabulation and announcement of results, as well as put in place a robust, transparent, and easily verifiable results processing system well ahead of elections.
3. Publish on the ECSL website comprehensive election results data by polling station, including results per candidate and per party, the number of registered voters, and of valid and invalid votes, in a timely manner and in an easily trackable and downloadable database format.
4. Ensure safety and security for all candidates through a timely conclusion of investigations, holding perpetrators of violence accountable, and enabling the PPRC to act effectively upon violations of campaign rules.
5. Ensure enforcement of legal restrictions on the misuse of state resources and explicitly prohibit the use of official functions, as well as government websites and social media accounts for campaign purposes.
6. Ensure transparency in campaign finance by introducing caps for campaign revenues and expenses and clear rules of reporting and public disclosure before, during, and after the elections, including by the media, and by implementing robust sanctions for noncompliance.
7. Protect freedom of expression by clearly aligning the definitions of “cyber-terrorism”, “cyber-stalking”, “cyber-bullying” and “incendiary information” with relevant regional and international standards.
Click to see the full document
The Rising Cost of Living, Especially Food and Energy
Tin tranga! That is the new national anthem as hardship grips the motherland. The cost of essential commodities keeps soaring, making the cost of living unaffordable for many.
From food to fuel and utilities to higher education, everything is going out of reach for the average Salone man. Even those with deep pockets (and there aren’t many) are feeling the pinch. What is the government doing?
By The Editorial Board: Credit Source: Share
Tin tranga!
That is the new national anthem as hardship grips the motherland.
Tin tranga! That is the new national anthem as hardship grips the motherland. The cost of essential commodities keeps soaring, making the cost of living unaffordable for many.
Sierra Leone
From food to fuel and utilities to higher education, everything is going out of reach for the average Salone man. Even those with deep pockets (and there aren’t many) are feeling the pinch. What is the government doing?
According to Statistics Sierra Leone, Consumer Price Inflation stood at almost 45% in July this year. When you focus on food and non-alcoholic beverages alone, you get a staggering 59.93% for the same month. These figures are alarming, but the reality of people, as far as the cost of living is concerned, is even more terrifying, with high levels of hunger and food insecurity. According to the World Food Programme, 78% of the country’s population is food insecure.
The rising fuel prices and impending increase in EDSA tariff in Sierra Leone definitely put a strain on the finances of its citizens. The situation is going to be difficult for everyone, regardless. When fuel prices go up, so do the prices of goods and services transported.
‘_slogans and gimmicks but no real solution.’ Hardship for the people of Salone.
In only a few months, there has been a significant increase in fuel prices. The cost of electricity is about to increase. Last year, the cost of telecoms services—calling credit and mobile data—also increased significantly. Whether eating at a cookery baffa or a posh restaurant, you will still pay a lot more today. Recreation is a pure luxury.
The rising cost of living, especially food and energy, is commonly attributed to global market forces and, more recently, to the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukrainian war. While all of this might make sense, it is helpful only to an extent and is irrelevant to the people who struggle to live day by day.
While global food and fuel prices decreased in 2022, Sierra Leoneans experienced a steady hike as the Leone depreciated by 60% in 2022. The economy has been on life-support for the most part, and according to the World Bank, inflation and currency depreciation reached record levels. So, the ‘global’ argument passed on from government to government does not pass muster.
It is hard to understand and accept this type of behavior. It is a state of austerity for everyone except the administration. It is business as usual with an expanding wage burden—new and additional appointees, new institutions and offices, new big cars, and over-the-top spending.
Thanks to the ensuing pressure of Bretton Woods and a broke State that constantly needs money, subsidies are being removed on fuel. You struggle to see the effort the State is making to cut costs. Everyone else bears the biting hardship while political appointees get subsidized by the very State—that is taking away subsidies from the struggling masses.
Teachers must hustle their way to work with high transportation costs of NLe600—NLe800 (mere US$40) monthly SALARY, while senior state officials enjoy the comfort of a chauffeur-driven guzzler, with fuel paid by taxes of the poor teacher.
