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The Saudi Royal Court has announced that Sunday, 30th March 2025, will mark the 1st of Shawal 1446, and thus Eid al-Fitr, signifying the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Eid Mubarak to all Muslims! Please share this update widely with family, friends and community. #EidAlFitr #EidMubarak (C) Abubakarr Bah, Sierra Leone’s Information Attaché to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Stay Updated! Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now

By Richmond B. Tholley Hundreds of landowners and residents in the Magbafth Section in Yoni Mabanta Chiefdom, in the Northern District of Tonkolili, came out on Friday, 21st March 2025, to protest against a proposed mining on their lands. According to residents, Ojaskara SL Ltd is proposing large-scale Bauxite Mining in several villages around the Magbafth Section, but the land owners insisted they are not interested in the said mining because of the dangers it will pose to their lives.  "We're farmers, and we're not interested in mining, residents said. Residents who are mostly from land-owning families were seen holding placards with inscriptions, "Our land, our rights, we're not interested in mining" They said they remain resolute in their quest for a better future for their unborn children. The aggrieved landowners said they would resist any attempt by the authorities to go on with the said mining because they considered the mining operations a destructio...

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh - Goderich, Freetown – Thursday, 20 March 2025 – Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio welcomed United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Bryan Hunt, to her office in Goderich, Freetown, for a courtesy visit. The meeting served as a platform for diplomatic engagement, strengthening bilateral ties between Sierra Leone and the United States while exploring opportunities for deeper collaboration in key areas of development. Discussions centered on shared priorities, particularly gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social development. The First Lady highlighted her flagship Hands Off Our Girls campaign and other transformative programs focused on protecting and uplifting women and children. Ambassador Hunt reaffirmed the United States' commitment to supporting these initiatives, emphasizing the critical role of international partnerships in advancing sustainable progress. Beyond gender advocacy, the dialogue extended to broader national development co...

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh  Freetown, 19 March 2025 – In a significant step towards strengthening community policing in Sierra Leone, the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP). This collaboration aims to enhance security and social support systems through community-centered policing initiatives across the country. A CCSL delegation, led by Programme Manager Rev. Moses Khanu, engaged in high-level discussions with Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu at Police Headquarters on George Street. Rev. Khanu highlighted CCSL’s broad engagement in all sixteen districts, focusing on advocacy, gender issues, and psychosocial support for vulnerable communities, including interventions on female genital mutilation, drug abuse, and sexual and gender-based violence. Despite its expertise in these areas, Rev. Khanu acknowledged that CCSL has faced challenges with referral processes and welcomed the...

By: Richmond B. Tholley Residents from across the District's nineteen chiefdoms have angrily reacted to a press release from the Tonkolili District Council outlining strict price increments for community, religious, and social events. In the press release dated 18th March 2025, the Tonkolili District Council announced new fees for public events, including musical rallies, school Thanksgiving ceremonies, and street jogging, prompting questions from residents. Justifying its action, the Tonkolili District Council says it has a mandate from Section 63(1)(c) of the Local Government Act of 2022. The said Section from the Local Government Act states that a Local Council shall issue a licence to any person in a locality who holds any concert, dance, musical, theatrical, or other entertainment. The public is warned to adhere to the law by obtaining permission from the Council or face the full force of the law as prescribed in the Local Government Act. The decision by the Council raised co...

By Richmond B. Tholley The Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone has, on Tuesday, 18th March 2025, declared Paramount Chief Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III of Sambaia Chiefdom as the Paramount Chief Member of Parliament for Tonkolili District. The District was without a Paramount Chief representative in the House of Parliament following the death of PC Alhaji Masakama Kanamanka III, the former Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, in November 2024. In the exercise of its powers conferred upon it by Sections 33, 72, and 74 (1) (a) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, (Act No 6 of 1991), and under Sections 98 to 101 of the Public Elections Act, 2022, the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone completed nominations for the conduct of Paramount Chief Member of Parliament bye-elections on Thursday 20th February - Friday 21st February 2025 in Tonkolili District, Northern region. After the closing of the nominations, PC Bai Kafari Haja Mama II of Tane Chiefdom and Hon. PC Alhaji M...

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh Food security in Sierra Leone depends on increased agricultural productivity, reduced post-harvest losses, and efficient food distribution. The use of modern farm machinery such as tractors, combine harvesters, mechanized planters, irrigation systems, and processing units can significantly boost crop yields and reduce the time required for farming operations. With these benefits of farm machines in agricultural production and productivity, one of Sierra Leone's indigenous agriculture companies is leveraging the use of modern farm tools and equipment not only to boost cultivation of crops but also to create employment opportunities thereby addressing two key challenges in the country- food insecurity and unemployment among youths.  CEO of Sierratec Secure Sallieu Kanu confirmed that he has bought nine brand new machines and accessories to add to his fleet of tractors. He said that the nine tractors and accessories worth USD 310,000.  Before the pr...

