Sierra Leone Monitor

Freetown, 17 September 2026 — The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) National Chairman, Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa, has formally directed Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally to immediately stop using the SLPP logo, presenting himself as a member of the party, or positioning himself as an aspirant for the SLPP flagbearership. In a letter dated 17 September [...]

Freetown — The European Parliament has adopted a major resolution on drug trafficking in European waters that specifically names Sierra Leone as a key transit point and highlights the case of Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, known as “Bolle Jos,” who European authorities say remains at large in the country. The resolution, passed on Thursday 17 [...]

Head Coach, Didier Gomes Da Rosa has named a 25-man Leone Stars squad for the opening fixtures of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Sierra Leone will face Zimbabwe on 24 September and Equatorial Guinea on 28 September in Group E as the national team begins its campaign for the continental showpiece. The squad [...]

The Office of the President has formally notified the leaders of all registered political parties of His Excellency the President’s intention to appoint Mrs. Madiana Nyanda Boakae-Samba as Electoral Commissioner for the Southern Province. In a letter dated 8 September 2026 (Reference: SF/BF 50/430/01) and signed by the Secretary to the President, Barba B. Fortune, [...]

Freetown, 17 September 2026 – The Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority have slapped an immediate ban on all community and school football competitions across the Western Area, including Freetown, following a sharp rise in youth violence and hooliganism linked to local matches that has claimed lives and caused widespread property damage. The [...]

Freetown – The government has channelled more than $8 million into petroleum subsidies over recent months to shield citizens from soaring global oil prices, Trade and Industry Minister Alpha Sesay has disclosed. Addressing the national policy hearing on the 2027 financial year budget, Sesay said the intervention was essential to stop sharp jumps in the [...]

The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) has introduced load shedding in parts of Freetown following the discovery of a major technical fault on a key transmission line. In a statement issued on 16 September 2026, EDSA said the problem was identified along the 225kV line between Yiben and the Bumbuna Substation. The fault has [...]

Freetown – The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has announced that all vehicles with worn-out, damaged, defaced or illegible number plates must replace them with the current standard plates issued by the Authority, effective January 2027. In a public notice released today, the SLRSA stated that the move forms part of its ongoing efforts [...]

The European Parliament is expected to vote today, Thursday 17 September 2026, on a resolution urging stronger pressure on Sierra Leone over the case of Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos.” The proposed text calls for tighter judicial cooperation with West African countries and urges the European Union to consider diplomatic and [...]

Freetown – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday formally presented its 2025 Annual Report to President Julius Maada Bio at State House, highlighting stronger enforcement results, near-universal asset declaration compliance and continued gains on key international governance indicators. ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. handed over the report during a brief ceremony attended by senior [...]

Police Sergeant Frederick has won NLe240,000 in the Mercury International Lotto after staking NLe100 on two tickets in the Mercury Daily Special draw on 8th September 2026, according to Mercury International. The 29 year old Freetown based officer played the numbers 12-24-32 and matched the winning numbers. Sergeant Frederick, who said he has been a [...]

Freetown, 16 September 2026 — The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has issued a public notice calling on all employers in Sierra Leone to strictly comply with Section 25 of the Employment Act, 2023, regarding the protection and payment of workers’ End-of-Service/Gratuity Benefits. The notice, released from the Ministry’s offices in New England [...]

Freetown – The Office of National Security (ONS) has raised the alarm that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence tools capable of producing highly realistic fake audio, images, videos and documents poses a serious risk to public trust and the integrity of elections in Sierra Leone, especially as the country prepares for the 2028 general [...]

Freetown – Academic staff at public tertiary institutions across Sierra Leone have begun a nationwide industrial action from midnight on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, after the Union of Academic Staff Associations (UASA) said its 21-day strike notice expired without a satisfactory response from Government. In a public notice issued on Tuesday, 15 September, UASA Secretary-General [...]

A military officer identified as Kamanda has died at the Pujehun Government Hospital following a serious road accident involving an RSLAF vehicle in Pujehun District. The vehicle, attached to the 14th Infantry Battalion and bearing registration number CO14 BAN 72SL57, overturned near the Pujehun Central Mosque, opposite the FOCUS1000 office. The incident occurred as security [...]

Many people are feared drowned after a local boat returning from market-day trading in Nongowa, Guinea, capsized in a river early on Tuesday on the border with Kailahun District in eastern Sierra Leone. The District Security Coordinator, Josephine Wuya Fatorma, told AYV that a woman and a girl had so far been confirmed dead, while [...]