Government institutions have normalized renting private properties for office use at the taxpayers' expense, while many public buildings remain underutilized or neglected. No one is interested in cutting those costs while the poor have to pay for it. Government events continue to be held at luxury venues with overpriced catering. Constant supply of free fuel to officials at the expense of the taxpayer. Let us not even talk about the expensive trips on chartered planes. What happened to 'The Land That We Love, Our Sierra Leone.'
'Knowledge and truth our forefathers spread,
Mighty the nations whom they led;
Mighty they made thee, so too may we
Show forth the good that is ever in thee.'
Until radical cuts to wasteful spending are made, the government will have no ground to stand on to offer plausible explanations for the hardship. It is possible that such cuts would not solve the problem. Still, the people should be able to see that their government is not only using global cost of living excuses to justify the increasing poverty but also doing something about it.
We are at a point where it would make sense to declare a state of austerity and adopt comprehensive cost-cutting measures that start from the very top. With food inflation at almost 50% and a currency that is withering away, there is no shame in saying that we are in a terrible situation that warrants drastic cuts—not the unjustifiable and untimely removal of subsidies, but on wasteful spending that is avoided and there is a lot of it—from the V8 Landcruisers to the trips and unnecessary events and fuel.
It is getting to a point where the government needs to stop explaining why people suffer from a constantly increasing cost of living and start taking steps and doing what responsible parents do when things are hard in the home.
The discussion must no longer be about what is causing the hardship. There has to be a shift towards government action to cushion the impact on its people.
Visa Restriction Policy on Undermining the Democratic Process in Sierra Leone
Today, we are announcing a new visa restriction policy for individuals involved in undermining democracy in Sierra Leone. This decision reflects the commitment of the U.S. to support Sierra Leoneans’ aspirations to have free and fair elections.
Statement by Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken
Statement by Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken
August 31, 2023
The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Sierra Leone and around the world. Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for undermining the democratic process in the June 2023 Sierra Leone election.
The visa restriction policy announced today will apply to specific individuals and is not directed at the Sierra Leonean people.
Related Share
98.1 Radio Democracy Journalist Musa Kamara Receives Threat Over Interview With US Ambassador
“I have been dramatic in the last 24 hours since that my interview with the outgoing US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer.”
US Government Rejects Election Outcome in Sierra Leone as Mayor Aki Sawyerr Discloses Rigged Results
The US government published this statement: “The United States continues to be concerned about irregularities in the election results announced by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL). Independent parallel vote tabulations and analyses by accredited national and international observation missions raise questions about the integrity of the official results.
98.1 Radio Democracy Journalist, Musa Kamara Receives Threat Over Interview With US Ambassador
“I have been dramatic in the last 24 hours since that my interview with the outgoing US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer.”
The outcome of the elections currently harbors an impasse between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and the main opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC) The APC has boycotted government and governance citing statistical inconsistencies with the announced results.
Related Share: U.S. Embassy Position on the Sierra Leone Election Results and the Country's Economy; Ambassador Reimers' announcement on Radio Democracy 98.1. (Last Updated August 16, 2023; 7:35 AM EST.)
“I have been dramatic in the last 24 hours since that my interview with the outgoing US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer.”
August 18, 2023
A senior journalist at Radio Democracy, Musa Kamara said he has received several threats following a controversial interview with the US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer.
“I have been dramatic in the last 24 hours since that my interview with the outgoing US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer,” Kamara said.
He added that he has received several threatening remarks on social media and personal text messages. He noted that the threats are a cause for concern and notified the radio station’s management and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).
“Going forward I feel scared to do the job I love,” Kamara said in an interview with Sierraloaded.
Kamara’s interview with Ambassador Reimer was leaked on Wednesday. In the interview, Reimer said the United States is concerned about the 24 June election results. He added that they want an independent institution to investigate the results.
