Zion Praise Tabernacle Prays for Sierra Leone & China

February 21, 2020

General Overseer of Zion Praise Tabernacle church, Pastor James Bangura

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Zion Praise Tabernacle situated at Hill Station in Freetown is concluding the observation of a 21 Days revival of Fasting and Prayer which started on the 1^st February and will end today the 21st February 2020. The theme for the Revival is: “Divine Intervention”, a program designed and geared towards experiencing moments of transformation, empowerment and salvation for the sick, oppressed, possessed as well as to encounter the power of God.

On the 18^th February 2020, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor James Bangura, called on the Almighty God, through fervent prayers, to have mercy on students studying in the People’s Republic of China, other Sierra Leoneans residing in that country, the Chinese nation as well as Sierra Leone, religiously beseeching Him to protect all from contracting the deadly coronavirus which has claimed precious lives in China and said to be slowly spreading to other countries.

Pastor James Bangura, on that memorable day, entreated God for His divine protection, powerfully interceded and called on other members of the congregation to do likewise.

During his intercession, he pointed out that regardless of the various strides being made to medically combat the deadly virus there is the need to call on the Almighty God to intervene and save mankind from contracting the deadly virus. He noted that with God all things are possible and mankind must not relent from seeking His Grace.

He underscored that intervention, within the context of the Revival and at all times, is a miracle or act of God that stops something bad from happening, as when God steps in and changes the outcome of any situation.

“We need divine intervention in our physical,financial,marital and spiritual lives,” he enjoined adding that when God intervenes in our lives all the enemies of our sorrows will scatter, there will be restoration, deliverance, healing ,prophesies will begin to come to past, prayer requests will become testimonies and frustration, stagnation will come to an end.

The dedicated Man of God additional prayed for humanity to have the wisdom to know how to prevent ourselves from contracting the disease and finally how to combat it.

He called on all and sundry to steadfastly pray for the students in China, our nation and the People’s Republic of China at this crucial moment for God’s intervention.

It could be recalled that the 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak started in December 2019 and was identified in the Wuhan capital of Hubei province in China after 41 people were presented with pneumonia of no clear cause. The virus is said to spread between people from the time of exposure to the onset of symptoms generally between 2 and 14 days. The symptoms may include fever, cough and shortness of breath were as the complications may include pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Pastor Bangura further called on us as a nation to turn away from our wicked ways, change our bad attitudes and recognize that we have a Creator to whom we should be faithful. “Everyone is welcome to Zion Praise Tabernacle as our doors are always open to receive anybody. You will never regret doing so as your lives will never be the same again as long as you have faith,” he extended invitation.

The bilateral relationship between China and Sierra Leone has spanned many years and the Chinese have been very supportive to this country’s development trajectory. The two countries share Embassies, there are Sierra Leonean students pursuing various courses in China, others are living there and we have traders who from time to time buy goods in China. Against this backdrop, it is therefore apt to heed to Pastor Bangura’s call for us all to be seeking God’s intervention in our lives.

The fasting and prayer revival ends today.

Orange-SL Commissions Super Coders Scratch Project

February 21, 2020

AMINATA-KANE-NDIAYE_0 — Chief Executive Officer of Orange-Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane Ndiaye

By Foday Moriba Conteh

To complement Government’s strides to enhance and expand innovation and technology in the country, one of Sierra Leone’s leading mobile operators, Orange-SL in partnership with the Ministry of Basic Secondary School Education, STFoundation Bridge the Digital Divide-Sierra Leone has on Wednesday 19^th February 2020 launched the Super Coders Project at the Annie Walsh Memorial Secondary School in the East End of Freetown.

Present were the Chief Executive Officer of Orange-SL, Aminata Kane Ndiaye, the Principal of the Annie Walsh Memorial Secondary School, President of Sierra Leone Female Caucus in Parliament, Hon. Veronica Sesay and other Members of Parliament, Director of STFoundation Bridge the Digital Divide-Sierra Leone, Mohamed Dumbuya, Staff of Orange-SL and pupils of the school.

