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

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

What a smoke screen!

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

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

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

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

Instead of going after the drug kingpin.

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

YAME Digital

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

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2025

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

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

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

HONORING THE LEADERSHIP DRIVING CHANGE

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

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

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

THE UNSEEN HEROES: CIVIL SOCIETY AND THIRD SECTOR CHAMPIONS

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

We pay special tribute to:

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

• Road Safe Salone (RSSL)

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

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

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

A NATION IN MOURNING: REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS

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

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

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

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

• The breadwinners whose deaths plunged households into poverty.

• The dedicated workers whose employers lost invaluable talent.

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

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

When a breadwinner dies, a family collapses.

When a skilled worker dies, an employer suffers.

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

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

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

A TIME FOR REFLECTION, A CALL TO ACTION

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

This year’s commemoration must inspire:

• Safer roads

• Stricter enforcement

• More awareness and education

• Stronger partnerships

• A national cultural shift toward responsible road use

Every life saved is a victory for Sierra Leone.

IN THEIR MEMORY, WE RISE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Marampa Times Feature – Informing, Inspiring, Advocating.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

YAME Digital

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RELATED

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

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

READ

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

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): Sierra Leone FY26

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

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

Write-up by Basita Michael | @MichaelBasita

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

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

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

Transformative progress demands honest focus on these challenges.

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

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

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

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

Inside Sierra Leone's Hospitals and Clinics.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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RELATED

Sierra Leone Government Misallocating Resources on Ineffective Initiatives

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

READ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is this how you should get your living

To kill humanity in the living?

With a spate of leg ulcers piling

And with the show of indifference very telling

And irreversible addiction from one generation to another, spilling

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

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

As they sleepwalk, they thrust dagger into their homies

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

And the puppies blamed for the bite of the bulldogs

To the material proceeds the society gives warm hugs

Even as the future stands to face many clogs

Shelves of pharmacies now relish holding anti youthful drugs

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

And treat them like public bedbugs

For your living, you sell dope instead of hope

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

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

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

You narrow your pathway down this steep, dark slope

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

Hopelessness, irony, or disillusionment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

END UPDATE

YAME Digital

U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan D. Hunt Resigns

U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan D. Hunt

U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan D. Hunt has submitted his resignation to the White House effective September 17, citing personal reasons related to family medical considerations, and will not be returning to Freetown. Current Chargé d’Affaires Jared Yancey will continue to lead the Embassy.

“US Embassy in Sierra Leone | September 18, 2025 | Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2025”

— Source: U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan D. Hunt Resigns

The U.S. Embassy in Freetown announces the resignation of U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan D. Hunt. Ambassador Hunt submitted his resignation to the White House effective September 17, 2025, citing personal reasons related to family medical considerations, and will not be returning to Freetown. Current Chargé d’Affaires Jared Yancey will continue to lead the Embassy.

Ambassador Hunt completed two years of service in Sierra Leone. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to strengthen the U.S.-Sierra Leone partnership, advancing shared goals of health, security, and economic prosperity.

In a message to Embassy staff, Ambassador Hunt shared:

“I have loved every moment of my time in Sierra Leone and deeply admire the work you all do to advance the U.S.-Sierra Leone relationship.”

The United States remains committed to its partnership with Sierra Leone and will continue to work closely with the government and people of Sierra Leone to build on the strong foundation established during Ambassador Hunt’s tenure.

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For media inquiries, please contact U.S. Embassy Media Coordinator Alhassan Jalloh: jalloha@state.gov

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RELATED

“The power plant, the Western Area Power Generation Project, will be located in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, and is intended to help address the country’s rolling blackouts and expand its national electricity system to accommodate additional renewable energy solutions in the future.”

— Source: — U.S Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone in a Press Release “UPDATE: June 18, 2024”

US Embassy Freetown – Press Release: US Government Signs US$480 Million Compact with Sierra Leone to Transform Energy Sector

DFC, Sierra Leone Promote Access to Reliable Energy

READ

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September 18, 2025: The Africanist Press— U.S. Taxpayer Funds May Be Missing in Sierra Leone

Transaction records from the United States International Development Finance Corporation

Transaction records from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) reveal that hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer money have been issued as loans to various multinational corporations for the construction of a power plant in Sierra Leone, which has yet to be built.

Brian Hunt in video at the time

The DFC reportedly committed over $600 million to the Maada Bio administration for the development, construction, and operation of a 105 MW combined cycle thermal power plant, along with its related infrastructure, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This project was intended to address the electricity crisis affecting Freetown and the surrounding communities. However, despite these substantial funding commitments, construction has not commenced in the past four years.

According to project documents and corporate financial records obtained by Africanist Press, the DFC awarded these funds in multiple tranches between fiscal years 2021 and 2024 during the Biden-Harris administration. The first disbursement of $217 million occurred in 2021 under Project ID 9000093682. In 2022, the DFC provided an additional $50 million in political risk insurance (Project ID 9000104835). Furthermore, in 2024, an additional $292 million (Project ID 9000116894) and $120 million (Project ID 9000116916) were allocated for the power plant project. In total, at least $679 million has been committed over these four years to fund the construction of the power plant, yet no construction has taken place in Sierra Leone.

The pressing questions are: Where are these funds, and why hasn’t the power plant been constructed, especially since its completion was scheduled for 2023?

Attached to this update are excerpts from the DFC-funded projects database that provide evidence of funding for the construction of the Freetown Power Plant in Sierra Leone, covering the period from 2021 to 2024. This evidence is part of over 25,000 documents collected by Africanist Press as part of our ongoing investigation into corruption in the energy sector, specifically related to the Western Area Power Generation Project in Sierra Leone.

Stay tuned!

Followers' comments on The Africanist Press Facebook page.

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“Ambassador Hunt Gone: Will Sierra Leone Get Another USA Ambassador?”

— Source: The exit of Ambassador Hunt puts Sierra Leone in a precarious position with many unanswered questions | Prof. Dr. Prince Hycy Bull | Sep 18, 2025

ICE Detroit Removes Suspected War Criminal and Former High-ranking Coup Leader to Sierra Leone

War criminal and criminal illegal alien Charles Emile Mbayo

September 5, 2025 Detroit, MI | Enforcement and Removal, Human Rights Violators

DETROIT — ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations removed suspected war criminal and criminal illegal alien Charles Emile Mbayo from the United States to Sierra Leone on Aug. 20. Mbayo is a former high-ranking member of the National Provisioning Ruling Council, a military junta that ruled Sierra Leone after overthrowing President Joseph Momoh in a coup on April 29, 1992.

Following the coup, the National Provisioning Ruling Council struggled to control Sierra Leone against invasion from the Revolutionary United Front, and news of coup plots spread across the capital of Freetown. On Dec. 29, 1992, the National Provisioning Ruling Council extrajudicially killed approximately 29 victims, including former government officials and others accused of planning a coup against the regime. Victims who were not already detained in prison were arrested; several were tortured, and all were summarily executed and their bodies buried in a mass grave.

Following several changes in government, Mbayo entered the United States on Jan. 9, 1998, on an F-1 student visa. He later applied to become a permanent resident, but his application was denied in July 2023.

“Our officers continue to effect the removal of alleged human rights violators to their home country,” said ERO Detroit Field Office Director Kevin Raycraft. “ERO officers are committed to public safety and national security, and removing this individual from the United States serves both those priorities.”

