The air at Waterloo dumpsite (locally known as Bomeh), is thick with the stench of rotting refuse, yet for a single mother selling plantains and young men shoveling trash, it is the only place they can earn a living.

Despite a 2021 government promise to relocate the hazardous site and provide modern facilities, the reality on the ground remains a toxic nightmare. During a recent on-the-ground investigation, I spoke with waste workers, residents and petty traders who are bearing the brunt of the Western Area Rural District Council's (WARDC) inaction, painting a grim picture of a community left to survive amidst a mountain of garbage waiting to collapse on them.

Ibrahim Sesay, a young male worker at the dumpsite, spends his days shoveling rotting refuse, tasked with keeping the garbage from spilling onto the busy Freetown-Waterloo Highway. Alongside his colleague Alusine Turay and others, Ibrahim Sesay was recruited by WARDC to manage the site.

“Working at the dumpsite has been my only source of livelihood,” Ibrahim Sesay told me during our interview at the site, noting that the job subjects him to the scorn of relatives and friends who mock him for his hazardous occupation.

A photo of two young male workers shovels rotting refuse at the Waterloo dumpsite without any protective equipment.

While Ibrahim Sesay claimed that WARDC provided the workers with protective gear, the reality I witnessed contradicted his narration: not a single worker at the site was wearing any protective equipment. This lack of basic personal protective equipment (PPE) drastically increases their risk of chronic respiratory diseases, skin infections and gastrointestinal illnesses. According to research, air pollution alone accounts for 155 deaths/100,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Sierra Leone continuing to struggle with air quality due to pollution, particularly from the waste industry.

The council's narrative around organized waste collection rings equally hollow for the residents the system is meant to serve. Rugiatu Kamara, a primary school teacher living in the Deep Eye Water community within the WARDC jurisdiction, flatly denied the existence of any formal waste collection in her neighborhood.

“I have lived here for almost five years and I have never seen any formal waste management collector at my doorstep or my neighbors’ either,” Rugiatu Kamara lamented when I interviewed her.

Her experience is mirrored by Mariama Jalloh, a resident of Cole Street in Waterloo 555, who told me that her community lacks both a nearby designated dumpsite and any access to waste collection services. Consequently, residents are forced into street dumping, clogging local waterways with household waste. This inefficient and poor waste management system is a major public health concern in the country. The informal disposal method is a primary driver of the region's environmental crises; in Sierra Leone, clogged drains caused by indiscriminate dumping led to severe flooding and create stagnant breeding grounds for mosquitoes, directly fueling outbreaks of malaria, cholera and typhoid.

The toxic environment of Bomeh does not just affect the waste workers; it has also become the unwilling backdrop for local commerce. Amina, a plantain seller and a single mother of three, has been setting up her makeshift stall by the dumpsite for years, watching the conditions deteriorate daily.

“Each day, rain or sun, I'm here to find my daily bread for my children,” Amina told me, explaining that she has no alternative source of income or any other viable location to sell her goods.

A photo of Amina alongside her plantains for sale beside the festering garbage mountain at Waterloo Bomeh

Like the married couple who are also petty traders I spoke to nearby, Amina is forced to endure the overwhelming stench and the looming threat of disease just to put food on the table. Selling food in such close proximity to a massive, unmanaged dumpsite poses a critical public health risk. The World Health Organization warns that food prepared or sold near waste disposal sites is highly vulnerable to contamination from harmful bacteria, heavy metals and chemical pollutants carried by flies, rodents and contaminated water sources, significantly increasing the risk of foodborne diseases like cholera and dysentery.

Despite those unthinkable public health risks, these traders have no choice but to endure the conditions, pleading with WARDC to relocate the dumpsite to a secure, managed facility as they were promised years ago.

In March 2021, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning publicly announced that 200 acres of state land had been allocated to WARDC to relocate the dumpsite and transform the current area into a modern, multi-purpose market. Yet, years later, the garbage mountain remains.

When I physically went to the Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC) offices to interview officials about their concrete plans for the Waterloo dumpsite, there was nobody available to talk to, leaving the workers, residents and traders of Waterloo to continue breathing the stench of broken promises.

A photo of the sprawling Waterloo Bomeh dumpsite stretches along the Freetown-Waterloo Highway.

An additional photo of the dumpsite

Photos credit: Kemoh Saidu Sesay

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/63875

 

Sierra Leone’s growing demand for housing, commercial buildings and public infrastructure has renewed attention on the quality of materials used throughout the construction sector.

FAWAZ Building Materials is contributing to this development by making RANDCEM 42.5R Cement available to contractors, engineers, developers, masons and private individuals undertaking projects across the country.