In her address, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange-Sierra Leone, Aminata Kane Ndiaye, disclosed that Orange being a multi service provider and a responsible corporate citizen places emphasis on corporate social investment, adding that in the last three years, Orange has invested about $ 400,000 mainly in the areas of women empowerment, health, education and the environment and that the Company remains the first operator in Sierra Leone to contribute to the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) Agenda by pledging the sum of $1.5m in material assistance over a period of five years.

“Orange in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), designed five projects. One of such projects is the Super Coders Scratch Program in which Orange in partnership with STFoundation intends to introduce ICT training on basic coding for children in 100 Secondary Schools with existing ICT labs over a period of five years,” she disclosed.

She said that the implementation will be done in two phase;

 First batch of 10 schools has commenced on Wednesday 19 February 2020 for the next ten days in various Government-assisted schools with ICT labs across the country.

 Second phase of 15 schools will be rolled out in May 2020.

She noted that the Super Coders Scratch Project is an introductory ICT training program for children between ages 9 to 16 years pointing out that Scratch is a computer programming language. She said in Scratch, programs are made by joining together colored blocks using the Mouse. These groups of blocks (called script) tell characters on the Screen (called Sprites) what to do. Scratch is free, safe and fun to experiment with.

She stated that with Scratch, children can make their own interactive Stories, Animations, Games, Music, and Art further revealing how Scratch has large collections or libraries of cool graphics and fun sounds to play around with which enable children to solve real life social issues through coding and animation.

Aminata Kane maintained that coding once introduced in related schools by Orange, will be included in their ICT curriculum and will be taught by the ICT tutors in each school. She reiterated how many would recall that Orange commenced the execution of its FQE project in October 2019, where the company distributed 2,000 hygiene packs to 20 schools in the Western Urban and Rural areas, conducted awareness and sensitization on menstrual hygiene and sexual reproductive health, adding that this year, Orange-SL will roll out all five projects before the end of 2020.

“As a global telecoms player operating in about 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East, Orange aims at being the leading partner in the digital transformation of all our countries of presence. In achieving this ambition, Orange has included education as one of its key pillars under its CSR policy,” she underscored.

Director, STFoundation Bridge the Digital Divide-Sierra Leone, Mohamed Dumbuya, expressed appreciation to Orange-Sierra Leone for partnering with them in order to implement the Super Coders Scratch Project in secondary schools in the country.

He also buttressed and reiterated that the Super Coders Project is an introductory ICT training program for children between ages 9 to 16 years adding that the union, marriage or partnership they are enjoying was created by UNICEF-Sierra Leone by introducing the two parties and brought them together.

She said STF/BDD-SL has been working in providing ICT education for schools and higher learning institutions in Sierra Leone for the past 10 years and within those periods of operation over 145,000 Sierra Leoneans have benefited.

Hon. Veronica Sesay, President of Sierra Leone Female Caucus in Parliament extended thanks and appreciation to Orange-Sierra Leone and STF for the implementation of the project. She encouraged the targeted beneficiaries to make maximum use of the program adding that they will continue to support Orange-SL in rolling out programs that are meaningful and beneficial to the children of this nation.

SALCAB gets a lease of life under ED Kebay

February 19, 2020

By Edward Vamboi

It is now an indisputable fact that Sierra Leone Cable Company, over the past years, was a dormant place and that was before the new Executive Director, Ishmail Kebay was appointed to head that institution. Most citizens never even knew SALCAB existed until Kebay was to grace the place with his presence.

SALCAB in the past was not known for any good thing except bad news coming from there. As its name implies, SALCAB is responsible for all cable networks in the country with a mandate to make sure that every nook and corner of this country is connected to the global network which will make life easier for citizens.

Under the leadership of Kebay, SALCAB is always now in the news for very good things as it reaches out to achieve its mandate.

