Voice of Salone Newspaper

The Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Chernor Mamoud Jalloh, on Monday, 14 September 2026, commenced a week-long nationwide operational tour of NASSIT’s regional offices, operational centres and investment sites. The tour began at the NASSIT Sub-Office in Kono District, where the Director General engaged staff on their welfare, operational ...

The Supreme Court of Sierra Leone has scheduled 7 October 2026 to hear all pending matters relating to the Constitutional Amendment Bill. The Court has indicated that the cases will be handled expeditiously to facilitate a timely determination in accordance with the law. The development follows President Julius Maada Bio’s referral of a petition concerning ...

By Staff Writer Kroo Town Road and surrounding communities were thrown into chaos on Sunday following a violent confrontation between youths from Kroo Town Road and Kossoh Town, leaving at least 3 reportedly dead and several others injured, according to reports reaching Voice of Salone Newspaper. The violence reportedly involved rival youth groups locally referred ...

Former President Ernest Bai Koroma has declared that he has returned to Sierra Leone with a renewed spirit and a commitment to promoting peace, national cohesion and unity, stressing that he now sees himself as a father to all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of political affiliation. Speaking during his welcoming ceremony in Makeni, Koroma said his ...

By Kelvin Jay A new political force is beginning to attract attention in Sierra Leone, as the Humble Africans Development Party (HADP) intensifies its push to establish itself as a credible alternative in the country’s increasingly competitive political arena. Under the leadership of Abubakarr Alharazim, the party is presenting itself as a vehicle for political ...

President Julius Maada Bio has once again demonstrated what many are describing as his commitment to peace, national cohesion and peaceful coexistence by defying political odds and extending a warm embrace to former President Ernest Bai Koroma. The gesture, which comes against the backdrop of Sierra Leone’s politically charged past, is being viewed as a ...

By Kelvin Jay A major security and protocol controversy is unfolding over the reported appearance of wanted Dutch drug fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos,” at a Church service in Tihun on New Year’s Eve, where he was reportedly seen within close proximity to President Julius Maada Bio and members of the presidential ...

By Staff Writer Reports reaching Voice of Salone Newspaper indicate that at least three people have reportedly died, while several others are said to have sustained injuries, following a violent confrontation between youths and police officers at Kroo Town Road in Freetown. The incident reportedly occurred today, 13 September 2026, following a football encounter involving ...

The Humble Africans Development Party (HADP) is increasingly making its presence felt in Sierra Leone’s political landscape, with its message of youth empowerment, inclusion and national transformation reportedly resonating with growing sections of the population. Led by Abubakarr Alharazim, HADP is positioning itself as a new political force seeking to challenge traditional approaches to politics ...

By our news Desk Questions are mounting over how wanted Dutch drug fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos,” was able to gain access to a church service in Tihun on New Year’s Eve and reportedly appear within President Julius Maada Bio’s delegation. The incident has triggered serious questions about presidential security, State House ...

By Staff Writer The Humble Africans Development Party (HADP) has launched what it describes as a “Revolution of the Mind,” calling for a fundamental shift in how Sierra Leoneans think about politics, leadership, economic independence and national development. At a meeting of supporters held on August 2, 2026, at the party’s headquarters on 25 Dan ...

By Staff Writer Former spokesperson of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and former Minister of Internal Affairs, Lahai Lawrence Leema, has declared that he will not accept any appointment to serve in President Julius Maada Bio’s government during what he described as the “evening hours” of the administration. Leema made the startling declaration while ...

By Kelvin Jay The ongoing controversy surrounding who will emerge as the next SLPP Presidential Flagbearer has taken a dramatic new twist, following controversial remarks by SLPP National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa suggesting that President Julius Maada Bio could play a decisive role in determining the party’s next flagbearer. But the question now being whispered ...

By Staff Writer The Public Relations Officer of Ebema Gbi, Victor S.O. Davies, has maintained that President Julius Maada Bio has no constitutional authority under the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Constitution to unilaterally choose or impose the party’s next flagbearer. Davies made the assertion while speaking on Liberty TV Online, amid growing debate within ...

By Staff Writer The Government of the Netherlands has thrown fresh doubt on Sierra Leone’s handling of the hunt for notorious Dutch drug fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos,” insisting that information available to Dutch authorities suggests he may still be hiding in Sierra Leone. The latest revelation appears to directly contradict repeated ...