Produced in Vietnam and packaged in 50-kilogram bags, RANDCEM 42.5R is intended for various concrete and masonry applications. These include foundations, columns, beams, floors, concrete blocks and other structural works.

FAWAZ Building Materials says the cement delivers consistent performance and dependable early strength when mixed and applied correctly. Its reported setting time of approximately 30 minutes under suitable conditions may also help construction teams work efficiently and maintain project schedules.

The company, however, emphasizes that cement quality is only one part of safe construction. Strong buildings also require professional designs, stable foundations, correct reinforcement, clean sand, suitable aggregates, proper measurements and competent supervision.

Controlling the quantity of water used during mixing remains particularly important. Excess water can reduce concrete strength, increase shrinkage and create cracks. Poor measurements involving cement, sand and aggregate may also weaken a structure and shorten its lifespan.

For some general concrete applications, builders commonly use a ratio of one part cement, two parts sand and four parts aggregate. Lean concrete may use one part cement, three parts sand and six parts aggregate. These proportions are general guidelines and should never replace project-specific instructions from qualified engineers.

Proper curing is equally critical. Freshly placed concrete should be kept adequately moist during its early stages to allow strength to develop and reduce the possibility of cracking. Failure to cure concrete properly can undermine its performance, even when reliable cement has been used.

RANDCEM bags should be stored in dry, covered and well-ventilated areas. They must be raised above the floor and protected from rain, damp walls, groundwater and leaking roofs. Once opened, any remaining cement should preferably be used within seven days or sealed securely against air and moisture.

Workers are also encouraged to use gloves and face masks to minimize exposure to cement dust and avoid prolonged skin contact. Safe lifting practices should be observed when handling the 50-kilogram bags, while cement must always be stored away from children.

Recurring concerns about building collapses have intensified calls for tougher construction controls in Sierra Leone. Structural failures are often linked to weak foundations, defective designs, inferior materials, poor workmanship and inadequate professional oversight.

Construction stakeholders have therefore urged the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau and other responsible institutions to strengthen inspections and regularly test cement products entering the market. Effective monitoring of importers, distributors and retailers would help protect consumers, discourage the sale of substandard materials and promote fair competition.

FAWAZ Building Materials says its distribution of RANDCEM 42.5R forms part of its commitment to supporting national development through reliable building products.

With construction activity continuing to expand, Sierra Leone’s ability to develop safer and longer-lasting structures will depend on quality materials, skilled workmanship, professional engineering and firm regulatory supervision. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/63869

 

Mercury International has officially launched two major end-of-year raffles offering six grand prizes valued at a combined $120,000 to its online betting customers across Sierra Leone.

The Vegas Game Raffle and Sports Raffle were unveiled on 24 August 2026 at Gigibonta on Lumley Beach Road in Freetown. The promotions are intended to provide customers with opportunities to win valuable prizes ahead of the festive season.

Speaking at the launch, Mercury International Managing Director, Martin E. Michael, said the company is building on the success of its previous promotions by introducing even bigger rewards.

“We recently concluded a promotion in which we awarded a house, and as the Christmas season approaches, we are returning with greater prizes,” Martin E. Michael said.

Under the Vegas Game Raffle, eligible players will have the chance to win a brand-new 2026 Jetour T1 vehicle, an automatic scooter and an 85-inch smart television.

The Sports Raffle, which is exclusively designed for sports betting customers, will offer a two-bedroom house at TAF Salone, a TVS tricycle commonly known as a Kekeh and a Lifan motorbike.

Martin E. Michael described the initiative as a record-breaking promotion and assured customers that all six prizes would be awarded to the eventual winners.

“These raffles are genuine. We look forward to presenting the prizes to the winners in January 2027,” he stated.

Mercury International’s Deputy Online Manager, Octavus Jackson, explained that interested participants must first register an online account through the company’s official website, mercurybet.com.

According to him, customers will qualify for a Vegas Raffle ticket after accumulating wagers worth NLe250. For the Sports Raffle, customers must place accumulated bets valued at NLe50 to secure a ticket.

Octavus Jackson said the company would continue offering bonuses and other incentives to customers throughout the promotional period.

“Everyone who participates has an opportunity to benefit. Mercury remains generous with bonuses and committed to creating life-changing opportunities,” he said.

He added that prizes such as a house, vehicle, Kekeh or motorbike could significantly improve the economic circumstances of the winners.

“Acquiring some of these assets would ordinarily take people many years, but Mercury is giving customers an opportunity to win them within a short period,” Octavus Jackson noted.

