SLMMDMC Must Follow Due Process, Respect Local Land Rights, and Stop Targeting Journalists

…A Response To The Rejoinder Titled “Rejoinder To The Public Petition On Kasafoni Deposit: A Caution To Gento Kamara”

By Millicent Senava Mannah

It is necessary to respond with clarity and responsibility to the rejoinder which attempts to discredit not only Gento Kamara but also the legitimate concerns raised by the people of Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms in their petition to the Parliament of Sierra Leone dated June 23, 2025.

First and foremost, let it be firmly stated that no journalist reporting the Kasafoni land dispute is a “cantankerous elements” or a paid agent of Mr. Mohamed Gento Kamara. The role of the press in a democratic society is to investigate, inform, and amplify the voices of citizens — especially when national laws, customary land rights, and due process are being disregarded. Resorting to name-calling and unsubstantiated accusations against the media only undermines democratic principles and detracts from the substantive issues raised in the petition.

The core matter remains this: the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation (SLMMDMC) is alleged to have bypassed established legal and traditional procedures in asserting exclusive control over the Kasafoni deposit. The petition submitted to Parliament outlines that SLMMDMC did not consult or engage the local land-owning communities, as mandated by the Customary Land Rights Act of 2022, the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2022, and Section 21 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which guarantees protection of property and customary rights.

Key Clarifications:

1. Due Process Was Not Followed:
   Nowhere in the laws of Sierra Leone does it state that SLMMDMC has the right to override the authority of landowners or traditional leaders without prior consultation, consent, and agreement. The fact that Statutory Instrument No. 11 of 2024 unilaterally vests ownership and control of the Kasafoni deposit in the Corporation without community engagement raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.
2. The Petition Is Lawful and Grounded in Justice:
   The public petition was submitted in line with Standing Orders 17 and 70(5)(a) of Parliament. It seeks parliamentary intervention to uphold community land rights and review a statutory instrument that appears to infringe on the rights of citizens. This is a legitimate democratic mechanism—not an act of blackmail or manipulation.
3. Attacks on Gento Kamara Are Misguided and Baseless:
   The rejoinder wrongly accuses Gento Kamara of using journalists and the media to “blackmail government officials” and “undermine competitors.” Such inflammatory rhetoric diverts from the actual content of the petition and has no substantiated evidence to support such claims. If anything, Mr. Kamara’s engagement with local communities—obtaining their free, prior, and informed consent and contributing to development initiatives—demonstrates adherence to ethical business practices and respect for local governance structures.
4. SLMMDMC Must Respond Substantively, Not Deflect:
   Instead of attacking journalists or Mr. Kamara, SLMMDMC owes it to the people of Sierra Leone to respond directly to the petition. The Corporation must publicly clarify its engagement process, legal justifications, and compliance with constitutional and statutory provisions. Failure to do so would mean it has indeed contravened the law, as the Constitution of Sierra Leone is the supreme law of the land.
5. Parliament Has the Power and Duty to Act:
   Parliament must now investigate the concerns raised and assess whether the SLMMDMC acted within its legal bounds. Anything less would be an abdication of its oversight responsibility.

 Final Note:

This response is not a defense of an individual but a defense of the rule of law, democratic accountability, and journalistic integrity. The people of Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms deserve answers, not attacks. The journalists reporting this issue deserve respect, not insults. And every public institution, including the SLMMDMC, must operate within the boundaries of the Constitution and the laws of Sierra Leone.

Truth is not blackmail. Due process is not intimidation. Journalism is not a crime.

Let the facts, the Constitution, and the voices of the people guide our next steps—not unsubstantiated allegations.

The Calabash Newspaper The Calabash Newspaper

The Calabash Newspaper Established in 2017, The Calabash Newspaper serves as a trusted platform for news and general information dissemination, catering to a broad Sierra Leonean audience both at home and abroad through its active presence on social media. The publication is committed to engaging its diverse readership by reporting on topical news events in Sierra Leone, enriched with editorials and insightful commentaries on pressing issues of the day. In addition to local news, The Calabash Newspaper expands its scope to include topics of continental interest, drawing from various international publications that address political, economic, and social developments across Africa.

See Full Bio