Sylvia Blyden versus the EU Elections Observation Mission: An explainer
The High Court of Sierra Leone on Thursday, 7th May, dismissed a lawsuit by politician Sylvia Olayinka Blyden against the Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) in the 2023 general elections, Elvin Incir and other senior officers. Ms Incir and her colleagues were named in the defamation lawsuit in which Blyden […]
The Zainab Sheriff trial: justice or message?
Zainab’s conviction is bad for Sierra Leone. In this day and age, we should not be convicting and jailing people for what they say, especially when enforcement appears selective. The situation was entirely avoidable. Zainab’s statements carry little or no weight; she holds no formal authority within any political party. With all respect due her for her personal achievements, her words are of little concern and do not warrant the full force of the State. This is why many argue the case goes beyond Zainab Sheriff. It appears to send a message. A warning to other critical voices who dare to speak freely.
Going after National Elections Watch is a very bad idea
In an unprecedented and controversial move, Parliament this week decided to set up a special committee to investigate National Elections Watch (NEW), a large coalition of civil society organisations and the country’s leading election observer body. The motion was introduced by two ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) members, Mustapha Sellu and Ambrose Lebby, and […]
Zainab Sheriff and the price of dissent
Sierra Leonean entertainer, model and political activist Zainab Sheriff has been in jail since her first court appearance on 23 February, 2026. She was denied bail again by Magistrate Braima Jah during her third appearance at the Pademba Road Magistrates Court. The matter came up again on 11 March, 2026. This means the activist and […]
Lawful, but wise?
Well, well, well! It has been an eventful couple of weeks in the Republic. While such developments are not uncommon, some of the events have been as interesting as they are concerning. From the ongoing debate around constitutional amendments and the President triggering the process to nominate a substantive elections chief, to the unintended, but […]