Mbayo has been in ICE custody since ICE Homeland Security Investigations arrested him on June 30, 2025.

“HSI is committed to ensuring that there is no safe haven in the United States for those tied to these horrific crimes,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “We will continue to investigate these allegations with the assistance of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center to seek both accountability and justice in these cases.”

The HSI-led Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate and prosecute human rights abusers in the U.S., including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. Since 2003, the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center has issued more than 79,000 lookouts for potential perpetrators of human rights abuses and stopped over 390 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the U.S.

Members of the public who have information about potential former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or the online tip form. They can also email HRV.ICE@ice.dhs.gov.

ICE.gov News Release

The Betrayal: Or Was It?

The controversy has intensified debate on political decorum and internal dynamics within Sierra Leone’s ruling party. Critics described her actions as a breach of protocol and disrespectful.

The recent video, which has gone viral and out of control online, depicting SLPP members of parliament singing and jeering at the first lady as she walked into the Chamber of Parliament during the state opening ceremony, has evoked a plethora of critical questions and humorous views from Sierra Leoneans. Why did she receive such embarrassment from her party members?

First Lady Fatima Jabbie Bio

During the State Opening of Sierra Leone's Parliament in August 2025, a noteworthy incident occurred involving First Lady Fatima Maada Bio. As she entered the Parliament chamber, some Members of Parliament mockingly chanted phrases such as "You coco roast oh" and "D Mami e coco burn." Observers interpreted these remarks as sarcastic jabs directed at the First Lady, particularly in light of her perceived political setbacks following the recent internal elections of the Sierra Leone People's Party.

"Cocoa Roast!" Krio adage meaning yours is better off. But when used mockingly, it implies “you’re burnt!". In any case, “hint know en master kaba slot know en missus"(The hint knows its master) As the chaos in the SLPP camp rages on, na watch en listen we get. Let the music play

— Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK) (@JFKSalone) August 9, 2025

In a notable deviation from established protocols, Fatima Bio decided to remain seated as President Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh entered the chamber. Her choice to stay seated, despite instructions for attendees to stand, raises questions about the symbolism and implications of her actions during this significant political event.

The First Lady was also seen wearing earphones during the President’s keynote speech, which sparked speculation about her disengagement or possible tensions within the First Family.

Fatima Bio shares her side of the story in her own words.

As a politician, she recently faced a significant setback when nearly all the members of her camp who were competing for national positions with the support of the first lady lost. Her camp was unable to establish authority and presence within the party's national executive.

The Betrayal: Or Was It?

The First Lady downplayed the theatrics of SLPP MPs in parliament and attributed the behavior to a few older men who envy her. She stated that it is not the SLPP party itself that is against her. While there may be some truth to her assertion, she should be concerned that members of her own party would resort to jeering at her during such a significant state function.

Overconfident or delusional? Was it betrayal, or was it not? If there's anything she can learn from this latest setback, it is that 'politics na dorti game.'

She deserves an Oscar for this 'Salvation.'

YAME Digital

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Historical Evolution of Political Manifestation at the Convention.

How it all started.

“I was treated like a street woman in the Well of Parliament.”

— Source: The First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, vented out displeasure.

However, there are questions over her conduct to the point where citizens are demanding that parliament summon her for contempt.

Twitter users are not having it with some notable responses. Her craziness exposed.

‘Fatima Maada Bio: A First Lady or a Political Provocateur?’ ~ Albert David @ADkamara1

In the annals of Sierra Leone's democratic journey, few figures have stirred as much controversy, division, and unease as the current First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio. Once celebrated for her advocacy on gender issues, she now finds herself at the center of a storm of political aggression, ethical breaches, and troubling authoritarian tendencies.

Fatima Bio's recent declaration of herself as a politician on social media was not merely symbolic; it marked a shift from ceremonial influence to direct political maneuvering. Her rhetoric, including the chilling invocation of "mob justice" against critics of the SLPP Government, is not only undemocratic but dangerously incendiary. In a country still healing from the wounds of civil unrest, such language is not just irresponsible, it is reckless.

Her directive to block the opposition APC from establishing a party office in Kailahun District is a blatant affront to political pluralism. Democracy thrives on dissent, not on the silencing of opposition. Yet under her influence, several prominent female voices, Femi Claudius-Cole, Zainab Sheriff, Hawa Hunt, and so on, have faced arrest, intimidation, and unlawful incarcerations. These are women who dared to speak, to protest, to challenge. Their treatment is a stain on the nation's conscience.

Perhaps most disturbing is the First Lady's silence in the face of state-sponsored violence against women. A female protester was beaten and molested inside the State House and later taken into custody. Another woman was shot dead by state security at the APC headquarters during a press conference. These are not mere political incidents; they are human tragedies. And yet, Fatima Bio, who once championed women's rights, has not issued a single condemnation. Her silence is not neutrality; it is complicity.

Her orchestration of SLPP lower-level elections excludes female representation, while ensuring her male loyalists were elected, speaks volumes about her political ambition. The suggestion that she is positioning herself for a presidential bid in 2028 is not inherently problematic, but the methods she employs are. Undermining democratic norms, attacking party stalwarts like Prince Harding and David Sengeh, and sowing division within her own party are not the marks of visionary leadership. They are the tactics of a political opportunist.

Her conduct during the State Opening of Parliament, refusing to stand for the Vice President, Speaker, and even her husband, the President, while wearing earphones during his speech, was not just a breach of protocol. It was a symbolic rejection of institutional respect. Even SLPP MPs, her supposed allies, responded with chants of disapproval. So, Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, here is the question that every Sierra Leonean, especially every woman, deserves to ask you: How do you reconcile your ambition to lead a nation with your repeated failure to uphold the ethical, inclusive, and respectful standards that leadership demands?

Leadership is not about dominance. It is about dignity. It is not about silencing critics. It is about listening. And it is certainly not about political bullying. It is about building bridges.

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“Lamentation of Fatima Madaa Bio: The SLPP Puts the Final Nail on the Coffin of Feminism in SaLone.”

— Source: Prof. Dr. Prince Hycy Bull

The Systematic Marginalization of Women Under the SLPP Must End.

Since 2018, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has systematically marginalized women from various sectors of the country, often under the guise of politics and the law. Instead of fostering gender equality and empowerment, the party has overseen the steady deconstruction of female leadership and influence in public life.

From respected journalist and politician Sylvia Olayinka Blyden to the former Auditor General Lara Taylor-Pearce, from former Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr to health expert and administrator Femi Claudius-Cole, the pattern is unmistakable. These women have faced intimidation, legal targeting, and public vilification — not because they failed in service, but seemingly because they dared to serve with distinction.

The most recent example, Hawa Tombo, faced intense scrutiny and ridicule, and once again, much of the public remained silent — complicit in apathy. Emboldened by this silence, the SLPP has now turned inward, targeting Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady herself — once seen as the symbolic face of feminism within the current administration.

This descent into political cannibalism, where even the party’s most visible female figure is not spared, reveals the depth of the problem. It’s no longer just about opposition politics — it’s about erasing female agency, voice, and visibility from national leadership.

This cannot go unchallenged.

All Sierra Leoneans, especially women, must recognize what is at stake. The issue is no longer partisan. It is a national crisis of representation, equity, and justice. The time for silence has passed. The time for action — real, unified, and fearless — is now.

