Politico Online, 44 Edward Street, Freetown (2026)

03/10/2026

Diagnosis threatens fight against Meningitis

By Mabinty M. Kamara

As the World Health Organisation (WHO) targets 2030 for the elimination of Meningitis across the world, Sierra Leone struggles with adequate facilities such as laboratories to ensure early diagnoses.

Meningitis, according to health experts, is a disease that occurs when the meninges—three layers of tissue that protect the brain and spinal cord—become swollen. This swelling increases pressure around the brain and spinal cord and can rapidly become dangerous.

Addressing media practitioners at a brief ceremony in Freetown on September 29 this year, Dr Joseph Sam Kanu-Programme Manager, Surveillance and Applied Epidemiology, National Public Health Agency, said Bacterial meningitis can be transmitted through droplets from the mouth and nose mostly after coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing cup, utensils and other personal belongings like toothbrush. Although he said there are other types of Meningitis such as group B called streptococcus, which can be transmitted through the gut or va**na, and then spreads from mother to child during child birth, he emphasized that bacterial meningitis is the most common type, especially in the context of Sierra Leone.

He also noted that the signs and symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, patient sensitivity to light rays, vomiting, confusion or altered consciousness and rash, which are related to a particular type called meningococcal meningitis.

He said despite government’s intervention through vaccination, surveillance and risk communication, public awareness and the lack of adequate testing facilities remain as key challenges.

“Meningitis mostly affects children, and in most cases, people attribute it to witchcraft delaying treatment and hospital care,” he said. This is where he said the journalists come in as critical drivers in shaping how people respond to critical national issues by creating the necessary awareness.

Emphasizing the dreadful nature of the disease, the medic noted: “High mortality rate: up to 1 in every 10 patients die, and that 1 in every 5 survivor, suffer long term complications (hearing loss, seizure, cognitive impairment).”

He therefore urged for an effective vaccination of children, good hygiene practices, strengthened surveillance, effective detection facilities, early treatment, and rehabilitation of survivors.

Speaking at the event, the focal Surveillance Officer for Bacterial Meningitis at the National Public Health Agency, Samuel Sama Turay said they recorded 303 suspected cases of bacterial meningitis from January to date, and that 13 only among them were tested at a facility at the Ola During Children’s Hospital, but were all proved negative.

“For surveillance, we suspect, but we also need the laboratory for confirmation. And with bacterial meningitis, in collecting the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which is the sample we collect and analysis to confirm that this is bacterial meningitis, we have limited laboratory facility to carry out that function,” he said.

In his speech, the Regional representative for the Confederation of Meningitis organisations Mohamed Samuara, commended Sierra Leone’s effort in the fight against meningitis but noted that more was needed if the WHO’s target by 2030, should be achieved. He said public education is still very low about the disease.

Speaking about the World Meningitis Day on October 5, he said Sierra Leone has already developed a national strategic plan that aligns with the WHO’s 2023 road Map and that a health Walk will be organized as part of the commemoration. However, he expressed concerns over limited case investigation capacity from sample collection, due largely to the technicalities required of the relevant laboratory facilities to do the investigations. He therefore called on partners to support and take adequate action to address meningitis. He said the question should not be about when would it come, but how would it be responded to, when it eventually comes.

Photo caption: Dr Joseph Sam Kanu, Programme Manager, Surveillance and Applied Epidemiology, National Public Health Agency-presenting at the event.

03/10/2026

Bio pledges peaceful democratic transition in 2028

By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah

President Julius Maada Bio has pledged his commitment to leave office at the end of his constitutionally mandated second term in 2028, saying he will hand over power as a democrat, just as he did as a soldier back in 1996.

The President made the declaration on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, while speaking at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during a forum on leadership, governance and Africa's place in a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Bio advised that the first choice for Africa in the current global shift must be to build leadership that outlast the leader.

Reflecting on his own political journey, he recalled his decision to conduct democratic elections while serving as a young military Head of State in the middle of Sierra Leone's brutal civil war.

He further recalled that, "I learnt something about this in 1996. Sierra Leone was at war and I was a young soldier serving as head of state," Bio told the audience. "People I respected most argued that the country was not ready and it was too unstable for elections, but I did otherwise. They urged me to wait until the war was over,” adding that he understood their concerns, but believed that in politics, waiting can never become.