The 2023 elections are believed to be one of the most controversial multitier elections Sierra Leone has conducted in recent times.
The outcome of the elections currently harbors an impasse between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and the main opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC) The APC has boycotted government and governance citing statistical inconsistencies with the announced results.
Tagged: #Sierraloaded
Refer to the audio at https://yame.space/whats-up-africalinks/us-government-rejects-election-outcome-in-sierra-leone-as-mayor-aki-sawyerr-discloses-rigged-results
Footer: Related Share:
U.S. Embassy Position on the Sierra Leone Election Results and the Country's Economy; Ambassador Reimers' announcement on Radio Democracy 98.1. (Last Updated August 16, 2023; 7:35 AM EST.)
Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Unfortunately, our Sierra Leonean society is now one of too many compromised people and no statesmen or institutions serving as moral guarantors.
By Alhaji U Njai, Freelance writer ‘Roaming in the Mountains of Kabala’
Alhaji U Njai
Freelance writer and concerned Sierra Leonean
When we do the right things with integrity, fairness, and transparency, peace is assured at all times in society.
Everyone is crying out for peace in Sierra Leone: yet no one is crying out for social justice and equity, which are fundamental for creating and maintaining peace. —Crying out for peace when that peace based on our neighbors’ oppression will not bear good fruits or lead to a healthy and progressive peaceful society.
Telling people to move on after an incident without healing is simply telling them to accept wrongful acts in society and normalize those behaviors.
From Independence in Sierra Leone to war, ebola, and landslides to our present debacle, we seemingly normalize wrongful acts with a ‘how for do, na for biya’ mentality. Each time we have the opportunity to make things right, nothing is done—we move on without addressing the problem or root cause analysis; no deep healing occurs, and lessons remain unlearnt.
Hence, we keep developing a society with deep wounds and emotional and mental scars or trauma with no support, healing mechanisms, or therapy in place. We are simply left to cope with the mental or psychological trauma of our social ills, with substance abuse becoming a favorite mechanism for a large segment of society.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Unfortunately, our Sierra Leonean society is now one of too many compromised people and no statesmen or institutions serving as moral guarantors. When we do the right things with integrity, fairness, and transparency; peace is assured at all times in society.
As Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) post-war found injustices, human rights abuses, greed, corruption, bad governance, lack of accountability and transparency, and leadership failures as the roots of the war; we must never forget the things that led us to years of brutal war.
The lessons of the war must serve as our daily reminder to work assiduously towards developing a thriving, socially just, and equitable Sierra Leone. Upholding the truth, fairness, integrity, and transparency at all times thus matters.
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Alhaji Umar N’jai is a Ph.D. Senior Scientist, Associate Professor, Panafrican Scholar, Founder & Chief Strategist of Project 1808, Inc., and Freelance writer ‘Roaming in the Mountains of Kabala Republic.’
Project1808 is a Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving community livelihood and technical capacity through school, university, and community projects and global partnerships in Sierra Leone. Project1808 was founded in 2009 by Sierra Leone native Dr. Alhaji N’jai and became an official 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization in the United States in 2011.
Project1808 is committed to optimizing partnerships between educational institutions locally, within Africa, and overseas, particularly with the involvement of other African countries.
Presidential Candidates Summary Profile
Here is a closer look at the profiles of each candidate and their respective parties in the upcoming Sierra Leone presidential elections on June 24, 2023.
By Theo Edwards; Powered by BARD, a Google AI Software
Explainer: Politics of Sierra Leone
By Theo Edwards; Powered by BARD, a Google AI Software
Here is a closer look at the profiles of each candidate and their respective parties in the upcoming Sierra Leone presidential elections on June 24, 2023.
Dr. Samura Wilson Mathew Kamara, APC
An economist who served as a candidate for the All People’s Congress (APC) Party in the 2018 Sierra Leone presidential election. Before his candidacy, Kamara held several prominent positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone from 2012 to 2017, Minister of Finance and Economic Development from 2009 to 2013, Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2009, and Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance during President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah’s administration. Although unsuccessful in his bid for the presidency, Kamara’s political experience and economic expertise be influential within the APC.