Working with a very strong Board of Directors of SALCAB, Kebay has a very good team that is steering the institution into the right direction.

He has vowed to achieve the mandate of the company as he works together with other staff to meet up to its responsibilities.

Sino-Sierra Leone Alumni Association Empathizes with China

February 19, 2020

By Fatmata Jengbe

In expressing solidarity, the Sino-Sierra Leone Alumni Association (S1SLAA), a body that comprises Sierra Leonean Graduates from Chinese Universities have expressed deep concern and empathy for the Chinese Government and the People of China for the recent Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province in the Peoples Republic of China.

In a Press Release the members of the association stated that the entire membership of SISLAA notes with great sadness for this heart-breaking situation furthering how it wholeheartedly stands in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China during this difficult moment.

The release further informed that the Sino-Sierra Leone bilateral relations has attained tremendous development since the 1970s to date and as such SISLAA wishes to reassure the hopes and aspirations of the Chinese People and Sierra Leonean students studying for their various degree and certificate programmes in China that their resilience and steadfastness in the light against this deadly virus is commendable.

“China has made tremendous efforts by promoting bilateral trade agreements, boosting the Agriculture. Healthcare, Infrastructure, Fisheries, Energy and Education sectors in Sierra Leone,” it continued adding that the Chinese Government has always been a development partner to Sierra Leone and has continued in this direction even during their trying moments.

It went on to state that since the very start of the deadly outbreak, the Chinese authorities have acted swiftly and decisively by providing food support and medical aid to those living in the epicenter and other affected areas in and around Wuhan and the entire Hubei Province.

They maintained how the Chinese Government and other International Partners including the World Health Organization should also be commended for their efforts in the light against this deadly virus to date.

SISLAA also expressed concern over the plight of Sierra Leonean students living in China and appreciates the timely intervention of the Government of Sierra Leone for providing the 2019 annual allowances to the 153 beneficiaries of the Chinese Government Scholarship, through the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Sierra Leone Embassy in China.

“SISLAA is with the firm belief that the virus will soon be put under control as various efforts have been put in place to curtail it and prevent it from further spreading. SISLAA shall therefore continue to work with the Government of Sierra Leone, the Chinese Government through the Chinese Embassy in Freetown and other authorities in China by providing the necessary support to the Government, the citizenry and Sierra Leoneans in China during these challenging times,” it stated.

The present situation in China therefore, is of both national and international concern and any action by an individual, group or organization that tends to undermine both national and international efforts in the fight against the coronavirus, which has resulted into over 1,400 reported deaths and an estimated number of over 24.000 infected cases will not be taken lightly by SISLAA and the authorities concern, it furthered.

Sierra Leone Takes 3rd Position for Effectively Combating Graft

February 19, 2020

By Theresa Kef Sesay

It is indeed welcoming that Sierra Leone has been ranked 3rd out of 35 African countries surveyed, on Government’s effectiveness in the fight against corruption, ahead of all other West African countries and behind only two countries in Africa. According to the Transparency International (TI) Global Corruption Barometer for Africa-2019 Report, 66 percent of Sierra Leoneans in 2019 believe the Government is doing well in the fight against corruption; against 19 percent of citizens who held this view in 2015. In the whole of Africa, 59 percent of citizens rate their Government’s performance as bad.

The Report which was launched in Sierra Leone on 11th July 2019 by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) gauges citizens’ perceptions on the effectiveness of their Governments in tackling corruption.

The Report further states that Sierra Leoneans who believed corruption had increased in the country in the last twelve months of the survey declined by 27 percent-from 70 percent in 2015 to 43 percent in 2019.

The Report also shows that the percentage of citizens who believe that there is corruption within Government circles declined by 50 percent-from 48 percent in 2015 to 24 percent in 2019. According to the report, there is also a decline in citizens’ perception on the rate of bribery within the Police from 64 percent in 2015 to 39 percent in 2019.