He went to recount how Sierra Leoneans voted, and then he handed over power to an elected civilian government, emphasising that he relinquished power, stepped aside, and later returned home to seek office through the ballot.

After handing over power as a military leader, Bio however noted that in 2018, Sierra Leoneans elected him as the fifth President of the Republic under the 1991 Constitution.

Bio also remembered that, “The decision to hold an election did not end the war, of course. I cannot claim that, but it reaffirmed a principle that we could build upon that. Even in difficult times, in times of fear, the people must have a voice in who governs them.”

Differentiating between that historic handover and his future, he said, in1996, he handed over power as a soldier, emphasising that, “In 2028, God willing, I will hand over power again as a democrat."

He stressed that the commitment is personal, but the principle is larger than any one person, arguing that power should be passed on, with the country in better condition than when he became Head of State in 2018.

President Julius Maada Bio’s remarks come amidst a national debate in Sierra Leone over the proposed Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to introduce proportional representation and lower the presidential victory threshold from 55% to 50% plus one vote.

The Bill has been criticised with the main opposition All People's Congress (APC) Parliament staging a walkout in protest, accusing the government of attempting to use reforms to extend its stay. President Bio has referred the Bill to the Supreme Court for a judicial opinion, describing it as a move to ensure constitutional clarity and national consensus.

The question of a third term has dominated public discourse ahead of the 2028 polls. Under Section 46(1) of the 1991 Constitution, a person who has held office as President for two terms is not eligible to contest again. President Bio has repeatedly denied any intention to seek a third term.

02/10/2026

In this edition:

01/10/2026

Salone gov’t refutes EU aid suspension over Jos

By Politico Staff Writer

Sierra Leone's minister of information has denied reports that the suspension of Euros 18 million of earmarked funding for Sierra Leone is linked to the country’s alleged refusal to extradite convicted drug fugitive, Jos Leijdekkers.

In a swift response to widespread reports of the aid suspension, Chernor Bah told Politico that: “Reports presenting the EU's July decision as a new punitive measure related to a particular individual or case do not reflect the reasons formally communicated to the government.”

He said “the reasons provided related to the timing of Sierra Leone's request for an amendment to the Financing Agreement and the resulting difficulty of completing the required processes within the 2026 reporting cycle. The Commission consequently proposed rescheduling the 2026 and 2027 disbursements to 2027 and 2028, with targets for 2027 already agreed.”

The European Commission formally communicated its decision on the 2026 disbursement in July.

The Government of Sierra Leone was due to receive €18 million in European budget support this year, earmarked largely for education, food programmes and infrastructure, with the Netherlands already seeking to block a planned €22.5 million payment scheduled for next year.

According to reports, the European Commission has suspended all payments to Sierra Leone with immediate effect after the country refused to extradite fugitive Dutch drugs baron Jos Leijdekkers, also known as Bolle Jos, as confirmed by Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel to Netherlands-based DutchNews.

The medium alleges that Jos reportedly has a child with the daughter of Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio, and maintains close ties with the government, claims which the government of Sierra Leone has significantly dissociated itself from.

Bah reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to international cooperation against organized crime and judicial collaboration with partners, but cautioned against attempts to “instrumentalize development cooperation or exert pressure through public threats and media campaigns.”

He expressed confidence in the strength of Sierra Leone’s partnership with the EU and said it looks forward to continuing engagement towards the 2027 disbursement and wider cooperation programmes.

While the Government acknowledges that postponing this year's disbursement is a setback, Bah said it does not, however, amount to a suspension of the broader partnership between Sierra Leone and the European Union. He noted that Sierra Leone greatly values this long standing partnership and remains committed to continued constructive engagement with the EU.

Caption: Minister of Information and Civic Education-Chernor Bah

30/09/2026

UNDP aids learning at Freetown Polytechnic

By Abdulai Fasienh Dumbuya

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has donated desks and chairs to Freetown Polytechnic, easing long-standing challenges with classroom furniture and improving the learning environment for students and staff.

Speaking to Politico, Allieu Mansaray, Personal Assistant to the Principal and former Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, explained that the institution had adequate classroom space but struggled with insufficient furniture. “We were trying to look out for partners who would help us, and UNDP came in handy to support us with the furniture we received,” he said.