Mercury International’s Public Relations Manager, Alhaji Komba, said the company’s activities extend beyond sports betting to creating excitement and happiness among Sierra Leoneans.

“Mercury International is not only about betting; it is also about putting smiles on the faces of Sierra Leoneans,” Alhaji Komba said.

Both promotions will run from 24 August 2026 to 3 January 2027. The company said the grand prizes would be formally presented to the winners in January 2027. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/63868

 

Prominent Sierra Leonean academic, entrepreneur and chartered accountant, Professor Ezekiel Kalvin Duramany-Lakkoh, has concluded a significant visit to Monrovia, Liberia, where he promoted stronger academic partnerships, collaborative research, postgraduate education and youth participation in Africa’s development.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), participated in four major engagements during the visit: the West Africa Academic Leadership Meeting, a partnership meeting with the Liberian Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), a partnership and Memorandum of Understanding review meeting with African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) and the sixth session of Model United Nations Liberia 2026.

Reflecting on the visit, Professor Duramany-Lakkoh said the engagements provided an important platform for discussing academic leadership, institutional cooperation, research opportunities and the role of young Africans in shaping the continent’s future.

The West Africa Academic Leadership Meeting brought together academic and institutional leaders to exchange ideas on strengthening higher education across the sub-region. Discussions centred on how universities and other academic institutions could collaborate to address emerging challenges and expand opportunities for students, researchers and professionals.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh said participants placed particular emphasis on joint consultancy and research initiatives through which institutions could combine their expertise, resources and professional networks to conduct studies aligned with West Africa’s development priorities.

The meeting also explored the establishment of joint doctoral programmes. According to Professor Duramany-Lakkoh, collaborative PhD programmes could deepen institutional relationships, strengthen regional research capacity and enable scholars to pursue advanced studies within a more integrated West African higher education system.

He maintained that African academic institutions must move away from working in isolation and develop sustainable partnerships that promote knowledge exchange, academic mobility and cross-border research.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh’s meeting with the Liberian Institute of Public Administration focused on strengthening institutional cooperation and identifying practical areas in which the two institutions could work together.

Discussions covered joint consultancy, research and professional capacity development, particularly in governance, leadership and public administration.

He noted that higher education institutions and public-sector organisations possess complementary strengths that could be combined to address governance and development challenges confronting African countries.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh also participated in a partnership and MoU review meeting with African Methodist Episcopal University. The meeting assessed existing areas of cooperation and considered new opportunities to expand academic and research collaboration.

The discussions examined potential joint research projects, consultancy services and postgraduate programmes, including the possibility of developing joint PhD programmes.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh stressed that institutional partnerships must go beyond ceremonial agreements and produce measurable benefits for students, academics, professionals and communities.

He said the meetings with LIPA and AMEU demonstrated the willingness of regional institutions to pursue sustainable relationships capable of generating meaningful academic and professional outcomes.

One of the major highlights of the visit was Professor Duramany-Lakkoh’s appearance as guest speaker at the opening of Model United Nations Liberia 2026 in Monrovia.

Addressing participants, he challenged young Africans to look beyond national boundaries and embrace opportunities to learn, compete, collaborate and build professional networks across the continent.

He encouraged young professionals to take greater responsibility for Africa’s development by becoming innovators, entrepreneurs, decision-makers and builders of strong institutions.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh acknowledged the importance of understanding Africa’s colonial history but urged young people to focus more attention on practical actions that could improve the continent’s present and future.

He argued that Africa must build productive economies, improve regional integration and strengthen institutions capable of providing education, entrepreneurship and dignified employment opportunities.

“To avoid migration issues, we must build economies that create opportunities. If we strengthen institutions, invest in education and entrepreneurship, improve regional integration and create dignified employment, migration becomes a choice, not a survival strategy,” he stated.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh said meaningful investments in young people could help countries retain their talent and enable African youth to contribute effectively to national and regional development.

More than 1,000 participants attended the two-day MUN-Liberia 2026 conference, which was organized to expose young people to diplomacy, international relations, negotiation, leadership and collaborative problem-solving.

The gathering included 250 delegates from different countries who participated in six specialized committees: the United Nations Security Council, UN Women, UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Population Fund.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh described the scale and diversity of participation as evidence of the growing interest among young Africans in leadership and international affairs.

He said platforms such as MUN-Liberia enable young people to acquire practical skills, exchange ideas and interact with peers from different national and cultural backgrounds.

His message to the delegates was that young Africans should not regard themselves merely as beneficiaries of development programmes. Instead, they should consider themselves active partners with the capacity to influence decisions and build the continent’s future.