This comes in the aftermath of Sierra Leone’s remarkable pass in the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Control of Corruption Indicator, with 71 percent, moving 22 percentage points upwards from the previous score of 49 percent.

In this regard, the Anti-Corruption Commission is assuring the general public of its relentless resolve to fight all levels of corruption and to effectively control it in Sierra Leone.

SLMA Hosts US Coast Guard Designated Coordinator to Sierra Leone

February 19, 2020

By Edward Vamboi

Natalie J. Moyer, the outgoing U.S International Port Security Coast Guard, designated Coordinator to Sierra Leone, visited the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) on Wednesday 12th and Thursday, 13th February, 2020.

The rationale behind the visit was to discuss findings of audit conducted by the US Coast Guard on ports facilities, safety and security in the country in respect to the International Ship and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The team, which was led by the outgoing US Coast Guard Designated Coordinator to Sierra Leone, Natalie J. Moyer also included International Port Security Liaison Officers, Christopher Svencer and Daniel A Gonzales who were introduced by Natalie.

While reading findings of the reports, Natalie said, threats to the Maritime transportation industry are not limited to storms, shoals and other natural perils of the sea, highlighting that the actions of terrorists, pirates, smugglers, stowaways and criminals exploiting the sea for illicit ends have demonstrated the need for the world’s flag and port states to cooperatively reduce risk. Thus the reason, “the International Maritime Organization ((IMO) and its Members States developed the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code,” she added.

Moyer also mentioned that as an internationally accepted blueprint for maritime security measures, the ISPS Code serves as a sound foundation from which countries can build their own domestic maritime security system. Through it IPS Program, she said that the U.S Coast Guard is committed to assisting those nations that have not fully implemented the ISPS Code.

She stressed that the U.S Coast Guard is also committed to further engage with other maritime stakeholders to dialogue on security issues within the Maritime industry especially those partners that are going beyond the ISPS Code through advancement in their maritime operational capabilities, maritime situational awareness, and maritime governance. She pointed out that the efforts to reduce threats in the maritime industry require international cooperation in all flag and port’s nations.

Natalie applauded Government’s efforts in enhancing Maritime Safety and Security and Ports Security in the country; she especially commended SLMA and SLPA for stepping up in the execution of their mandates.

She mentioned that the U.S Coast Guard will consider providing training for SLMA and SLPA where necessary to enhance sea safety and ports security .She continued to say that the team will visit ports facilities in the country in order to ensure security compliance with the ISPS.

SLMA Executive Director Ken Philip Sondai said it saddened him when news broke out about the departure of Natalie. He said her expertise in the maritime and port security is unmatched. He welcomed Svencer and Gonzales and hoped for better partnership in the International Port Security and safety business. He reaffirmed SLMA commitment to ensuring maritime safety and security in the country.

The Director of Marine Safety and Security at SLMA, Ibrahim Wurie, expressed his profound thanks and appreciation to the team. While reading the report on compliance of ports’ security in Sierra Leone, Director Wurie emphasized that SLMA has done its own draft of regulations to meet the ISPS code.

The U.S Coast Guard’s International Port Security (IPS) was established in 2003 to reinforce implementation of the ISPS Code in order to reduce risk to U.S Ports and Ships to their entire maritime transport systems.

Charlie Haffner Bags Prestigious Global Award

February 19, 2020

(Left) Charlie Haffner receiving the award from the SL Ambassador

By Esther Wright

Chairman of the Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC) and Director of Freetong Players International, Charlie Haffner, was presented the World Masters Certificate by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to South Korea, Mr. Gibo Mathia on Friday 14^th February 2020. The presentation was made during an impressive ceremony at the Sierra Leone National Museum on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown during which he asserted that Sierra Leoneans must take their own destiny into their hands.

According to Mr. Gibo Mathia, Mr. Charlie Haffner was nominated and selected among thousands of other artists in the world for preserving and promoting Sierra Leone culture as well as promoting one world through culture.