Dr. Julius Maada Bio, SLPP _ Incumbent
A retired brigadier in the Sierra Leone Army has served as the President of Sierra Leone since April 4, 2018. He rose to prominence as the military head of state of Sierra Leone from January 16, 1996, to March 29, 1996, during his tenure as part of the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC). As the candidate of the main opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) during that time, Bio emerged victorious in the runoff vote of the 2018 Sierra Leonean presidential election, defeating Samura Mathew Kamara of the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) with 51.8% of the votes. Both international and local observers declared the election to be free and fair. Bio succeeded Ernest Bai Koroma as president, taking on the responsibility of leading the nation forward.
Charles Francis Margai, PMDC
A prominent figure in Sierra Leonean politics and leader; of the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) _he previously ran as a candidate for the presidency in the August 2007 elections, where he secured third place with 10% of the vote. Margai is the son of Albert Margai, a former Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, and the nephew of Milton Margai, the country’s first Prime Minister. Although he received less than 3% of the votes in the 2012 and 2018 presidential elections, Margai continues to play an active role in shaping the political landscape of Sierra Leone.
Abdulahi Dougakoro Saccoh, RUFP
He brings a unique blend of political and professional experiences. Before being selected as the flag bearer for RUFP, Saccoh served as the party’s spokesperson. The RUFP, emerged in the aftermath of Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war, has been active in the country’s political landscape for several years.
Saccoh’s professional background includes being a fellow of the Gemological Association and Gem Testing Lab of Great Britain. He pursued his studies in Gemology and Diamond Grading in England and later worked in the United States before assuming his position in the RUFP. Beyond his political and professional commitments, Saccoh is actively involved in various organizations, including the N’Ko Movement of Sierra Leone, which advocates for preserving local languages and learning with African alphabet. He also serves as the Deputy Chair of MANDEN N MAYA BOLON, an organization dedicated to upholding ancient ancestral values, beliefs, and religion. Additionally, Saccoh leads Sierra Leone for SANUN JARA (Golden Lion), an organization comprising 14 African countries.
Mohamed Chernoh Bah, NDA
The chosen presidential candidate for the Democratic Alliance (NDA) will represent the party in the upcoming elections. Bah previously led the NDA during the 2018 elections, where the party secured 17,748 votes, equivalent to 0.96% of the total votes. This year, he has selected Madam Saudatu Turay as his running mate.
Nabieu Musa Kamara, PLP
Development and maintenance of peace in Sierra Leone. With his running mate, Saidu A.K. Mannah. Musa aims to address issues that are facing the nation and promote a peaceful and prosperous future.
With a commitment to development, Musa envisions a future where the country experiences substantial growth and progress. His party, the PLP, has laid out comprehensive plans to address the key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and the economy. Musa believes that investing in these areas not only improves the lives of citizens but also; propels the nation toward prosperity.
Prince Coker, PDP
A seasoned politician and influential figure assume the role of Chairman and Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming elections. With his running mate, Ibrahim Jalloh, by his side, Coker aims to build on the party’s legacy of progress and unity.
Having been formed in the 1990s, the PDP established itself as a significant political force with notable achievements. Coker played a pivotal role in the party’s rise to prominence and continues to advocate for its core values of democracy, inclusivity, and social justice.
Coker’s experience extends beyond the PDP. He also served as the Chairman of the All Political Parties Association (APPA), demonstrating his ability to bridge the gaps between political factions and promote collaboration for the greater good.
Saa Henry Kabuta, UNPP
With Gabriel Samuka as his Vice Presidential Candidate. Kabuta, a Senior Advisor/Specialist in Water Quality and Nature Management at the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management in the Netherlands, has been involved as a board member of Holland-Sierra Trading, promoting trade connections between the Netherlands and Sierra Leone.