Mansaray recalled how in the past, students often scrambled for seats, losing valuable class time. “With the arrival of the furniture, classes start on time, and students are properly seated. Learning has improved considerably,” he noted. He said the furniture comprises integrated desk-and-chair units, saving space while ensuring comfort.

Apart from boosting learning environment for students, he said the donation has also addressed logistical challenges during examinations, adding that, previously, exams had to be rescheduled due to limited seating. “Now most students can take their exams at the same time, cutting down on delays,” Mansaray added.

Asked how the institution ensures effective maintenance of the furniture, he said maintenance measures had already been put in place, in which the institution hired welders to reinforce the furniture, ensuring durability. “We are making sure they are properly maintained,” he emphasized.

He expressed hope for continued collaboration in order to enhance effective learning environment for all students. “This is the first step. Not all classrooms are furnished yet, and as student numbers grow, the need for more furniture increases. We crave that UNDP continues to support us,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude: “We want to thank UNDP very much for the support. We pray they continue in the same spirit of collaboration, because institutions cannot easily do things by themselves nowadays. We need support.”

Students also warmly welcomed the support, describing the furniture as a relief from years of discomfort. Mariatu Kamara told Politico: “Before, we had to rush into classrooms and sometimes miss lectures or share desks. Now, everyone has a seat, and it makes learning easier,” said one student from the Faculty of Arts. On a similar token, Amara Bangura added: “It feels good to come to class knowing you will not waste time fighting for a chair. We can focus on our lessons.”

“When you sit properly, you feel respected as a student. It motivates us to take our studies seriously,” said Hamid Conteh, a final-year student explained. “We are grateful to UNDP because this furniture has changed the way we learn and even the way we see ourselves as students of Freetown Polytechnic.”

Photo Caption: One of the furnished classrooms

28/09/2026

MoPED, NGOs hold open session on development impact

By Abdulai Fasineh Dumbuya

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), through its Directorate of NGO Affairs, convened its monthly Open Information Session, aimed to review the work, impact and contributions of NGOs operating across Sierra Leone.

The engagement held at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Tower Hill on September 23, 2026, brought together government institutions, members of Parliament, development partners, beneficiaries and the media to review the impact nationwide.

Acting Development Secretary Usman Cherry Conteh stressed the importance of creating platforms for open dialogue between the government and development partners on programme implementation, results and opportunities for stronger coordination.

In his keynote address, acting Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, emphasized the value of the sessions in ensuring NGO operations remain visible, transparent and accountable. He encouraged constructive engagement and stressed the need for interventions to align with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities.

On his part, the Executive Director Sugandh Juneja presented the Pikin Tab programme, which uses technology-enabled education to strengthen literacy and numeracy among children, with calls for expansion to more schools.

Country Director Tiangay Gonde highlighted interventions in eye health, neglected tropical diseases and disability inclusion, announcing plans to construct a new eye-health facility in Makeni with support from UK-based funding.

Speaking on ‘Welbodi Partnership,’ Project Coordinator Elizabeth Bondu Conteh showcased maternal and child health initiatives, including the foundation device for early detection of pregnancy complications, and support for paediatric oncology services.

Representatives Welthungerhilfe and SEND Sierra Leone outlined their mandates, achievements and priorities, giving stakeholders insights into their contributions to food security, livelihoods and community development.

Chairman of the NGO, NACSA and Public Investment Committee in Parliament, Abdul Latif Sesay, described the engagement as vital for ensuring MPs have firsthand knowledge of community interventions.

Young beneficiaries shared personal testimonies of impact, including school pupils about how Imagine Worldwide’s Pikin Tab programme transformed her interest in numeracy, while a cancer survivor supported through Welbodi Partnership’s paediatric oncology services expressed her aspiration to become a doctor. Teachers and family support officers also spoke about the tangible benefits of NGO interventions in education and healthcare.

Officials commended the NGOs for their contributions and encouraged them to expand their reach, ensure sustainability and maintain alignment with national priorities. They reaffirmed government’s commitment to constructive dialogue and coordination with NGOs and partners to achieve meaningful and sustainable development outcomes.

The session featured presentations from five NGO partners – Imagine Worldwide, Sightsavers, Welbodi Partnership, Welthungerhilfe and SEND Sierra Leone – on their mandates, programmes, achievements, funding, challenges and priorities.