He also assured that this is just the beginning and informed that Mr. Charlie Haffner and his team will travel to South Korea.

He further articulated that he went to South Korea in November 2018 and that after touring and studying the culture of the country, he realized that we must honor the motto of Sierra Leone-Unity, Freedom and Justice as well as love ourselves and promote cultural interdependency intimating that South Korea is now trying to understand Africa citing the Africa Week during which the 20 African embassies in South Korea showcase their rich culture and tradition and disclosed that last year Sierra Leone displayed everything about its culture and tradition including artifacts.

Mr. Gibo Mathia furthered that the museum is close to the cotton tree, a historical landmark in the country but observed that it has outlived many Sierra Leoneans

Responding, Mr. Charlie Haffner said it is a pleasure to receive the award, that he has received several similar awards in the past but noted that this is special as it is coming from far away South Korea, that Sierra Leoneans do not know much about South Korea and that it is now that the country is opening up to South Korea citing the construction of the Freetown City Hall and fishing in the country by South Korea companies.

He said when completed, the new City Hall would have space for theatre, that he has been in theatre and culture for 50 years and invited the world to join celebrate 25 years of Freetong Players International, dedicated the award to his late wife, Mrs. Fati Haffner, Freetong Players International, all artists in the country as well as his family and friends without which he underscored he would not have achieved such a recognition reiterating that the award is a representation of the expansion of theatre and culture in the country.

The recipient also commended the Government of South Korea and assured that he would do his best to improve on theatre and culture in the country, highlighted the exemplary role of Freetong Players International worldwide and stressed that he deserves the award not only for him but the entire country, acclaimed the Ambassador for the accolade and hoped that he would receive more awards stressing that people should be awarded when alive.

He continued that Sierra Leone has a rich culture that is not marketed worldwide, that the award is an inspiration to other artists and disclosed that the renowned and popular Tangains Festival has been organized for 25 consecutive years by Freetong Players that has also toured different parts of the world.

The Chairperson for the ceremony and Acting Curator of the Sierra Leone Museum, Ms. Josephine Kargbo underscored that they are supporting culture in Sierra Leone as well as the need for the country to be identified for its rich cultural heritage and hoped that the award would go a long way to encourage other institutions and organizations to emulate the sterling example of World Masters.

In her vote of thanks, Ms. Josephine Kargbo enlightened that Sierra Leone tops the world in terms of culture and tradition for which the country has won several awards and that the choice of Mr. Charlie Haffner is not a mistake.Earlier, Dr. Mohamed Koker, introduced the Ambassador.

Presentation of the certificate to Mr. Charlie Haffner by the Ambassador climaxed the event.

Budapest to Bamako Rally Rebrands Sierra Leone

February 19, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

On Sunday 16 February 2020 the 13th edition of world’s largest amateur car rally, known as the Budapest to Bamako race in which 700 individuals participated ended up in Freetown. All the participants made their way through four European and four African countries before reaching the country’s capital. The choice of ending the rally in Freetown has helped in rebranding Sierra Leone as a peaceful nation contrary to the notion of a war infested and instable nation.

They were welcomed by President Julius Maada Bio, the Hungarian Honorary Consul, Hungarian Honorary Consul to Sierra Leone, Jihad Eter and the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs ,Memunatu Pratt.

President Bio in addressing them stated: “We note that through your curiosity of the unknown, you have identified with causes that we care about too. We have identified education as a core priority and we are pleased that participants will be donating educational materials. We are also pleased that our concerns about the effects of climate change align with the outcomes of this B2B rally,” he said.

The President went ahead to disclose various touristic sites which the participants may be interested to visit while in country.

On her part the Minister of Tourism, Memunatu Pratt said that she was excited about the President’s commitment to the growth of the tourism industry in the country. She added that because of collaboration, they had been able to position tourism as a centre of the New Direction Government. She noted that the country was peaceful, stable and was now a destination for tourism.

