What's Up Africa, Sierra Leone Theo Edwards What's Up Africa, Sierra Leone Theo Edwards

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

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.

Expand the article to read the updated information.

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.

Download the 'Open Letter in Response to Announced Plans to Divide Freetown Into Two Cities'
 
“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.

 
 
 
“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
 
 
 

**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.

 

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

Click HERE 'Sign the Petition'

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.

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