A Call to Action for the Women of the SLPP — and All Women of Sierra Leone

To every woman within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP): the time has come to reflect on what your continued allegiance means. The party has shown, time and again, that it has no sustainable vision for women in leadership — no commitment to genuine gender equality. From the silencing of outspoken women to the recent targeting of First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, it is now painfully clear: the SLPP does not protect or uplift its women — it marginalizes them.

This is no longer about political loyalty. It is about survival, dignity, and purpose.

I call upon all women in the SLPP to resign and join a new, united front — with Femi Claudius Cole, a woman of principle, courage, and vision — to build a strong, independent feminist movement in Sierra Leone.

We cannot continue to normalize silence. We cannot watch our sisters be humiliated, dismissed, or erased.

Women of Sierra Leone, this is the moment to rise. To speak. To organize. To lead. HOHAJOME! (Your time is now.)

When a Dutch Drug Kingpin Needed a New Base, Sierra Leone Welcomed Him With Open Arms

Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most wanted men, quietly insinuated himself into the lives and businesses of the country’s elite

European Magazine New Lines has detailed how Europe's Most Wanted Drug Lord Jos Leijdekkers corrupted the corridors of power to engage in his cocaine business in Sierra Leone.

Leijdekkers is reportedly enjoying high-level protection in Sierra Leone.

Leijdekkers is alleged to have potentially financed luxury goods and vehicles for senior government officials, hinting at a web of financial influence and quid pro quo arrangements. West Africa, including Sierra Leone, is identified as a major transit point for cocaine smuggled from Latin America to Europe.

Illustration by Joanna Andreasson for New Lines Magazine. (Photo credit: Erik Cleves Kristensen Creative commons)

The alleged high-level protection has allowed Leijdekkers to evade European authorities, despite being sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison for smuggling over 7 tons of cocaine. Evidence of these ties surfaced in January 2025 with photos and video footage appearing to show Leijdekkers at a religious service alongside Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio. Sources suggest Leijdekkers may be married to the president's daughter, further strengthening his position within the country's power structure.

“READ the article in detail, allegations about how convicted Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers seemingly leveraged corruption within Sierra Leone to facilitate his cocaine trafficking operations.”

— Source: New Lines Magazine | July 28, 2025

Read the article in full.

When a Dutch Drug Kingpin Needed a New Base, Sierra Leone Welcomed Him With Open Arms

Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most wanted men, quietly insinuated himself into the lives and businesses of the country’s elite.

READ Article: New Lines Magazine

Sierra Leone Has Estimated Hydrocarbon Reserves of Approximately 30 Billion Recoverable Barrels of Oil Equivalent, According to a Recently Concluded Round of Seismic Research

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African countries are increasingly making headlines for their efforts to develop local oil and gas reserves, despite significant opposition from foreign environmental organizations and international lenders. The most recent country to join the oil and gas sector is Sierra Leone, which has ambitious plans for its hydrocarbon resources.

According to oilprice.com, a leading online energy news site that provides extensive coverage of the global oil, gas, and broader energy sectors, including alternative energy and geopolitics, the reserve is estimated to be worth over US $2.31 trillion.

Earlier this month, Sierra Leone concluded a round of seismic research, hoping the findings would attract international oil companies after several discoveries that failed to yield commercial volumes of hydrocarbons.

U.S. Anadarko and Russia’s Lukoil explored the country’s waters but did not make any significant discoveries, although Anadarko found potentially commercial oil at several offshore sites around a decade ago.

Sierra Leone is set to launch a new licensing round later this year, based on the outcomes of a recent survey. ‘We are currently reprocessing that data with our multi-client partners, TGS, and we hope to present something to the market in October,’ stated the head of the country’s Petroleum Director General, as reported by Reuters last week.

Foday Mansaray noted that several major oil companies, including Shell, Hess Corp., Murphy Oil, and Brazil’s Petrobras, had purchased the new data.

An estimated 30 billion recoverable barrels of oil equivalent exist, with about 3 billion barrels located in a single discovery made by Anadarko over 10 years ago: the Vega prospect.

The development of the prospect has stalled since its discovery, as the company determined, based on early exploration, that it was not commercially viable. The same issue has occurred with Anadarko’s three other discoveries and Lukoil’s Savannah discovery.

Mansaray conveyed positive expectations for the future of the nation’s oil and gas sector following the discovery.

This story is still developing, and updates will follow as new information becomes available.

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

ABOUT: Oilprice.com is owned by Advanced Media Solutions, with James Stafford as its founder and publisher. It is a leading online energy news site that offers extensive coverage of the global oil and gas sectors, as well as broader energy topics, including alternative energy and geopolitics. The site is widely recognized for its analysis and reporting and is often cited by major financial news outlets such as CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq, and Fortune. Oilprice.com is generally regarded as mostly factual in its reporting, with a focus on energy industry news, prices, and analysis.

Authorities Seek 'Africa-hiding' Drug Lord Jos Leijdekkers' US$250m Wealth

Dutch prosecutors say they are seeking to confiscate a record 221 million euros ($253 million) from one of Europe's most notorious drug barons, thought to be hiding in an African nation.

“BREAKING NEWS: The Rotterdam court seized the illegal assets amassed by Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos” or “Chubby Jos,” from cocaine trafficking and gold purchases — but left out unproven claims about luxury goods.”

— Source: CRIME UPDATE: July 14, 2025

https://t.co/H8Xsf1jmkc

Drug baron “Bolle Jos” ordered to pay €96m to the Dutch state -

— Yame.space (@SpaceYame) July 15, 2025

Notorious drug lord known as "Chubby Jos" has had $112 million seized by the court as an international manhunt continues.

The notorious European drug lord. Jos Leijdekkers, also known as "Bolle Jos" or "Chubby Jos," is believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone.

Jos Leijdekkers, also known as "Bolle Jos" or "Chubby Jos," was seen with the daughter of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio

The illegal assets were amassed through cocaine trafficking and gold purchases, although unproven claims regarding luxury goods were not included.

Leijdekkers did not attend the hearing and was unrepresented. The court confirmed that the case was heard in absentia.

With today's ruling, the court has determined the amount of money Leijdekkers earned from criminal activities. The total amounts to nearly 127 million euros, of which he must pay over 96 million euros to the State.

END UPDATE

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JUNE 2, 2025: Dutch prosecutors said Monday they were seeking to confiscate a record 221 million euros ($253 million) from one of Europe's most notorious drug barons, thought to be hiding in Sierra Leone.

'Africa-hiding' drug lord Jos Leijdekker; aka. Bolle Jos | Chubby Jos | Daniel Ernst | Umar Sheriff

The illegal assets amassed by Jos Leijdekkers, also known as "Bolle Jos" or "Chubby Jos", were proceeds from cocaine trafficking, as well as purchases of gold and luxury items, the public prosecutors said.

Leijdekkers is thought to have made 114 million euros from 14 cocaine shipments over less than a year.

According to intercepted communications, the 33-year-old also spent 47 million euros on 975 kilogrammes of gold over less than six months.

Real estate and luxury goods

The prosecutors alleged that the kingpin also bought real estate and apartments in Dubai.

Luxury goods, including two Bentley cars, designer bags, jewellery, and watches, were also added to the illicit assets total, bringing the total to 221 million euros.

Jos Leijdekkers (aka. Umar Sheriff), also known as ‘Bolle Jos’ or ‘Chubby Jos’, is believed to be hiding over 4000 miles away in Sierra Leone

"This is... only a first step towards tracing Leijdekkers' assets," the prosecutors said.