What has been established is that the rally is not celebrated for its speed but rather for its endurance and navigation of remote areas, and ultimately its charity that helps raise money for West Africa. Conspicuously, as they drove through mapped out routes their vehicles and bikes were covered in dust after a gruelling 8,063km journey dubbed ‘The World’s Last Great Adventure’.

Successfully, the participants covered the last 83 km in the Budapest – Bamako rally to reach the finish line at the National Stadium.

According to what was understood, the rally began back in the Hungarian capital, Budapest on 31 January. Its 700 participants travelled through four European countries (Hungary, Slovenia, France, and Spain) and through four African countries (Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea – Conakry) before entering Sierra Leone.

“It is a very difficult rally, it is a challenging rally, it’s not a timed event, it is [a] navigational and endurance event; you have to take care of your car for two weeks and you just have to make the best of your team and just try to deal with whatever conditions come your way,” said Andrew Szabo, the Hungarian-born founder of the Budapest-Bamako rally.

“This rally is all about going on an incredibly long adventure and a long drive where every day is different. You go through the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, where you cut through the Sahara, where you cut through the sand dunes of Mauritania, get through the Sahel belt of Senegal, head down to Guinea and finally arrive here to the tropical [and] beautiful beaches of Sierra Leone,” he said.

For most of the rally members, the rally is about adventure and charity. “We just [came] up with this idea that we should participate in the next Budapest Bamako Rally,” recounted Szaboccs Safian, also known as Safi, who calls himself the ‘butterfly man’ and is a member of team 161.

Safi and his team members decided to participate because “it [would] be fun basically to drive all the way from Europe down to Africa where we actually work a lot … we really enjoy staying here but [this] would be a new experience for all of us to come together.”

“Yes we are actually supporting a charity you know because with the Gola Forest there are a lot of fring[e] communities and some of the communities formed together a kind of educational programme,” added Safi when explaining what else drove them to participate in this year’s rally. The organisation they support is called EduKids, which is run by an international board, he explained.

While the charity is unable to save the forest directly, the idea is to educate future generations “so they will understand why conservation and bio-diversity is also important.”

VP Dilates on Efforts to Implement Regional Agreements

February 19, 2020

By Aaron Bundu Lahai

On the 14 February 2020 Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, in his official capacity, opened the 43^rd meetings of the Convergence Council of Ministers and Governors of Central Banks of the West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ) in Freetown.

The Vice President Jalloh in his address called on the Convergence Council to design Corporate Proposals on the way forward to a sustainable and sound monetary union in WAMI. He advised the Ministers to take into consideration recent development in the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West Africa States) monetary cooperation program. He assured the ECOWAS delegates on the commitment of Sierra Leone to the drafting of monetary union in West Africa.

Dr. Juldeh Jalloh informed the delegates about the concerted effort Sierra Leone is making to implement various regional Protocols and Agreements. The Vice President further dilated on the rigorous effort Sierra Leone is making to implement reforms including the diversification of the economy, consolidating public finances, improving governance and accountability, robust fight against corruption and private sector development. He expressed confidence for Sierra Leone to attain the Convergence Secretariat and other benefits in the monetary region, because of the reforms undertaken by the Government of Sierra Leone.

Hon. Vice President Jalloh said that the actions taken are critical to solidifying West Africa economies and expanding the scope of trade. He added that only the strengthening of economic integration, expansion on the scope of trade and the building of solid economies in the economic developed circle of the region that political and economic stability will be maintained. Dr. Jalloh stated that political stability is not only limited to security and good governance, but security in terms of economic prospects.

The meetings, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh explained are testimonies of the commitment of member states to the monetary integration program. He said that the ECOWAS regional integration program and the monetary corporation programs are very important to the Government and people of Sierra Leone. The Vice President therefore expressed delight to host the meetings in Sierra Leone.