Freetown — More than 2,300 Sierra Leoneans have passed through Guinea’s airport in search of jobs abroad, Labour Minister Umaru Napoleon Koroma has disclosed, raising fresh concerns about the risks of unregulated overseas recruitment. Speaking at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s press conference, Minister Koroma used the figure to highlight the growing scale [...]

By Karifa Kello Thoronka. The Mansa Global Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to supporting vulnerable and underprivileged people by providing food to people living on the streets of Freetown. The humanitarian outreach brought relief to individuals and families facing hardship, offering them food and a moment of care, dignity and hope. Speaking with the Founder [...]

The Independent Procurement Review Panel (IPRP) has opened an investigation into claims of irregularities surrounding the disposal of scrap metals at the former Leone Rock Mining site in Pepel, Port Loko District. The probe follows a formal complaint lodged by Associate Builders Civil Contractor and Developers against the National Assets and Government’s Property Commission. The [...]

Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Freetown West Region of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has held its first regional weapon-handling drill competition, aimed at strengthening officers’ operational readiness, safety awareness and professional competence. The competition, held on Sunday, 13 September 2026, was witnessed by the Regional Commander, Freetown West, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) [...]

Freetown — The Supreme Court of Sierra Leone has fixed 7 October 2026 as the date for hearing all matters filed before it concerning the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Court said the cases will be heard expeditiously so that they can be resolved in good time and in accordance with the [...]

MAKENI, Bombali District – Former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma on Monday declared himself available as a father figure and adviser to every Sierra Leonean, regardless of political affiliation, as he received a jubilant welcome back to his hometown. Addressing a large crowd at Wusum Field, Koroma said he was ready to offer guidance not [...]

Freetown, Sierra Leone – 14 September 2026: Two experts from the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Kiyotaka Sekine and Carlos Gonzales Yepes, have paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, Mr William Fayia Sellu, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between INTERPOL and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), particularly in combating [...]

A high-level delegation from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, led by Minister Princess Dugba, on Friday 11 September completed a technical and familiarisation tour of the Tema Port facilities in Ghana. The visit followed a courtesy call on Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe. Welcoming the Sierra Leonean team, Minister Nikpe [...]

Freetown – Miro Forestry Company has clarified concerns and allegations circulating on social media regarding the death of Sulaiman Bondoh Kamara, a worker assigned to the Company’s Boiler Section. The clarification was made during a meeting held at the Company’s conference room, attended by representatives of the deceased’s family, the Ministry of Employment, Labour and [...]

Freetown, Monday 14 September 2026 – President Julius Maada Bio has referred a petition challenging the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill to the Supreme Court for a judicial opinion, citing the need for constitutional clarity and broad national consensus on a matter of profound national importance. According to an official press release from State [...]

Freetown – Sierra Leone has taken a major step toward deploying its forces to Haiti after signing a medical evacuation agreement with the Dominican Republic. The deal, inked on Friday in New York by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States, Amara Sowa, sets out clear arrangements for the emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of [...]

Former President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has been given a warm and grand reception by supporters, residents and well-wishers in Makeni, his hometown in the Northern Region, following his return to Sierra Leone. Large crowds turned out as the former Head of State made his way into the northern city, creating a celebratory atmosphere that [...]

Freetown, Sierra Leone – Three people were reportedly shot dead on the evening of Sunday, 13 September 2026, during violent clashes in central Freetown linked to a community football match, according to accounts from residents and reports circulating in local media. The incident is said to have occurred on Wellington Street, off Siaka Stevens Street. [...]

FREETOWN – Former President Ernest Bai Koroma has signalled his readiness to work with Sierra Leone’s Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion on preventive peacebuilding, early warning systems, dialogue and national unity. The commitment was made Thursday, 12 September 2026, when a high-level delegation from the Commission visited the former head of state shortly [...]

Amnesty International has accused Russia of luring foreigners, including Sierra Leoneans, into its army to fight in Ukraine under false job promises, in what it says often amounts to human trafficking. In a briefing published on 10 September 2026, the rights group said Russian recruiters target economically vulnerable people from low-income countries in the Global [...]

MAKENI – A group of former ministers from the All People’s Congress (APC) paid a courtesy visit to former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma at his residence in Makeni over the weekend. The meeting centred on strengthening party unity, discussing pressing national issues, and reflecting on past governance experiences as the APC positions itself for [...]

Star Sport Academy have written a new chapter in Sierra Leone football by booking their place in the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. The Kenema-based side progressed on the away goals rule after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Gambia’s Medina United in the second leg on Saturday, 12 September 2026, at [...]

Freetown, Sierra Leone — The All Peoples Congress (APC) has postponed its outstanding ward and constituency elections originally set for Saturday, 12 September 2026, to Tuesday, 15 September 2026. In a public notice dated 11 September 2026 and issued by the party’s National Secretariat, the APC informed members, aspirants, delegates, election officials and other stakeholders [...]