By Richmond B. Tholley True revolution is not just about politics or violence; it is about a deep, internal transformation. If a movement does not inspire people on a personal level, it will fade away. Sustainable change requires passion, vision, and a shift in consciousness. Revolutions that lack heart and purpose collapse under their own weight. Only those who inspire the human spirit can last. This was how Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, the small boy who was once underrated, ended up finding himself at the centre of politics of one of Sierra Leone’s politically sensitive Chiefdoms (Yoni Mamaila and Mabanta). Hon. Aaron Koroma is a revolutionary politician whose remarkable leadership and dedication towards community development has impacted Yoni Chiefdom and beyond. A revolutionist is someone who wants to change the world — not just sitting around talking about it but actually doing something to bring about positive change. Like Che Guevara, Vladimir Lenin, and Mahatma Gandhi, who have bee...

Opinion By: Richmond B Tholley There are ongoing arguments and counterarguments on various social media platforms, especially on WhatsApp groups, regarding the recent press release from the Office of the President confirming the sacking of three public officials by the president. Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has just fired the country’s youth minister, Mohamed Orman Bangura, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Moriba Koroma, and Ahmed Saybom Kanu, Managing Director of Sierra Leone Shipping Company. A State House release issued a few minutes ago has not stated any reason for the sacking. The announcement came today, sparking widespread discussions about the reasons behind the sudden changes. Sources within corridors of power say that the removal of Youth Minister Bangura and Saybom Kanu may be linked to the recent tensions surrounding the lower-level elections in Tonkolili District.  The elections have been marred by reports of internal conflicts, and some believe...

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh - Beline Media Empire The High Court of Sierra Leone, Holden at Makeni, has on today’s date 12 th March 2025 discharged ten accused persons who had been standing trial for conspiracy to commit murder, murder, arson and malicious damage . The ruling, delivered by Justice Abubakar Sannoh , followed an application by State Counsel Joseph A.K. Sesay under Section 66(4)(c) and (5) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No. 6 of 1991 , which empowers the Director of Public Prosecutions to discontinue cases. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Osman T. Kanu, authorized the discontinuation of the matter, and provide no additional evidences to the matter leading to the application of release of the accused persons. The discharged individuals are Aruna Gibrilla Bangura (Alias Kamalo), Alhaji M. Sesay, Samuel Alhassan Kargbo, Ibrahim Turay (Alias Honey Boy), Saidu Mansaray (Alias Solany), Alimamy Kamara, Alimamy N. Conteh (Alias Sorie N’thembeh Conteh),...

By Richmond B. Tholley Commonwealth Business Women Africa has, during its National Awards night on February 28th, 2025, in Freetown certified over a hundred women engaging in entrepreneurship, agricultural businesses, and technical and vocational institutions. Market women were also among those who received certificates. Attended by scores of dignitaries from national and international institutions, including the Liberian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Deputy Minister of Tourism, representatives from the banking sector, non-governmental organisations and others, the occasion celebrated women and also pushed them to do more. Highlighting the importance of the occasion, Madam Ann Marie King, the Country Director of Commonwealth Business Women, Sierra Leone Chapter, said the selected women were given awards for their exceptional contributions to education, entrepreneurship, women's empowerment, youth development and nation-building. Madam King furthered that her organization's aim is...

By Richmond B. Tholley In the aftermath of the Sierra Leone People's Party lower-level elections in the Northern District of Tonkolili, the former Chairman of the Tonkolili District Council was defeated in the race for the party's Chairmanship in Constituency 054. The Constituency covers Kunike Folawusu and Kunike Sanda Chiefdoms. Many political analysts are left dumbfounded after learning that Alusine 'Kamathor' Sesay was defeated by his opponent, Tariq Omar Sadique, in an area believed to be his political base. Kamathor, as he's fondly called, was Tonkolili District Council Chairman from 2012 - 2018 under the ticket of the main opposition party, the All People's Congress. But he parted ways with the APC in 2023 after his official resignation following intra-party squabbles between him and some stakeholders in the party. He defected to the Sierra Leone People's Party and contested for the Chairmanship of the Tonkolili District Council in the 2023 general el...

By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh Mining has long been a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s economy, providing jobs and revenue for the government. The country is blessed with diamonds, gold, bauxite, and other minerals that have the potential to transform lives. Yet, while the industry holds great promise, it also brings significant challenges—some of which threaten the very future of the land and its people. Across the country, communities near mining sites have seen both prosperity and destruction. On one hand, legal mining operations create employment and contribute to national development. On the other hand, illegal mining has spread like wildfire, leaving behind environmental devastation, health risks, and lost government revenue. In many cases, rivers that once provided clean water for drinking and farming are now polluted. Forests are being cleared at an alarming rate, leaving behind barren lands that may never recover. Illegal mining is not just an environmental issue; it’s an econo...