Mohamed Sowa Turay, UDM
Turay currently; serves as Chairman and Leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) Party, joined by Madam Olivette Walker as his running mate. Turay’s extensive background includes working at the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), and he previously held positions as a Social Worker at Catholic Relief Services and a CLTS facilitator with Help Salone. His involvement with the National Agency for International Migration and Development focused on the topics such as youth empowerment, employment security management (ESMS), and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives.
Jonathan Patrick Sandy, URP
Jonathan P.J. Sandy, the presidential candidate for the National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP), boasts an extensive career spanning over 25 years in promoting democratic and economic governance, justice, human rights, and the rule of law. Sandy has held various positions within the Government of Sierra Leone, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)/UNDP, the African Union, and the UN/World Bank. His expertise has focused on crisis and stabilization interventions in conflict and fragile states-across Africa, with recent involvement in the South African Development Community (SADC). Sandy’s vast experience positions him as a candidate well-versed in regional and international affairs.
Iye Kakay, ADP
She made history by becoming the first woman to be selected as the ADP’s presidential flagbearer since its establishment in 2015 by its founder, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray. With her running mate, Franklyn Kobi, Kakay aims to bring about positive change and progress in the country.
Beresford Victor Williams, ReNIP
Beresford Victor Williams has garnered attention for his vocal criticism of the government's various economic and social issues. Williams assumed leadership of the Revolutionary National Independent Party (ReNIP) on January 7th, 2018, after the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) granted the party clearance to contest the 2018 elections. Although ReNIP secured 2,555 votes nationwide, representing 0.10% of the total votes. The party did not secure any seats in Parliament.
Mohamed Jonjo, CDP
Run alongside him as his Vice Presidential Candidate is Madam Kaday Johnson. Jonjo brings valuable experience, having previously served as a Senior Advisor/Specialist in Water Quality and Nature Management at the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management in the Netherlands. Moreover, he played a vital role as a board member of Holland-Sierra Trading, fostering trade links between the Netherlands and Sierra Leone.
A View of a Part of Freetown
What is the future of Freetown? Should we give up and start thinking of a new capital? Or, can we, and should we try to salvage what's left of Freetown?
Whatever course we choose as a nation, it would require bold, visionary leadership at both central and local government levels to make any changes. Leaders need to think less politically and stop seeing people as mere 'constituencies' and votes. Because it is those political calculations that are responsible for the inaction of the leaders on many of these issues.
By Theo Edwards
The City is a Market
Freetown the F-R-E-E T-O-W-N: A sprawling slum from east to west
Leaders need to think less politically and stop seeing people as mere 'constituencies' and votes. Because it is those political calculations that are responsible for the inaction of the leaders on many of these issues.
The capital, Freetown, has turned into a sprawling slum. From east to west, it has lost shape, looking less and less like a nation’s capital. What used to be a small, beautiful city on the coast has become extremely busy and overpopulated with no Law and Order. Freetown needs to be free from its freeness; that is what this piece is about.
Establishing the problem here can be done quite effortlessly.
You only need to step out —and are met with a frenzy from virtually all directions and sources.
The city is a market. And it is looking like a slum too. Everyone is selling everywhere. In fact, the norm now is that every new building must have a shop on the ground floor, regardless of the location —commercial or residential zone.
Commercial motorbikes (Okadas) and their cousins’ three-wheelers (kekehs) scattered like an upset swarm of bees crisscrossing the roads with passengers whose life expectancy drops every time they get on one of them.
They make their own rules. In fact, they have no Rules. They can choose to drive in the opposite direction without any consideration for the law or other road users. There are Okada and Kekeh stations everywhere.
Okada and Kekeh stations everywhere
People who own restaurants and bars can install the loudest speakers and play their music way into the night without consideration for anyone or any rules. The churches and mosques are no different.
They use religion to take advantage of communities that are overly respectful of anything that carries the name of God.
