The demolition of houses in Angola Town in March 2024 continues to draw public outrage as affected landowners demand justice and accountability from the Sierra Leone Parliament. Nearly twenty months after the incident, the victims say they remain in the dark, with no explanation or compensation forthcoming despite Parliament’s promise to investigate the matter.
According to the aggrieved landowners, the Ministry of Lands did not issue any formal notice prior to the demolition nor was there a court order authorizing the operation. Residents allege that they were neither consulted nor given the opportunity to present documents proving their ownership before their houses were torn down. This lack of due process, they argue, raises serious questions about the legality and transparency of the Ministry’s actions.
After the incident, several victims reportedly presented their land documents to the Ministry as evidence of legitimate ownership but they claim no clear justification was ever provided to explain why their properties were destroyed. Dissatisfied with the Ministry’s silence, the landowners took their case to the Parliamentary Committee on Lands, Country Planning and the Environment, chaired by Hon. Quinton Salia Konneh. The Committee promised to investigate the demolitions and make its findings public.
However, despite the passage of several months, the Committee’s report has not been released. The delay, according to many affected residents, has deepened frustration and created a perception of neglect and abandonment by the very institutions meant to protect citizens’ rights.
While the victims have praised Hon. Quinton Salia Konneh for his consistent engagement and empathy, they remain puzzled by the long delay in publishing the investigative report. Unconfirmed sources within Parliament allege that a senior member of the Executive may be influencing the process to protect a foreign company reportedly linked to the disputed land; an allegation that, if true, casts serious doubt on the integrity of the process.
The affected landowners have since issued a public appeal to the leadership of Parliament to ensure that the report is released without further delay. They believe that transparency and swift action are vital to restoring public confidence in governance and ensuring that justice is served.
President Julius Maada Bio has consistently emphasized his Government’s commitment to protecting the land rights of Sierra Leoneans, particularly in the Western Area. His administration has introduced legal and institutional reforms aimed at ensuring fair land ownership, community participation and equitable compensation for affected citizens.
However, the unresolved Angola Town case remains a pressing test of that commitment. The victims are now appealing directly to President Bio to intervene and ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
The outcome of this matter will determine whether Parliament and the Government can uphold the principles of fairness, transparency and accountability that form the foundation of Sierra Leone’s democracy. The call from Angola Town residents is clear: justice delayed is justice denied.