A Rotterdam court last June sentenced Leijdekkers in absentia to 24 years in prison for ordering a murder and organising cocaine shipments.

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Most Read from YAME Digital: SIERRA LEONE

Mar 7: Netherlands Most Wanted Cocaine Kingpin Hiding in Sierra Leone

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200,000-euro reward for information on his whereabouts

He is on Europol's most-wanted list, with the European police body offering a 200,000-euro reward for information leading to his arrest.

In January, Dutch authorities said they were "absolutely certain" he was hiding out in Sierra Leone.

Images showing Leijdekkers in the company of senior Sierra Leonean officials have sparked speculation that the cocaine lord has cosied up to the West African country's political class.

Open Letter in Response to Announced Plans to Divide Freetown Into Two Cities

With two local councils

Whilst the powers granted to the President in Section 2 (2) of the Local Government Act to “declare any area as a locality,” it is also clear that subsection (3) states that you, the Minister of Finance, and the Electoral Commissioner shall, in making any recommendation to him, consider population and population density, as well as geographic contiguity, topography and the future growth or expansion of the area.

The decision has faced criticism from some local officials, including the Mayor, who argue that the split may be disruptive and has not been sufficiently discussed with the public.

The government believes splitting the city will enhance governance and enable more efficient urban management and public service delivery. This move is part of a broader effort to decentralize administration across Sierra Leone, with similar changes planned for other districts and localities.

Open letter in response to announced plans to divide Freetown into two cities from the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, OBE.

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“I am pleased to inform Freetonians that the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs will be holding a #PublicConsultation on the proposed plans to divide Freetown into two cities with two local councils.”

— Source: UPDATE: September 16, 2025 – The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Ahead of the public consultation, I am re-sharing the open letter that I wrote to the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs on 3rd June 2025. At the date of the letter and as stated therein, Freetown City Council had not received any of its 2025 budget allocations for devolved functions. Kindly note that on 18th August 2025, Freetown City Council received the budget allocation for the final quarter of 2024. A detailed breakdown of those transferred funds is also attached. As at today, 15th September 2025, none of the 2025 budget allocation has yet been transferred to Freetown City Council and the other local councils of Sierra Leone.

I am pleased to inform Freetonians that the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs will be holding a #PublicConsultation on the proposed plans to divide Freetown into two cities with two local councils. The public consultation will be held at the Freetown City Council… pic.twitter.com/c0PT22TrIY

— Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE (@yakisawyerr) September 16, 2025

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“For those arguing that Freetown’s population is too big and therefore the city needs to be divided, the reality is that Freetown is one of the smallest capital cities in Africa, both in terms of population and physical size!”

— Source: List of African C40 Cities ~ Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr | 17 September 2025

For those arguing that Freetown’s population is too big and therefore the city needs to be divided, the reality is that Freetown is one of the smallest capital cities in Africa, both in terms of population and physical size! In the list of African C40 Cities below, it is also… pic.twitter.com/3qmw0l93lo

— Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE (@yakisawyerr) September 17, 2025

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**Update: September 18, 2025** Preliminary reports coming in from Freetown, Sierra Leone.

"What a SUCCESSFUL Town Hall Meeting. The overwhelming MAJORITY (98.9%) rejected the splitting of Freetown into Three Administrative Councils.

The Meeting ended abruptly when the People erupted with the chanting "NO DIVISION, NAR WAN COUNCIL WI WANT".

The Minister and Team exited The Hall stealthily, and The People continue their chants."

This is a clear message: Freetownians will not be taken for a ride, as speaker after speaker constructively spoke against the planned division.

The event unfolding— We attended the meeting at City Hall, and the response from the Krios and residents of Freetown sent the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs and his entourage scurrying stealthily out of the Hall midway through his presentation. Our side was ably represented by Ms. Nanette Thomas, Bishop Temple, Hannah Taylor, Dr. Staneala Beckley, with support from Samuel Valcarcel, Raymond De Souza George, Alhaji Gibril Cole, and the multitude who have Freetown at heart and call it home.

Only four questions were allowed before the hall erupted into the popular chants "Wi nɔr dae gree," "No divishun", and the most popular one by Dr. Oloh, "Yu coco ros oh, yu coco ros oh, ow yu manaj sotay coco ros."

Suddenly, placards sprang up around the hall spontaneously just before the last speaker's warning to the Minister and entourage not to provoke the people.

During his presentation, the Minister stated that the 2022 Local Government Act allows the President, based on the advice of the Minister of Finance and the Electoral Commissioner, to establish councils. The law does not require consultation with the public. This revelation caused an uproar in the hall, as the people's frustration had been building for some time, especially with the presence of a significant number of OSD personnel. The Minister, along with his entourage, the Mayor, and all the security forces present, were taken by surprise. Although the Mayor initially succeeded in appealing for calm, his efforts ultimately failed to quell the public's anger after his provocative remarks.

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Oppose the Plan to Divide Freetown into Two Cities with Two Local Councils—

The Issue

The proposed division would negatively impact the inhabitants of Freetown and the descendants of the present-day Freetown. It will create a tale of two cities- East End City, the poor & congested, and the West End, the rich and good. Which city will be the new capital? The old Freetown or the new city? Socio-economic divisions breed discontent and destabilization.

Developing Situation at Kissi Teng as Heavily Armed Guinean Soldiers Occupy Border Point

BBC correspondent Umaru Fofana in Freetown provided insight into the history and current border incursion.

Tensions in the eastern Sierra Leonean chiefdom of Kissi Teng have escalated as heavily armed Guinean forces have taken control of multiple border crossing points, including the long-disputed Yenga area. This aggressive maneuver raises serious concerns for the region's stability and security.

The move by the Guinean soldiers has restricted civilian movement and triggered widespread security concerns as residents were reportedly caught off guard by the sudden military presence, and the closure of several key border crossings — the Sierra Leone Immigration Base in Pengu Bengu, Sokoma, Kpongoma, Payluan, Kpemalu, and Kpengbakordu.

What happened to the Guinea, Sierra Leone Border over the years, and how it manifested in the 2023 takeover of Yenga Town by Guinean Soldiers as Sierra Leone soldiers watched helplessly.

Protecting our land borders – a priority for parliament.

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READ: Footnote by Victor Ako Mengot, Consultant on ECOWAS Trade Facilitation & Joint Border Post Security & Management.

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Local officials and residents alike expressed shock and confusion over the sudden turn of events and called on the government to act swiftly to protect the lives and rights of affected Sierra Leonean citizens. 

The lack of a solid border and border security apparatus allows for cross-border incursion and illicit actions, such as the drug and arms trade, and human trafficking.

The Yenga diplomacy during the Maada Bio presidency, and earlier on.

What came of this meeting?

“UPDATE: May 5, 2025: Sylvia Blyden’s comments on the situation in Yenga and the response from the Sierra Leone government. Listen!”

— Social and political implications: The SLPP Government propaganda and lies.

It can be recalled that there has been controversy over Yenga in recent times due to the Guinean occupation of that Sierra Leone territory.

Meanwhile, Dr. Blyden's broadcast gave a detailed historical perspective about Yenga from 1994 to date. Below is the correct factual timeline of events concerning the Guinean occupation of Yenga according to Dr. Blyden:

• 1994-2012: Yenga was under Guinean military occupation.

• 2012-2020: Yenga was totally free of Guinean occupation, especially after 2013 when the last Guinean war tank was finally removed.

• 2020-Date: Yenga is back under Guinean military occupation.