“There is no Fullah Tribal Headman…” – Fullah Community Maintains

February 19, 2020

a member of the Fullah Community, Alhaji Abdul Razak Bah

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to clear the air on the issue of whether there is a substantive Fullah Chief (Tribal Headman) for the Western Area, members of the Fullah community in Freetown and the country as a whole has on Saturday 15th February, 2020 disclosed that there is no Fullah Chief (Tribal Headman) for the Western Area. This disclosure was made during a meeting at Wilberforce Village in Freetown convened by members of the Fullah Community geared towards updating its members over the issue of the Western Area Fullah Tribal Head.

Speaking during the meeting, a member of the Fullah Community, Alhaji Abdul Razak Bah, stated that there is no Fullah Chief /Tribal Headman in the Western Area and the position remains vacant until an official appointment by His Excellency, The President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

He furthered that after the death of Chief Justice Abdulai Bapateh Timbo the issue regarding the leadership of the Fullah Community arose and to address the thorny issue Vice President Juldeh Jalloh called Alhaji Umaru Monoma Bah and eight Fullah personalities delegation out of which Chief Alhaji Mohamed Sajor Jalloh was appointed to act for a period of six months as stipulated in the letter that was issued to him by the Vice President.

He noted that this six month period has long overdue since the 6th November, 2019 and since then Chief Alhaji Mohamed Sajor Jalloh has been occupying the position which they consider to be illegal, noting that according to the agreement after the six months period he was supposed to act he should not show any interest but rather act as a referee to mediate until finally a substantive Tribal Head is appointed meaning that he should be independent.

He, however, lamented that after the end of his six months period he went ahead and declared his intension to contest for the position saying such is a breach of the contract that they signed.

Against this background, he called on the President of Sierra Leone to know that there is an issue among the Fullah community so that he can intervene, adding that the Fullah people are peaceful and law abiding but underscored that this issue has the tendency to destabilize the Fullah Community in the country stating how already there are divisions within them alleging that the current Acting Fullah Chief for the Western Area is discriminating against certain portions of the Fullah community.

He also called on the members of the Fullah community to be united like never before reiterating that there is no Fullah Chief (Tribal Headman)for the Western Area until His Excellency President Maada Bio appoints somebody to be the able Chief in that capacity.

National Chairlady, Duwajabi Cooperation-Sierra Leone, Suwadu Bah, also called on the Fullah community to be united saying unity is strength. She called on her fellow compatriots to maintain the peace within the Fullah community.

She maintained that Duwajabi Cooperation- Sierra Leone was formed to serve as an auxiliary body to the Tribal Head which, she said, they have been doing during the tenure of past Western Area Tribal Headman.

Suwadu disclosed that Alhaji Abdul Razak Bah has been very supportive towards not only the Duwajabi Cooperation- Sierra Leone but the entire Fullah Community stating that he is more than qualified to be the next Fullah Tribal Head for the Western Area. She also called on the requisite stakeholders to find an amicable settlement to the dispute within the Fullah Community in Sierra Leone.

Dr. Bailah Leigh, a member of the Fullah Community, expressed appreciation to the Fullah community for maintaining the peace even in the midst of difficult times and further urged them to continue to do so admonishing that with unity the sky will be their limit

He said the Fullah people all over the world are known to be law abiding and encouraged them to uphold the good image.

The meeting was graced by the Chairman and Leader of the National Fullah Youth Liberation Movement, Silvin Bah, Principal Assistant to Late Chief Justice Alimamy Abdulai Bapateh Timbo, Chief Alimamy Njai Alie, members of Fullah Progressive Union, Chiefs and Imams, who also delivered statements on the said issue.

In a related development, when this medium contacted Chief Alhaji Mohamed Sajor Jalloh, the current Acting Fullah Head, to comment on the said allegation and issue he responded that indeed a letter was issued to him to act in that capacity but wants a proof that he was only given six months to act. “Publish the said letter displaying the area stating the six months period,” he stressed.

Cross section of participants during the meeting

Members of the high table during the meeting

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