The dreams of many Sierra Leoneans yearning for a new political force that prioritises the welfare of ordinary citizens are gradually being felt across different segments of society, particularly among persons with disabilities in the Western Area Rural District. For many members of the disability community in Waterloo, life has been marked by serious economic ...

Officers of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) have intensified their crackdown on the illicit distribution of pharmaceutical and narcotic drugs, following a major operation targeting a large quantity of suspected Tramadol at Mammy Yoko Street, off Patton Street, in the eastern part of Freetown. The operation, which was conducted yesterday, saw TOCU personnel storming ...

By Kelvin Jay History has never failed to remind successive Presidents of Sierra Leone about the consequences of the good and bad decisions they make while exercising state power. Political authority is temporary, but the consequences of Presidential decisions often outlive those who make them. Former President Siaka Stevens, during his 17-year rule, took several ...

By Staff Writer Sierra Leone’s Office of National Security (ONS) is coming under renewed pressure over the whereabouts of Europe’s most wanted drug fugitive, Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos,” after Dutch authorities publicly declared that they remain convinced he could still be hiding in Sierra Leone. The latest disclosure has raised fresh questions ...

By Kelvin Jay The fourteen-day constitutional period which President Julius Maada Bio is expected to take action on the controversial Constitutional Amendments Bill has elapsed, raising fresh legal and political questions over the next course of action. At the centre of the debate is Section 106(7) of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution, which provides that where ...

By Staff Writer The Office of National Security (ONS) has come under renewed scrutiny over its assertion that security agencies are still searching for Dutch fugitive and alleged international drug kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, popularly known as “Bolle Jos,” despite publicly circulated videos and reports allegedly linking him to prominent personalities in Sierra Leone. Questions are ...

By Staff Writer The All People’s Congress (APC) has filed two separate cases before the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone, seeking judicial interpretation of key constitutional issues arising from Parliament’s handling of the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2025. The cases, which involve different parties and were filed separately, are nonetheless aimed at addressing related questions ...

By Staff Writer APC Member of Parliament, Hon. Alhaji Sorieba Turay, popularly known as “Tamemkor,” has sparked public debate after stating that he would have accepted an alleged offer of US$100,000 and an SUV if such an opportunity had been presented to him. Speaking during an appearance on Probe Media, Hon. Turay clarified that he ...

The recent remarks by the National Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Jimmy Batilo Songa, concerning the selection of the party’s next flagbearer have triggered controversy and intensified debate over succession within the ruling party. Addressing SLPP Constituency Chairmen, Batilo Songa reportedly urged party members to wait for a directive from President Julius ...

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has confirmed the deaths of 17 Sierra Leonean nationals following the devastating Dar-es-Salam landfill landslide in Gbessia, Conakry, Guinea. The confirmation followed a joint identification exercise conducted by Guinean authorities and officials of the Sierra Leone Embassy at designated hospital mortuaries in Conakry. According to the Ministry, ...

By Staff Writer The Humble Africans Development Party (HADP) has launched what it describes as a “Revolution of the Mind”, calling on Sierra Leoneans to abandon dependency, corruption and unproductive political attitudes and embrace education, enterprise, discipline and economic independence. The new political philosophy was unveiled during the party’s first supporters’ meeting held on August ...

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, has disclosed plans for university degree certificates to be printed locally, a move expected to significantly reduce the long waiting periods graduates often face before receiving their certificates. Speaking during an interview on Radio Democracy’s Good Morning Salone programme, Dr. Wurie said the ...

By Staff Writer The Humble Africans Development Party (HADP) has called on the leadership of the All People’s Congress (APC) to formally query Hon. Alhaji Sorieba Turay, popularly known as Hon. Tamenko, over recent public statements relating to hypothetical political inducements. In a formal complaint addressed to the leadership of the APC, with copies to ...

Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Public Relations Officer, Moses Mambu, has described the much-discussed “2030 Agenda” as a “political basketball” allegedly intended to divert public attention from more pressing national issues. Speaking during an interview on Truth Media, Mambu said the 2030 election discussion was introduced “out of fun” and had been used to shift ...

Secretary General of the SLPP, Umar Paran Tarawally has rejected the Flagbearer claims outburst made by the SLPP Chairman, intimating that President Bio has not communicated such to anybody. “If President Bio wants to communicate anything directly to the party, he will call the Chairman and the Secretary General. I couldn’t recall that in any ...