Towards the end of April 2025, there was a recent upsurge in instabilities within Yenga that led to a host of vulnerable residents fleeing from Yenga due to aggression from the foreign Guinean troops.

©️Awareness Times Newspaper (06/05/25)

WARNING to the Ministry of Information & Civic Education (MoICE), Chernoh Alpha Bah, to immediately retract their claim that citizens who fled can safely go back to Yenga because, according to the LIARS of this LYING GOVERNMENT, the

_'...Sierra Leone Army is inside Yenga now and will be able to secure them from Guinean soldiers.'_

That's a shameless LIE from a Government that lacks self-respect, as displayed by their official Spokespersons.

Guinea Military Barracks in YENGA | COURTESY: Awareness Times: May 24, 2024 archive

Sierra Leone's 64th Anniversary: 'Failing With Confidence'

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April 27, 2025, will mark the 64th anniversary of Sierra Leone's independence from British colonial rule on April 27, 1961.

Deliberate wrongs inflicted on the people of Sierra Leone by our two lead political parties, the SLPP and the APC, have brought our people into deep suffering and decline, and our once bright country has been dragged down into abject backwardness and darkness.

The chaotic situation seems endless, filled with one disaster after another.

“Dr. Prince Hyce Bull’s Reflection on Sierra Leone at 64.”

— Source: In Video

Both parties have a long and clear history of plunging Sierra Leone into severe poverty, ongoing hardships, widespread unemployment, and significant environmental degradation. They have consistently misled their unsuspecting supporters and voters with kindergarten tricks and false promises. And routinely treat voters as fools.

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Most Read from YAME Digital: 

Our country continues to struggle to find a path to prosperity.

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Corruption and Division!

Neither party is fit to govern post-cocaine, post-tribal Sierra Leone. The leaders of both parties have shown pettiness and foolish tribalism merely for selfish reasons.

Sierra Leone needs a clean start, a fresh beginning. Otherwise, the worst abuses during the past 63+ years would most certainly reappear in more vicious forms!

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Listen to what President Julius Maada Bio has to say on the country's 64th anniversary.

The speech that lacks substance.

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The Question Is: What Has Been the Cost?

Dr. Samura Kamara, 2023 Presidential Candidate, All People's Congress (APC) Party, 64th Independence Anniversary Address.

“Fellow Sierra Leoneans and Friends of our beloved Country.”

— Source: Dr. Samura Kamara | Sunday, 27 April 2025

Today, as we mark 64 years since we first raised our flag in freedom, we must ask ourselves, not just how far we have come, but why we have not come further.

Too many of the dreams of 1961 have been either delayed or denied. The hopes of our forefathers, to build a peaceful, united, prosperous, and dignified nation, have been choked, not by fate, but largely by the failures and poison of our subsequent partisan politics and leadership. For decades, the destiny of Sierra Leone has been hijacked by self-interest, political tribalism and regionalism, and short-sighted governance. We have accommodated politicians and leaders prioritizing power over people, party over country, and personal ambition over national purpose.

The question is: what has been the cost?

Our hearts are heavy and shaken. Families, homes, tribes, communities, and institutions have been torn apart in the interest of self and party politics. Instead of offering the quality of objectivity, reason, and tolerance, the peculiarity of contemporary party politics in Sierra Leone is characterized by a frenzy of greed, selfishness, opportunism, division, segregation, envy, and hate.

The promise of independence, namely, peace, democracy, dignity, and prosperity, has been dimmed. Our nation has faltered many times and over, witnessing a significant decline in governance, economic progress, and social justice. Economic stagnation, sticky abject poverty, and eroded public trust have become our reality. The aspirations of our youth, the architects of our future, have been rudely punctuated by an uncontrollable drug menace, while the dreams of our mothers and fathers, and the future of our under-five children, hang in the balance.

We feel it in the communities: divided by political colors, instead of converging in a national character, in national colours, and our national pledge.

We suffer it in our institutions: weakened by executive capture, favoritism, corruption, and cycles of revenge, instead of reform for a path to excellence and national responsibility.

We endure it in the daily struggles of ordinary Sierra Leoneans, who know that their hardship is not inevitable - it is man-made.

And, despite these painful truths, many of our political leaders remain defiant and in constant denial, while the rest of the country continues to suffer and slip farther and farther backward.

But you, our people, resilient as ever, have endured the hardship with patience. But patience has a limit, and must never be mistaken for acceptance. This is why on June 24, 2023, you, the people, spoke unequivocally and chose a new path.

The June 24, 2023, elections were a clarion call, demanding democratic change through the ballot box. The will of the people, recognized by the international community, was clear. It was a loud and determined, decisive victory for a new democratic direction. Sinfully, this was blatantly denied by the Chief Electoral Commissioner and the ECSL. Consequently, the continued refusal by the Bio regime to accept reality and to honor this mandate of the people has plunged our nation into uncertainty. It has continued to undermine any attempt by the people to advance forward and make their lives and livelihoods better.

But I believe in Sierra Leone. I believe in the strength of its people, in their resilience, and in their unyielding desire for a better tomorrow. And I believe that the future can be different if we choose it to be.

Democracy is not a privilege. It is a right. Its principles and practices are sacred, and these provide a solid rock on which to build a shared future. Therefore, the legitimacy of political leadership flows from the consent of the governed, and no individual is above the sovereign WILL of the people. Let us therefore avoid untold strife and write a new chapter of democratic practices and statesmanship, for generations to emulate.

In this context, let me now speak directly to those courageous men and women across our nation, young and old, who continue to believe in electoral and democratic justice. To all who have stood firm, spoken truth, and carried hope in your hearts, I want you to know this. Your voices have not been in vain. Though the wheels of justice may appear to be turning slowly, they are still turning. Though progress may feel delayed, it cannot be denied. I appeal to you all to continue to remain patient, peaceful, and steadfast. Justice has a timetable of its own, but it always arrives. And when it does arrive, it will vindicate those who chose the path of truth over deliberate denial and silence; integrity and rectitude over dishonesty and convenience.

As we reset Sierra Leone, we must now rise above the politics that have divided us and distracted us. We must reject the culture of "us versus them”, of “I and I alone and no one else”. Instead, we must embrace the spirit of "all of us, and for all of Sierra Leone", of “my Sierra Leone, my responsibility.” The time has come to put country first and above self, to put national progress above narrow political sentiments, truth and reality above personal convenience. It is also time to eradicate the seeming practice of privatizing political parties as the exclusive property of a certain political order, or of powerful individuals, or of a group of select persons. Democratically, a political party is the property of all its members and those who look up to it as an instrument for positive change. Thus, any sustainable unity within a political party or between political parties must be an embodiment of all members and the country as a whole. A true political leader must have the love, carrying capacity, and will to serve all shapes of people.

Let us choose unity over division, discipline over disorder, and a shared national purpose over narrow agendas. Let us build a Sierra Leone where the next independence anniversary is not marked by speeches of regret, but by celebrations of renewal and positive developments.

Our best years are not behind us, they are within reach. But this is only if we are brave enough to change, bold enough to lead differently, and committed enough to serve, and not to rule, suppress, intimidate or control with impunity.

Over the past 64 years of independence, we have been tested by difficult external circumstances, in particular, a devastating 11-year civil war, very lethal Ebola and Covid 19 virus outbreaks, and major setbacks in our economic trajectory, including a sharp deterioration in mining and agricultural performances. We emerged resilient, thanks to the sacrifices of countless heroes and the solidarity of the international community.