28/09/2026

Bio calls for Africa’s shared AI sovereignty

By Abdulai Fasineh Dumbuya

President Julius Maada Bio has urged African nations to avoid repeating historical economic patterns in the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) era, calling for greater continental leadership in developing, governing, and benefiting from technologies that will shape the global economy.

Speaking at a high-level AI roundtable on September 21, 2026, convened by Kenyan President William Ruto on the margins of 81 United Nations General Assembly, President Bio challenged African leaders to decide whether the continent would remain a passive consumer of technologies or take an active role in building and governing them.

“We have another choice. We can build what we can build ourselves, work together where scale is necessary, protect what is sovereign and engage the rest of the world on terms that reflect our interests,” he said.

Bio described this approach as “shared sovereignty,” emphasizing cooperation in areas requiring scale while retaining national control over sovereign matters. He highlighted Africa’s infrastructure gap, noting that despite being home to one-fifth of humanity, the continent accounts for only a fraction of global data-centre capacity.

For Sierra Leone, he disclosed that the country is developing its first national AI strategy with World Bank support, tailored to local realities such as limited internet access. He stressed that solutions must work on mobile devices, function in low-bandwidth environments, understand African languages, and improve everyday lives.

President Bio warned against reproducing extractive economic patterns in the AI era, cautioning that Africa must not export raw data while importing most of the value created. He called for investment in African talent, research institutions, languages, datasets and innovation ecosystems, alongside strong protections for privacy and rights.

“Our objective should be moving from mine to model,” he said, urging Africa to participate across the value chain – from minerals powering digital infrastructure to the models shaping the global digital economy.

On global AI governance, Bio urged African countries to engage actively in shaping rules rather than waiting until decisions are made elsewhere. He proposed practical cooperation on computing capacity, data governance, interoperability, safety, and regulatory approaches implementable by African institutions.

He also revealed Sierra Leone’s exploration of regional data embassies, where countries could host critical public data in another state while retaining legal jurisdiction. “The principle is simple: sovereignty should travel with the law, not simply with the building,” he said.

President Bio invited governments, investors and businesses to continue the conversation at the inaugural West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS) in Freetown, scheduled for November 17–18, 2026, where digital transformation will be a key pillar.

“So, what we discuss here in New York as principle, let us begin testing in Freetown as practice,” he said.

He urged African nations to embrace cooperation without surrendering agency, emphasizing that “we should not leave the next generation an Africa whose data, knowledge and intelligence create greater prosperity elsewhere than at home.” He added that sovereignty means having the capacity to choose, contribute and determine terms of engagement.

27/09/2026

Gov’t-owned Petroleum company underway

By Mabinty M. Kamara

About a week after it became clear that the government of Sierra Leone is planning to start the importation and sale of petroleum products, the government has announced the inaugural meeting of the board of a company called the Sierra Leone National Petroleum Company Limited (SLNPC).

The meeting according to a press release issued in Freetown on Wednesday September 24, 2026 “marking the start of formal board oversight as the company develops its operating plans and prepares to pursue commercial opportunities in the petroleum sector.”

It added that: “SLNPC has been established as Sierra Leone’s national petroleum company to advance the country’s commercial participation in oil and gas. Its proposed areas of activity include investments in petroleum ventures, the procurement and trading of petroleum products, and the development or use of storage, terminal and logistics infrastructure.”

The release adds that with the establishment of the SLNPC strengthens “government’s effort to strengthen the availability and security of petroleum-product supplies”, and that “subject to the necessary financing, storage arrangements and approvals, the company will examine how strategic stocks could provide a buffer during supply disruptions. More reliable procurement and access to reserves could help reduce shortages and moderate sharp price fluctuations, while any pricing measures would remain within the applicable legal and policy framework.”

The board members asked for the preparation of a five-year corporate strategy and business plan, “to set out the SLNPC’s priorities, operating model, investment requirements and approach to managing commercial risk. It will provide a basis for the board to assess proposed activities and partnerships before committing the company’s resources.”

The board also reviewed plans for SLNPC to assess suppliers and potential commercial counterparties, while management is to be tasked with preparing a trading and risk-management policy, with all trading activities subjected to the necessary legal approvals and the board’s consideration of its financial and operational risks.