Street workshops/garages are popping up everywhere, and you wonder how this is even allowed to happen when there is someone somewhere paid to stop it. Abandoned vehicles? All over the place.
There is filth everywhere. It's either piles of garbage at street corners or litter all over. Communal garbage disposal sites have all disappeared and huge new buildings have popped up where they used to be. And in Freetown today, you have no chance of shielding yourself from this disorderliness, regardless of where you live. Everyone in the city and its neighbor, the rural district, lives in a slum by default. You have no choice. Sad! but this is our reality.
How did we get here?
We inherited a beautiful city from our ancestors, and instead of improving on it and keeping what deserves preservation, we have basically undone Freetown.
We have turned it into an eyesore, and the destruction goes on as we turn Lumley Beach into a massive colony of 'baffas' and as we continue to build into the hills, leaving the landscape looking patchy -increasing the pressure on the environment, contributing to the deadly floods and mudslides that we have been seeing.
Its Citizens and, Everyone with authority should take responsibility for this mess.
Politics would not allow the leaders to make decisions that are in the interest of everyone.
They would rather let dangerous bikes take over the City. Allowing traders turn the City into a market and leave everyone to build where they want _instead of taking action to protect the residents and maintain order and peace in the nation’s capital.
The central Government introduced decentralization but has been unprepared to let go, and it seems to be locked in a perennial war with the current administration of the city. Reason? Politics.
Whether this is true or not does not really matter. What is important is that the Government and Freetown City Council have not been able to work together for the good of ‘Freetonians,’ to borrow a word from Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr.
The Mayor has recently been concentrating on a lot of environmental projects. She is working hard on heat and climate adaptation. This is important considering how fast the globe is heating up and how climate change is impacting the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people. However, we seem to have dropped the ball on the basics, including sanitation; and law and order. The Council has a set of clearly written bylaws. If we enforce half of those laws, the city would not be in this ‘dorti-kata’ and ‘chaka-chaka’ slum state.
The transport authorities and the police are also complicit because they have turned law enforcement into an enterprise. No one is safe on the roads. Police officers and road safety personnel are busy chasing bike riders all day, not to stop them from breaking the rules but for extortion. The sight of police chasing Okadas and hassling them resembles scenes from Tom and Jerry. Jokes!
All of this goes back to some very unfortunate Sierra Leonean peculiarities. We usually have zero consideration for the other person. As long as ‘ar don get sai for pak me motor car, na go ar go so.’ Whatever happens after that is somebody else’s problem. We have lowered the standards on everything—from food and quality of life to development projects and even politics. No standards. So, we could all be sitting on filth in the city and everyone—the Government, the Council, and all the authorities would be fine with it, and they would tell you, ‘We don try’. This national laisser-faire attitude affects the way we the people appreciate and appraise leadership and also influences the leaders’ behavior in office.
A lot of these issues have socioeconomic roots. People are desperate to make a living. So, they sell everything, everywhere.
There are too few jobs and opportunities for young people in the country. So, a lot of them see Okada or Kekeh as employment.
Housing is a massive problem. It is a crisis that we have not acknowledged. Everyone is desperate to build everywhere either; to escape predatory house owners or the well-to-do building of more properties. These are real everyday issues affecting working people. They are also signs that things are becoming extremely hard for people. But there has to be a balance between livelihood and sanity in the city. There also has to be due consideration for the safety and well-being of everyone living in the city. We cannot turn the Capital into a state of anarchy just because the government has failed to look after its citizens and guarantee a life of dignity.
What is the future of Freetown? Should we give up and start thinking of a new capital? Or, can we, and should we try to salvage what's left of Freetown?
Whatever course we choose as a nation, it would require bold, visionary leadership at both central and local government levels to make any changes. Leaders need to think less politically and stop seeing people as mere 'constituencies' and votes. Because it is those political calculations that are responsible for the inaction of the leaders on many of these issues.
If other small countries and cities can get it right, why can’t we?