During the first 15 years of our post-conflict reconstruction, 2002 to 2017, we showed the world what Sierra Leoneans can achieve. We established new public institutions and implemented bold public financial management and structural reforms, to strengthen accountability and transparency in public service delivery; we made positive strides in transportation, energy, health and education infrastructures; we transformed our economy into one of the fastest-growing economies; we established and consolidated national peace; we held democratic elections and allowed peaceful transfer of power between ruling governments and opposition parties. In these efforts, Sierra Leone had started laying out strong building blocks in state building; we fought hard for stability and democracy, and hence, a beacon of hope and progress.

Sadly, we have suffered an unanticipated derailment of peace and progress across all works of life in the last 6-7 years. But by the Grace of God and the will of everybody, this awkward trend is not irreversible.

So, on this 64th Independence Anniversary, let it not just be a day of reflection, but a turning point. Let it be the beginning of a new and lasting covenant between us, and let us make uninterrupted progress. A new covenant, rooted in integrity, service, and shared sacrifice. It is a new commitment to serving each other’s interests, protecting each other’s rights, and working for the common good. Let us engage our collective strengths to conquer our difficulties and salute a New Dawn for Sierra Leone.

Let us remember that our strength lies in peace, unity, and mutual respect. Together, we can transform our current trials into triumphs. The dawn of a new Sierra Leone is within reach - a nation where every voice matters, every dream is valid, and every citizen thrives. A nation where political propaganda and untenable promises can thrive no longer. A nation where spoken words can be challenged if found to be deceitful.

To our International Partners, we thank you for standing with Sierra Leone in her darkest hours. We pray and invite you to steadfastly continue to walk with us as we reclaim our destiny.

Finally, 'it is still not over until its over! and what God cannot do, does not exist!' Happy Independence Anniversary to all. May God bless you, and bless our beloved Sierra Leone.

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The Brass Band of Methodist Boys High School performed at their 151st Thanksgiving Anniversary, which coincided with the nation's 64th Independence Anniversary.

This year's Independent holiday was somewhat bittersweet, but regardless of the circumstances, we celebrate 'we lek we Salone.'

A special thanks to the Methodist Boys High School Brass Band for their beautiful and classic performance at the 151st Thanksgiving celebration, which brought smiles to the faces of our cherished communities.

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‘Sierra Leone at 64’ ~ by Anonymous!

The national anthem that represents the current conditions of Mama Salone. Must Read!

High we exalt thee, realm of the free, But today, tears fall where pride should be.

Great is the love we have for thee, Yet sorrow covers our land and sea.

Our leaders roam from shore to shore, while our people suffer more and more.

They chase titles, they chase fame, while hunger and fire shame our name.

NRA closed EDSA’s gates in shame, because taxes unpaid became a game.

A whole institution brought to its knees, while the common man begs on wounded streets.

Firmly united, ever we stand, yet betrayal poisons our precious land.

Parliament signs away unborn lives, while the voice of the people barely survives.

Fires rage, and homes turn to dust, every minute, another cruel gust.

Ashes rise where dreams once lay, and all we can do is weep and pray.

We raise up our hearts and our voices on high, but who listens to a broken cry?

The hills and valleys re-echo our pain, a land begging for healing again.

Blessing and peace be ever thine own, but chaos and grief are all we've known.

O Lord, have mercy on Sierra Leone, the land that we love, the land we call home.

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

Sierra Leone State House in Flames

State House | April 12, 2025

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FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE: State House Inferno. On April 12, 2025, the last bastion of Sierra Leone civilization was up in smoke.

Situated in the heart of Freetown on State Avenue in Tower Hill, the State House serves as the official residence of the president of Sierra Leone. It also houses the offices of the president, senior presidential staff, and associates.

The fire broke out at approximately 4:00 p.m. today on the 4th floor of the West Wing, engulfing the offices of Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella and Press Secretary Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, according to initial reports.

The National Fire Force and law enforcement agencies were notified. Four hours later, the fire was brought under control and an investigation is currently in progress. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Please refresh the page later for more updates.

The Ministry of Information and Civic Education issued a statement and urging the public to remain calm.

“The Ministry of Information and Civic Education.”

— Public Notice

Ironically, Julius Maada Bio, the President of the Republic, was abroad attending a three-day forum from April 11 to April 14. This forum, the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025), was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.

See Something, Say Something!

“The rampant vandalism of government infrastructure in Sierra Leone has led to the ‘Adopt a Community’ initiative: Neighborhood Crime Watch.”

— Source: Courtesy, Mr. Foday Alimamy Narby | Columbus, OH

Please Share

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As the fires sweep through Sierra Leone with increasing intensity, it is alarming to see the absence of any effective safety measures and public awareness to protect communities and prevent further devastation.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the reckless behavior of certain individuals led to the death of one person and property damage at the Shalimar Building Fire in Waterloo, located on the outskirts of Freetown. This incident occurred around 1:00 AM on the night of Sunday|Monday, April 13-14.

The Video and Interview, the morning after:

Then, on the morning of Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a fire occurred at the complex of the 34 Military Hospital Medical Store — The Video.

In the early hours of Tuesday, April 15, 2023, a fire gutted the medical facility of the government '34 Military Hospital,' which is currently undergoing an upgrade. The facility houses medical supplies.

Information reaching this outlet is said to be under investigation.

This incident underscores the alarming rise in fire outbreaks throughout Sierra Leone, highlighting critical concerns about public safety, infrastructure resilience, and emergency preparedness.

“Information and Civic Education Minister Chernor Bar provided an update on the State House fire that occurred on Saturday, April 12, 2025.”

— Source: His Words | April 14, 2025

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

Victor Chukuma Johnson Jr. of Lion Food, Snacks and Beverages Ltd

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Victor Chukuma Johnson Jr. has seen a lot and has been through a lot. Today, the small business owner’s ambitions extend beyond entrepreneurship – he is determined to establish Lion Foods as a national brand.

On April 8, 2025, Lion Food, Snacks and Beverages Ltd., based in Sierra Leone, was proudly featured in the International Trade Centre's prestigious International Trade Forum. Titled "Connect and You Will Succeed," the feature highlights Lion Food's inspiring journey of growth, innovation, and its impact on the global stage.

A truly inspiring story!

Trade Forum Features

Connect, and you will succeed: The Story of Lion Food from Sierra Leone

8 April 2025 | Evelyn Seltier, International Trade Centre

Victor Chukuma Johnson Jr has seen a lot and has been through a lot. When the 11-year-long civil war in Sierra Leone ended in 2002, the self-made entrepreneur saw economic opportunities where many saw hardship. His vision for a sustainable, social business exporting locally sourced, processed, and packaged food, turned into Lion Food, Snacks and Beverages Ltd. 

Today, the small business owner’s ambitions extend beyond entrepreneurship – he is determined to establish Lion Foods as a national brand.

Victor Chukuma Johnson Jr, the owner and CEO of Lion Food, Snacks and Beverages, in his production facility in Waterloo, Sierra Leone | © Ibrahim Miles Kamara / ITC / Fairpicture

A fourth-generation native of Waterloo, the capital of Sierra Leone’s Western Area Rural District near Freetown, Victor grew up in a region profoundly affected by the war. Waterloo became a densely populated area, home to a large community of young ex-combatants, with a military training camp located less than a mile from his future factory.