The 5th Edition of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition (NEC) has celebrated the creativity, confidence and ideas of young Sierra Leoneans, providing students with a national platform to express their views on issues affecting their lives and the future of their country. The 2026 competition received 518 essays, bringing the cumulative number of submissions ...

The Direct Think Tank Initiative, a civil society organisation focused on good governance and accountability, has condemned recent comments attributed to the National Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Jimmy Batilo Songa, concerning the succession of the party’s leadership. In a press release dated 24 August 2026, the organisation called on Chairman Songa ...

The European Union (EU) has announced €175,000 in humanitarian funding to support communities affected by severe flooding in Sierra Leone. The funding will help address the urgent humanitarian needs of people affected by flooding across Freetown and the Western Area Urban District, where heavy rainfall has resulted in loss of life, displacement, damage to homes ...

Former APC presidential flag bearer and member of the Tripartite Committee, Dr. Richard Konteh, has explained why he did not sign the committee’s recommendations, alleging that the report was finalised without the participation of some APC members. Dr. Konteh said he withheld his signature on principle because, in his view, the committee had not completed ...

During the nomination hearing of U.S. Ambassador-designate to Sierra Leone Daniel Travis, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Senator Jeanne Shaheen accused Sierra Leone of violating a third-country agreement with the United States concerning the acceptance of deportees. “In the third-country agreement between Sierra Leone and the United States, for which the U.S. provides ...

The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has disallowed a planned peaceful protest and procession by Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) Executive Director Thomas Moore Conteh over the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill. Conteh had notified the police of his intention to stage the protest on 26 August 2026 in parts of Freetown. However, in a letter responding to ...

By Fatmata S. Kargbo and Humu Koroma (Intern) Mercury International lotto winner Ibrahim Massaquoi has openly expressed his appreciation for the company, saying its activities have helped improve the lives of many people and reduce poverty in Sierra Leone. The Kenema resident was all smiles as he received his winning prize of NLe82,800 (Eighty-Two Million, ...

The Office of National Security (ONS) says it is still searching for individuals identified as Umar Sheriff and Jos Leijdekkers, as authorities continue efforts to combat drug trafficking and related criminal networks in Sierra Leone. Speaking on AYV’s State of the Nation programme hosted by journalist Umaru Fofana, ONS Communications Director Abdul Karim Will said ...

The Guinean authorities have reportedly issued an instruction prohibiting Sierra Leonean migrants from passing through Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport in Conakry. In a letter dated August 17, 2026, the Central Director of Border Police, addressed to the Special Commissioner of Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport, said the directive forms part of Guinea’s efforts to ...

By Kelvin Jay The controversy surrounding the passage of Sierra Leone’s Constitutional Amendment Bill has intensified, placing President Julius Maada Bio at a critical constitutional crossroads. With mounting pressure from civil society, organised labour, religious leaders, opposition politicians and legal practitioners, the key question now is: Will President Bio append his signature to the controversial ...

By Kelvin Jay Former Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and veteran legal practitioner, Sulaiman Banja Tejan-Sie, has challenged the constitutional authority of the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, to refer the disputed Constitutional Amendment Bill to the Supreme Court for interpretation. Speaking on the ongoing controversy surrounding the passage ...

Africell and Afrimoney Sierra Leone have provided NLe150,000 in financial support to East End Lions Football Club as the club prepares to represent Sierra Leone in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup. The support was presented on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, as East End Lions intensifies preparations for its upcoming continental campaign. Speaking during the presentation, ...

The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has maintained the status quo regarding the leadership of the All People’s Congress (APC), pending the determination of a matter currently before the courts. Pursuant to its constitutional and statutory mandate, the PPRC, on 13 February 2026, issued directives to the APC concerning the extension of the tenure of ...

The Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NaTCA), Amara Brewah, has called for a coordinated national response to the growing threat of mobile and digital fraud in Sierra Leone. Brewah made the call during a national consultative workshop organised to develop and validate a National Roadmap to Combat Mobile Fraud in Sierra Leone, held at ...

By Our News Desk Officer The controversy surrounding Sierra Leone’s Constitutional Amendment Bill has intensified, with the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) and the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) trading serious allegations over alleged intimidation, bribery and political pressure on Members of Parliament. Opposition Leader in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has accused the Government ...