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has confirmed that the Leone Stars’ home match against Zimbabwe in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will be played in Morocco. The decision follows the two-year Memorandum of Understanding signed between the SLFA and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) on 17 August 2026 in Rabat. SLFA [...]

Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu, has welcomed the 12th batch of the Surgeons in Action Foundation to Sierra Leone, expressing profound appreciation for the Foundation’s continued medical interventions and partnership with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP). Welcoming the visiting team, IGP Sellu commended the Surgeons in Action [...]

Three Chinese nationals and two Sierra Leoneans were among six people arrested this morning in a joint operation targeting suspected illegal mining near Bassaia Village in Dansogoaia Chiefdom, Tonkolili District. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Sierra Leone, working with the Sierra Leone Police, raided three separate mining sites in the area. The nationality of the [...]

Freetown – President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has appointed Honourable Justice Nicholas Colin Browne-Marke, a former Acting Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, as Chairman of the Law Reform Commission. The appointment places one of the country’s most experienced jurists at the helm of the body responsible for reviewing and modernising national laws. Justice Browne-Marke currently [...]

Freetown, 11 September 2026 – The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has temporarily suspended all overseas recruitment activities linked to the Guinea route with immediate effect. In a public notice issued today from its New England Ville headquarters, the Ministry said the suspension follows allegations that some private employment agencies and unknown individuals [...]

The long-running case against former APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya has been given a clear deadline. On Thursday, 10 September 2026, Principal Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 told the defence they have one week to file their no-case submission. Lead defence lawyer Africanus Sesay asked for the time and [...]

Sierra Leone and Guinea have agreed to create follow-up and technical mechanisms to address migration and integration challenges, strengthen border security cooperation, and deepen trade and economic ties between the two neighbouring countries. Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh announced the agreement in Conakry while briefing Sierra Leoneans at the country’s Embassy. The discussions followed [...]

45 personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) have successfully completed a seven-week Train-the-Trainer course that included specialized instruction at Ghana’s Jungle Warfare School in Akim-Achiase, Eastern Region. The course formed part of longstanding military cooperation between the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the RSLAF. It aimed to build instructional capacity, strengthen [...]

Four men are in police custody after an attempted armed burglary at the GOAL-Sierra Leone office on Bumbuna Road in Magburaka was foiled through the combined efforts of Sierra Leone Police officers and alert local residents. Assistant Commissioner of Police Alieu Jalloh, Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, confirmed the arrests during a press briefing [...]

Freetown — Unverified and false reports about the death of popular Sierra Leonean footballer Musa Noah Kamara, widely known as Musa Tombo, have been circulating on social media and online platforms this evening. Accoesinvg to some claims on social media, Musa Tombo died in a road accident in Bo District. However, family members have publicly [...]

State House, Freetown, President Dr Julius Maada Bio has reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to deepening Sierra Leone’s strategic partnership with the World Bank Group, as he welcomed the Regional Vice President of the World Bank Group for Western and Central Africa, Mr Ousmane Diagana, and his delegation during a courtesy call at State House. Presenting [...]

FREETOWN – Sierra Leone Police have collected almost NLe 250,000 in traffic fines during the second quarter of 2026 as part of a stepped-up nationwide drive against reckless driving and other road offences. The figures were released on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, at a press briefing held at the Police Officers’ Mess in Kingtom, Freetown. [...]

A diplomatic row between Sierra Leone and the Netherlands is deepening over extradition, with Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh questioning whether The Hague has shown Freetown the same cooperation it now demands. Speaking on AYV’s State of the Nation, with veteran journalist Umaru Fofana, Sengeh recalled Sierra Leone’s earlier efforts to secure the return [...]

Freetown – Sierra Leone Police have arrested about 20 people, among them two members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, in connection with the alleged murder of Operations Support Division Sergeant David French in Waterloo. Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Freetown East, Brima Kanneh, disclosed the development on Wednesday during the SLP’s weekly [...]

FREETOWN – Credible reports confirm that Dr. Adrian Hanciles, a medical doctor based in Freetown, has been found dead. He was reported missing since Thursday, 3 September 2026 (about 7 days). Sources say Sierra Leone Police contacted the family after news of his disappearance went viral on Wednesday evening. Officers informed relatives that an unidentified [...]

President Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday evening became the first holder of the Flot Ultra Black Card, a Visa card issued in partnership with Zenith Bank Sierra Leone. The Flot team presented Card No. 001 to the Head of State at State House ahead of the full launch of flot.ai. The presentation carried clear symbolism: [...]