Original Publication February 11, 2023
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr End Of Tenure Message
Pursuant to a letter from the Minister of Local Government dated 8th February 2023 instructing all Mayors, Chairpersons, and Councillors to “vacate” the Local Councils on 1st March 2023, I write to inform you that my tenure as Mayor of Freetown ends today.
Freetown City Council
March 1, 2023
Dear Freetonians
Pursuant to a letter from the Minister of Local Government dated 8th February 2023 instructing all Mayors, Chairpersons, and Councillors to “vacate” the Local Councils on 1st March 2023, I write to inform you that my tenure as Mayor of Freetown ends today. (For the record, this directive is in contravention of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 2022 which provides for local councils to be dissolved at the earlier of the dissolution of Parliament [25th April 2023] or the fifth anniversary of the first council sitting [30th May 2023]).
I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve Freetonians and to embark with you on our collective journey to #TransformFreetown. Yesterday, in a Press Conference at the Freetown City Council, I presented the Transform Freetown Four-Year Report which details our interventions and progress made between January 2022 and January 2023. A copy of the report is attached and copies of the First Year, Second Year, and Third Year Transform Freetown Reports can be accessed here https://fcc.gov.sl. I am excited about our achievements over the course of my tenure despite the many challenges I encountered personally and by the Freetown City Council as an institution.
#TransformFreetown is about transforming lives. Yesterday I was grateful to receive surprise visits and gifts from ordinary Freetonians, market women, and street sweepers, who gave moving testimonies about the 1000s of jobs created during my tenure and their own experiences of personal economic empowerment, growth, and development.
Yesterday afternoon was spent in a fun-filled farewell event with the FCC Staff during which I handed over to Chief Administrator Festus Kallay the 3 decorative mayoral chains as a symbol of the authority of the office of the mayor. It was wonderful to use that opportunity to inform FCC staff that after over 3 years of working on this, the FCC salary harmonization process had finally been completed, and a transparent system of salary bands that objectively reflect qualifications, experience, and length of service was being implemented for all staff from February 2023!
Celebrations of the end of my tenure continued in the evening with a cocktail event. I was so pleased to share the celebrations with All People’s Congress (APC) Party Flagbearer Dr. Samura Kamara, US Ambassador David Reimer, UK High Commissioner Lisa Chesney, Irish Ambassador Claire Buckley, World Bank Country Manager Abdu Muwonge, Tony Blair Institute Country Lead Mariama Anthony-Williams, EU Delegation Representative Serena Bertaina and many others development partners and stakeholders.
One of the highlights of the evening was a performance by the children from the FCC Congo Water Market Early Learning Adventure Center. These bright, confident, and assertive children of the Congo Water market women warmed my heart and are themselves a true representation of the work we have done to #TransformLives!
Yesterday was also an opportunity to thank God and to thank my family who have been incredibly supportive of me and without whom I could not have hoped to succeed. I was pleasantly surprised and deeply moved by a video that was shown at the event in which my mother shared her perspectives on the work that I have done and the impact it has had on the lives of others. (The video is attached below.)
Thanks must also go to the APC party and particularly to Former President HE Ernest Bai Koroma for entrusting the APC Mayoral symbol to me in 2018. I am grateful to the APC not only for the symbol but also for their support throughout my tenure.
#TransformFreetown is a collective action so my deepest thanks are extended to the FCC Councillors and Staff, members of the Mayors Delivery Unit (past and present), our development partners both in the country and abroad, to the central government, and most of all to Freetonians.
I leave office today grateful to have had the opportunity to serve, impact lives, raise awareness about climate change and design and implement interventions to address this major risk and other challenges in our city, and develop and embed systems and processes at the Freetown City Council that provide a foundation for sustainable development.
May I use this opportunity to wish Freetonians and all Sierra Leoneans a peaceful and democratic 24th June 2023 elections and a bright and prosperous future for our beloved city and nation. May God bless us all.
©️Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE