Remembrance is not an event.
January 18th is Remembrance Day in Sierra Leone. Close to two and a half decades after the brutal civil war ended, the country has now set aside a day dedicated to remembering the horror and reflecting on its torrid past. While this is a welcome first step and long overdue, we must remind ourselves that […]
This isn’t about Melvin; it’s about power, press freedom and democracy
In January 2025, the Speaker of Parliament, the Honourable Segepoh Thomas, banned journalist Melvin Mansaray from the Parliament precincts. The ban was immediate and indefinite. One year on, Mansaray, a parliamentary reporter and an outspoken critic of public institutions and officials, has not set foot on parliamentary grounds. What really happened? Mansaray was accused of […]
Feed Salone at Two: beyond the numbers
The government’s flagship programme for food security in Sierra Leone, Feed Salone turned two in October, with vibrant celebrations held during this year’s World Food Day event in Kambia. Two years on, it is worth taking stock of the progress made, highlighting the gains so far while also pointing out the gaps that remain. It […]
The President’s Kush Announcement: Hits and Misses
We return this week to the Kush crisis, following President Julius Maada Bio’s long-awaited address to the nation. After weeks of mounting public pressure and outrage, the President finally broke his silence, announcing a series of actions to combat the growing epidemic. His statement outlined measures to cut off the supply chain of Kush, provide […]
Who Is “Politicising” Kush?
When a government or party official makes public statements that fail to acknowledge their own responsibility and offer no concrete solutions, it exposes not only a lack of understanding but a lack of political will and commitment. So, who is politicising Kush?