Given the volatile post-war environment, it is no surprise that Victor initially pursued a career in telecommunications. He worked on communications systems for the UK Commonwealth, the UN peacekeeping mission, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the National Civil Registration Authority, as well as private firms and various NGOs.

However, despite his expertise as a radio frequency and computer systems specialist—with studies leading him to Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, Israel, and the United Kingdom—Victor ultimately chose a different path. His passion for agriculture led him to question the overwhelming reliance on imported food that he observed in Sierra Leone.

“I thought to myself: all our food is imported. Why? We grow our own food, so we should be buying our own food.”

Uprooting cassava: By prioritizing local sourcing and quality, the founder of Lion Foods is not only reducing the country’s dependency on imports but also paving the way for a stronger, self-sufficient food industry | © Ibrahim Miles Kamara / ITC / Fairpicture

Reducing the need for imported brands: Lion Food is born

Peeling cassava by hand, the basis of "garri" | © Ibrahim Miles Kamara / ITC / Fairpicture

Determined to add value to Sierra Leonean agricultural products, Victor set out to create locally processed and packaged foods that could compete with imported brands.

“You need to do your research well. For instance, how does cashew sell? You need the same standard packaging. This is why first I invested in branding across my entire product line. Only then are people willing to try. I can compete with anyone coming from outside Sierra Leone.”

Success, however, required more than just branding. Victor understood that sustainable growth depended on investing in people. Through Lion Agric Product, he spent 11 years working with farmers, strengthening supply chains, and refining his products before officially launching Lion Food, Snacks and Beverages Ltd. in 2019. By prioritizing local sourcing and quality, the founder of Lion Food is not only reducing the country’s dependency on imports but also paving the way for a stronger, self-sufficient food industry.

Washing cassava before the grinding process | © Ibrahim Miles Kamara / ITC / Fairpicture

“We built our business on the philosophy that our success is measured by the number of people who benefit from it. We deeply value our customers, suppliers, and employees. To support local farmers, we partnered with Ecobank Microfinance Sierra Leone for financing. Previously, nearly 50% of our farmers’ produce was lost due to post-harvest spoilage, making it difficult to meet the demand for processing their entire harvest on time. This partnership not only helped address those losses but also enabled us to build our packing and processing factory in Waterloo. In addition, Apex Bank Sierra Leone provided funds for our farmers.”

The location of the factory carries historical significance. During the war, the Revolutionary United Front Rebels burned their weapons and ammunition there, which set every home in the area ablaze.

“After the war, I chose to turn a place once scarred by destruction into a symbol of resilience, hope, and progress. It stands as a testament to our ability to rise from adversity and build a brighter future for Sierra Leone.”

Lion Food is the first company in Sierra Leone to use biogas and liquified petroleum gas for food processing (here for parching garri) | © Ibrahim Miles Kamara / ITC / Fairpicture

The next step: Connecting buyers with suppliers in West Africa

In 2022, Lion Food took a significant step toward expanding its business by developing supply and value chains across West Africa. Through the power of partnerships, the company actively looked for opportunities to strengthen its market presence.

Lion Food booth at West Africa Connect

As part of this plan, Lion Food joined the International Trade Centre (ITC) and participated in trainings on value addition, product branding and marketing, packaging and market entry requirements, and attended trade fairs. This is how Victor was able to join West Africa Connect, a regional trade fair and business-to-business event that turned out to be a game changer for the small business.

“Because of this exposure I am collaborating in the cassava value chain with Meannan Foods, Oxy Industries Ltd, Edmass Foods Ltd, and Christaa Agric Ventures in Ghana, as well as Dasun Integrated Farms Limited, Goalpath Nigeria Limited, and Kitovu Technology Company in Nigeria. Additionally, I am working with Give Smile Solutions in Togo and engaging small businesses from Burkina Faso and Benin to secure international deals. Through WestAfrica Connect, I was also able to connect with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The possibilities seem endless.”

Lion Foods has fostered collaborations with like-minded entrepreneurs in areas such as local packaging and machinery. The company is also capitalizing on regional trade agreements, including the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which allows Sierra Leone to trade products duty-free.

Beyond trade expansion, Lion Food has received additional training on accessing finance and improving product value through traditional techniques. The company is now launching a new packaging line with bilingual descriptions in English and French, broadening its market reach.

In the past two years, Victor has made valuable connections that help his business grow rapidly – and all this by keeping production and sourcing within Africa: for instance, using laboratory facilities, graphic design and logistics service providers in Nigeria and Ghana, importing soy beans from Togo and exchanging cashew recipes with The Gambia, or facilitating transactions through regional banking mechanisms in local currencies.

“ITC has changed the dynamics for us. This is why we are moving forward in our commitment to intra-African trade.”

VIDEO | 26 March 2025

The company launched a new packaging line with bilingual descriptions in English and French, broadening its market reach | © Ibrahim Miles Kamara / ITC / Fairpicture

Turning Lion Food into a beacon of hope for communities and the planet

Lion Food is more than just a business—it is a social enterprise committed to creating lasting impact through a triple bottom line approach that balances social, environmental, and financial success. “Our goal is to harmonize these three elements to ensure a positive, sustainable impact for everyone involved.”

Victor not only creates social impact by hiring a mostly female farming workforce, but his company is also the first one in Sierra Leone to use biogas and liquified petroleum gas for food processing. Waste from palm kernels is a basis for biofuel, fertilizers and biogas. Finally, a few months ago, the company started using solar panels to power their productions and further reduce environmental impact.

“I am building a national brand with strong environmental standards, selling good food for a good price.”

In the next five years, Lion Food is looking to expand beyond Sierra Leone and Africa. To enable this growth, Victor plans to attract investment by buying and selling shares, allowing the company to scale its impact.

“Our vision is simple: when people think of healthy, affordable food, they think of us.”

“I am building a national brand with strong environmental standards, selling good food for a good price” | © Ibrahim Miles Kamara / ITC / Fairpicture

Victor has been participating in the EU-funded West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) interventions implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC).

WACOMP is financed by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund. The programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness of West African countries and enhance their integration into the regional and international trading system. ITC implements the programme in cooperation with UNIDO and under the overall guidance of the ECOWAS Commission. The overall objective of the programme is 'to strengthen the competitiveness of West Africa through an enhanced level of production, transformation and export capacities of the private sector in line with regional and national industrial and small business strategies'.

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Sierra Leone on TIER 2 Orange — Travel Visa Sharply Restricted Visa — Draft List

“LATEST UPDATE: June 9, 2025: Travel Ban in Effect.”

— Source: US Embassy, Freetown, Sierra Leone

US Embassy, Freetown

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

This proclamation does not revoke existing visas. If you already have a valid visa and use it lawfully, you may still travel to the United States and apply for entry at immigration.

We strongly encourage all travelers to use their visa as intended and to avoid possible penalties and deportation for overstays.

In accordance with the presidential proclamation, the U.S. Embassy has suspended issuance of tourist, business, student, and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas (categories B, F, M, and J) to nationals of Sierra Leone and can only issue immigrant visas for immediate family…

— USEmbassyFreetown (@USEmbFreetown) June 9, 2025

END JUNE 9, 2025 UPDATE

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“Trump signed a ban on travel to the US by nationals from 12 countries.”

— Source: UPDATED: Wednesday, May 4, 2025 | 8:45 PM EDT: The president made the final call on signing this proclamation after the antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, according to a White House official. He was considering it beforehand, but Sunday’s assault put it into motion faster.