The government describes the Sierra Leone National Petroleum Company Limited as “a vertically integrated private company incorporated under the laws of Sierra Leone to advance the state’s commercial participation in the petroleum sector. Its mandate covers authorized oil and gas investments, petroleum-product supply and trading, and related storage and logistics activities.”

The meeting was chaired by Foday B. L. Mansaray II with other board members representing the Office of the President, the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Petroleum Directorate.

The Board Chair told Politico that the company is 100 percent government of Sierra Leone owned and as such, aimed at seeking the interest of the people of Sierra Leone. He is hopeful that operations of the company will commence anytime soon.

Speaking to Politico, the Executive Director of Native Consortium Edmond Abu Junior said government investment in petroleum products has been part of their advocacies, describing the latest move as welcome news. However, he expressed concerns about the storage facility.

“However, the entire country’s storage facility is about 240 metric tons and the government does not own a storage facility on its own. That is why Native Consortium has been advocating for the government to go into a BOOT (Build-Own-operate-Transfer) Model to ensure that they construct at least an additional 100,000 metric tons facility around Sulima, Bonthe and Pepel,” he said. The consumer right advocate expressed hope that the intervention by the government will help liberate consumers from private oil marketing companies.

Photo Caption: President Julius Maada Bio

27/09/2026

SLPP stands firm on Musa Tarawally’s ‘ineligibility’

By Abdulai Fasineh Dumbuya

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has reiterated its stance regarding the eligibility of Alhaji Musa Tarawally to present himself as an intended flagbearer candidate of the party, while emphasizing that it is prepared to defend its position in any court of law.

The controversy follows a September 19, 2026, public notice from the party’s publicity office advising SLPP executives, the general public and the business community against entering into political, financial or contractual transactions with Tarawally on behalf of the party.

“Any person who engages with Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally while claiming to represent or act on behalf of the SLPP does so without the authorisation of the Party,” the notice reads, urging stakeholders to verify directly with the Party’s leadership before entering into any arrangement.

The SLPP said the directive is intended to safeguard the integrity of its name, authority and official engagements, and to prevent any unauthorised representation of the party.

After an escalated tit-for-tat both on conventional and digital platforms, legal counsel for former Member of Parliament Alhaji Musa Tarawally issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) National Publicity Secretary, Moses Sellu Mambu, demanding the immediate withdrawal and retraction of a public notice issued against their client.

In a letter dated September 21, law firm Jengo, Sam & Partners representing Tarawally characterized the disclaimer as defamatory, retaliatory and unconstitutional. The Lawyers asserted that Tarawally – a fully paid-up party member through 2028 – has never conducted private business under the party’s name or falsely presented himself as its representative.

The legal team argued that the National Publicity Secretary exceeded his constitutional authority under Article 6 of the SLPP Constitution, noting that any restrictions on a member’s standing require formal disciplinary proceedings, which were never conducted. They further noted the notice was issued just one day after Tarawally formally challenged a separate attempt to terminate his party membership.

The law firm demanded a full written retraction, an apology and proof of any alleged unauthorized dealings within seven days.

Failure to comply, the lawyers warned, would result in multiple legal actions. These include filing libel charges in the High Court of Sierra Leone, lodging a criminal cyberbullying complaint with the Sierra Leone Police, and petitioning the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC). The legal team also stated readiness to escalate the matter to regional bodies, including the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

In response to the warning notice, Mambu’s lawyers representing Gevao & Associates, confirmed receipt of correspondence dated September 21, 2026, but reiterated that its client “maintains its position” on the matter regarding their client’s eligibility and will not retract its earlier public notice issued on September 19, 2026.

Mambu’s legal team urged Tarawally’s team to proceed with the steps outlined in their earlier communication, emphasizing that it is “prepared to defend its position in any court of law.”

There had been hopes among SLPP members we spoke to that tensions would ease after the party would have produced documents challenging Tarawally’s eligibility and restored confidence and transparency in relation to the matter. Apparently, it seems that the two parties would turn to the court as their last recourse to slide the tension.

It is also believed that the dispute underscores ongoing tensions within the party as it prepares for internal flagbearer contests ahead of national elections in 2028.

25/09/2026

In today’s edition:

Politico Online

03/10/2026

03/10/2026

02/10/2026

01/10/2026

30/09/2026

28/09/2026

28/09/2026

27/09/2026

27/09/2026

25/09/2026

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