“Trump signs ban on travel to the US from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen

There are an additional seven countries whose nationals face partial travel restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela

The White House says these "common sense restrictions" will "protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors."

The proclamation is the second time Trump has ordered a ban on travel from certain countries - he signed a similar order in 2017, during his first administration.

These common-sense restrictions are country-specific and include places that lack proper vetting, exhibit high visa overstay rates, or fail to share identity and threat information," the spokeswoman told the BBC's US partner CBS, ~ BBC News

Visa overstays are again presented as the key issue in the cases of Burundi, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Turkmenistan.

Also reported by media outlets in the US.

CNN Politics: Trump signs proclamation to ban travel from several countries

CNN — President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday evening to ban travel from several countries to the US, citing security risks.

The ban will fully restrict entry of nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, also known as Burma; Chad; the Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Haiti; Iran; Libya; Somalia; Sudan; and Yemen.

People from seven countries will have partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves US national interests.

The president made the final call on signing this proclamation after the antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, according to a White House official. He was considering it beforehand, but Sunday’s assault put it into motion faster.

The White House is touting the new president’s travel ban as “fulfilling” a campaign promise to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm.”

“President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors who want to come to our country and cause us harm. These commonsense restrictions are country-specific and include places that lack proper vetting, exhibit high visa overstay rates, or fail to share identity and threat information,” White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson wrote on X.

Trump said in a video posted Wednesday that new countries could be added to the travel ban as “threats emerge around the world.”

“The list is subject to revision based on whether material improvements are made. And likewise, new countries can be added as threats emerge around the world, but we will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm, and nothing will stop us from keeping America safe,” the president said.

The proclamation takes effect at 12:01 AM on June 9, according to the White House.

Wednesday’s proclamation comes less than five months after the president was inaugurated into office for his second term. On his first day in office, he issued an executive order directing cabinet members, including the secretary of state, to compile a list of countries “for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries.”

In his first term, Trump barred travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations from coming to the US, a policy that saw court challenges before President Joe Biden repealed it when he took office in 2021.

The barring of nationals from Afghanistan could impact Afghans who worked alongside the US during its two decades of war there. Tens of thousands of Afghans have already been caught in limbo due to other Trump administration executive orders suspending the US refugee admissions program and the suspension of foreign aid funding for flights of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders.

This story and headline have been updated with additional information.

By Kristen Holmes, Alayna Treene, Kaitlan Collins and Samantha Waldenberg, CNN

“Date: 5 June 2025 | Press Release No:_ /2025 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Statement of the African Union Commission on US Travel ban.”

— Source: African Union (AU) INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE

END UPDATE

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‘Affluent business travelers could be permitted entry, but not individuals traveling on immigrant or tourist visas, according to The New York Times. Citizens from these countries would also be required to undergo mandatory in-person interviews’ ~New York Times.

The list is subject to change and requires approval from the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The draft visa ban reflects the executive order known as the Muslim ban issued during Trump's first term. This order restricted travel and refugee resettlement from several predominantly Muslim countries.

The draft list categorizes countries into three distinct groups, each with varying levels of restrictions:

• The first level, 'Red', faces a full visa ban affecting 11 countries.

• The second level, labeled 'Orange,' has strict visa restrictions, which affect tourists, students, and other visa categories.

• The third-level 'Yellow' countries have 60 days to address all concerns raised by the United States.

How did Sierra Leone end up in the orange category of restricted visas?

Reasons can be found in the US State Department 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Sierra Leone, and the current state of affairs.

READ US State Department 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Sierra Leone

It provides a thorough analysis of human rights issues, including credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, and arbitrary arrests or detentions, among others.

The government took some steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses, but impunity persisted.

WATCH: The analysis, the reasons for the ranking, and potential remedies for Sierra Leone!

“USA To Impose Travel Ban on Sierra Leone: Is Sierra Leone the Worst African Country?”

— Prof. Dr. Prince Hyce Bull

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

Download the 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for Sierra Leone from the US State Department HERE!

Liberian Authorities Intercepted Drug Trafficking From Sierra Leone Worth About $77k

At approximately 10:45 PM. on March 17, 2025, Joint Security received a tip-off regarding a black pickup truck with Liberian license plate A533348 transporting narcotics. The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Sierra Leone to Monrovia through Lofa County.

Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency – Public Relations Office | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 17 March 2025

LDEA FOYA DISTRICT INTERCEPTS MAJOR DRUG SHIPMENT WORTH OVER $77k

Foya District, Lofa County - March 17, 2025 – The Joint Security of Foya District, led by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Lofa County Commander and the team has successfully intercepted a significant drug shipment valued at USD 77,200.

At approximately 10:45 PM. on March 17, 2025, Joint Security received a tip-off regarding a black pickup truck with Liberian license plate A533348 transporting narcotics. The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Sierra Leone to Monrovia through Lofa County.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Joint Security team headed by the LDEA intercepted the vehicle and escorted it to the Foya Police Station for a thorough inspection. The driver, identified as Fayiah Lamie, a 43-year-old male from the Mandi tribe and a resident of Monrovia, initially claimed to be transporting only clothes and slippers for sale.

Upon conducting a detailed search of the vehicle, authorities uncovered 772 plates of high-grade marijuana - Estimated street value of(USD 77,200) seventy-seven thousand, two hundred United States dollars (equivalent to 14,668,000 LRD) Fourteen million, six hundred sixty-eight thousand Liberian dollars. 8 boxes of Tramadol estimated street value of (USD 842) eight hundred forty-two United States dollars (equivalent to 160,000 LRD) one hundred sixty thousand Liberian dollars.

Suspect Fayiah Lamie was immediately arrested and is currently undergoing investigation. He is expected to be formally charged and sent to court.

The LDEA remains committed to combating drug trafficking and ensuring the safety and well-being of Liberians. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

“Drug Bust: In Video”

— Liberia Joint Security Intercepted Huge Consignment in Lofa County!

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RELATED

The cocaine ambassador to Guinea, Alimamy Bangura, was declared ‘Persona non grata’ by the Guinean government for allegedly taking part in drug dealing involvement of diplomatic missions.

Netherland's Most Wanted Cocaine Kingpin Hiding in Sierra Leone. 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. Europol identifies Dutch Drug Kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, also known as ‘Bolle Jos’, with many aliases.

Netherland's Most Wanted Cocaine Kingpin Hiding in Sierra Leone

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.”

— UPDATED: 7 March 2025

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.

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LATEST: Sierra Leone Cocaine Saga: Umaru Fofanah ~ BBC News

“KEY UPDATE: Dutch Prosecution Office”

— January 30, 2025

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.'

Dutch Government officially seeks extradition of WANTED Drug kingpin, Jos Leijdekkers alias Umar Sheriff. The Dutch and Sierra Leone do not have an extradition treaty, making the process more complex. However, both nations are engaging in discussions to facilitate. https://t.co/WlwNUoNrXX

— Yame.space (@SpaceYame) February 6, 2025

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.

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pic.twitter.com/M5CYDUVlIx

— A D K (@ADkamara1) January 25, 2025

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

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

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.

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Related Article

Sierra Leone: A Narco State and Distribution Hub. Mr. Alimamy Bangura, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Guinea.

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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)

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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 Fletcher

Our 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.”

— A Mother's Love

“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.”

— The Heat

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.”

— Credible Source

View fullsize

View fullsize

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