He warned that Africa could lose the enormous potential of its youthful population if governments and institutions failed to invest deliberately in quality education, entrepreneurship, regional integration and decent employment.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh said the meetings and discussions in Monrovia reinforced the importance of stronger connections among African institutions, researchers, governments and young professionals.

He called on academic institutions to collaborate more closely, researchers to undertake cross-border projects and universities to create more opportunities for joint postgraduate education.

According to him, Africa possesses enormous human and intellectual resources, but their full potential can only be realised through systems that allow people to learn from one another, work together and access opportunities beyond their national boundaries.

Professor Duramany-Lakkoh described his visit as more than a series of formal meetings, saying it contributed to a broader discussion about using institutional cooperation to build knowledge, strengthen capacity and create opportunities for future generations.

He noted that the debates, negotiations and consensus-building exercises undertaken by MUN-Liberia delegates demonstrated that Africa’s young people must not only be prepared for the future but must also be given opportunities to help shape it.

“The future of Africa will be shaped by the quality of its institutions, the strength of its partnerships, the opportunities available to its young people and our collective willingness to work together across national boundaries,” Professor Duramany-Lakkoh stated.

He concluded that building a more connected, educated, innovative and prosperous Africa should not be treated as a future aspiration, but as a responsibility that African leaders and institutions must embrace today. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/63857

 

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) has completed the technical preparation of a Political and Electoral Education Curriculum for universities, marking significant progress in efforts to strengthen civic awareness and democratic participation among young people.

The initiative forms part of the implementation of Recommendation 13 of the Tripartite Committee, which calls for the integration of electoral and political education into university programmes across Sierra Leone.

The ECSL Technical Working Team concluded its final curriculum meeting on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, at the new Institute of Public Administration and Management building named after Professor Dr. Ekundayo J.D. Thompson.

The meeting concentrated on consolidating the curriculum and preparing the final draft for presentation to a wider plenary session involving Vice Chancellors, Principals and curriculum experts from tertiary institutions across Sierra Leone.

Members of the Technical Working Team reviewed and strengthened the contributions and technical inputs submitted by ECSL staff. They also ensured that the Commission’s proposals were properly incorporated into the curriculum and aligned with acceptable academic standards.

The final document is expected to provide university students with a deeper understanding of Sierra Leone’s political and electoral systems. Key areas include democratic principles, electoral laws and procedures, voter participation, political rights and responsibilities, electoral integrity and peaceful political engagement.

Students will also receive education on the role of citizens in democratic governance, respect for electoral outcomes, responsible political communication and the dangers of violence and misinformation.

According to the objectives of the initiative, the curriculum will equip students with the knowledge and critical-thinking skills required to make informed decisions and participate responsibly in political and electoral processes.

Universities are expected to play a greater role in promoting civic responsibility, tolerance, accountability, national cohesion and peaceful democratic participation among young Sierra Leoneans.

Young people constitute a significant proportion of Sierra Leone’s population and electorate. Improving their knowledge of elections, democratic institutions and governance is therefore considered essential to building a more informed, peaceful and responsible society.

The initiative could also help address political intolerance, electoral violence and the spread of misinformation, particularly among young voters. Through structured academic instruction, students will be encouraged to examine political issues critically, verify information and participate in national affairs without resorting to violence or hate speech.

The Technical Working Team said the latest engagement provided a clear roadmap for resolving the remaining issues and ensuring that the curriculum is comprehensive, academically sound and responsive to Sierra Leone’s electoral and governance environment.

Completing the technical work ahead of the plenary is also expected to make the validation exercise more focused, efficient and productive by reducing the amount of time needed to discuss outstanding matters.

The curriculum will now proceed to the plenary stage for final validation by university leaders and academic experts before its anticipated introduction in tertiary institutions.

Its successful completion represents another major milestone in implementing Tripartite Committee Recommendation 13 and institutionalizing Political and Electoral Education within Sierra Leone’s universities. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/63860

 

Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has pledged the Government’s support for an ambitious educational and employment initiative proposed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The initiative seeks to provide affordable, technology-based education while connecting qualified Sierra Leoneans with remote employment opportunities offered by companies worldwide.

Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, welcomed the proposal during a meeting with senior Church representatives at the Office of the Vice President in Freetown on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

The discussions covered the Church’s “Succeed in School” programme, its healthcare interventions and plans to establish a Global Education Centre in Sierra Leone.

The proposed centre is expected to deliver accessible, high-quality education and equip young people with practical digital skills that could lead to employment and entrepreneurship. It could also connect Sierra Leonean graduates with international employers while allowing them to remain and work within the country.

Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, described the Global Education Centre as a promising intervention capable of helping young people acquire valuable knowledge, develop marketable skills and earn sustainable incomes through technology.

He assured the Church delegation that the Government would support the initiative, including efforts to accelerate the documentation and administrative processes required to establish the centre.

The Vice President also praised the Church for implementing community-focused programmes that complement the Government’s development priorities. He noted that improved access to education and employment would help young people become more productive, independent and responsible citizens.

According to him, providing a young man or woman with the opportunity to attend school and secure employment strengthens not only the individual but also the family, community and country.

Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, said the growing partnership between the Government and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is contributing to practical education and technical skills development.

She highlighted the Church’s assistance to technical institutions, including the provision of equipment to support hands-on training. She explained that the proposed centre corresponds with the Government’s objective of expanding technology-enabled learning and employment opportunities beyond Freetown.

Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie stressed that embracing technology is essential to preparing Sierra Leonean youths for the changing global labour market. She said young people must be equipped with relevant skills that could enable them to secure dignified employment or establish their own businesses.

Senior Church leader, Elder Clark G. Gilbert, confirmed plans to establish the Global Education Centre, saying it could create hundreds of employment opportunities through online education and remote work.

Elder Clark G. Gilbert explained that the centre would offer affordable education and prepare students for jobs with employers operating in different parts of the world. The arrangement would enable beneficiaries to earn international incomes without leaving Sierra Leone.

The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen the Government’s broader efforts to promote digital learning, technical education, youth empowerment and decent employment across the country. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/63854

 

The debate over the Sierra Leone People’s Party’s leadership succession has intensified following conflicting statements from senior officials about who has the authority to select the party’s next presidential flagbearer.

SLPP National Secretary General, Umar Paran Tarawally has rejected remarks attributed to National Chairman, Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa suggesting that President Dr. Julius Maada Bio would determine the party’s next flagbearer.

Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa reportedly told a gathering of party officials that the SLPP leader would come with “a name” and members should follow the leader’s political direction. Some party members interpreted the statement as indicating that President Bio, who serves as the SLPP’s National Leader, would personally choose his successor.

Speaking on AYV’s State of the Nation programme on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Umar Paran Tarawally said the chairman’s comments did not represent an official decision of the party.

“What Batilo said is his own opinion and does not represent the party,” Umar Paran Tarawally stated. “As Secretary General, all I know is that we have not taken that decision. He was very wrong to say so.”

Umar Paran Tarawally maintained that President Bio would not instruct party officials that he alone should determine the party’s next presidential candidate.

“President Bio will never communicate such a message to anybody. Jimmy Batilo knew exactly what the President said,” he added.

According to the Secretary General, President Bio has consistently maintained that SLPP delegates should decide who succeeds him as flagbearer. He defended the President’s democratic record, arguing that Bio had demonstrated respect for internal party democracy and national democratic institutions.

Umar Paran Tarawally disclosed that the SLPP expects to convene its delegates between March and April 2027 to decide who will lead the party into the next presidential election.

“Anytime between March and April next year, we will definitely convene the entire party delegates and decide on who takes over,” he said.

The controversy has also drawn criticism from SLPP National Trustee for the Eastern Region, Dr. James Vibbi, who accused Jimmy Batilo Songa of playing political “mind games” with party members.

Speaking on Truth FM 103.9’s Morning Devotion programme on August 26, 2026, Dr. James Vibbi argued that Jimmy Batilo Songa’s remarks appeared designed to create the impression that President Bio had already identified a preferred successor.

Dr. James Vibbi said the party could pursue consensus among stakeholders and prospective candidates. However, he maintained that if no consensus were reached, the flagbearer should be selected through a free and transparent election conducted in accordance with the SLPP Constitution.

He described President Bio as a cautious leader who does not make important political decisions hastily. Referring to the SLPP’s previous national chairmanship election, Dr. James Vibbi argued that the President did not impose a preferred candidate on party members.

He claimed that if President Bio had openly backed and imposed a particular candidate during that contest, Jimmy Batilo Songa might not have emerged as National Chairman.

Dr. James Vibbi alleged that the chairman was invoking the influence of the President to persuade party members to wait for a decision that might ultimately serve particular political interests.

“Jimmy Batilo Songa’s statement and actions are un-chairmanlike,” Dr. James Vibbi said. “I might write to the Secretary General, for the attention of the party leader, regarding the chairman’s actions and statements.”

He stressed that the National Chairman should remain neutral because several aspirants, movements and ideological groupings are expected to compete for influence during the succession process.

According to Dr. James Vibbi, the chairman should promote peace, reconciliation, harmony and cohesion rather than appear to favour a particular candidate or political bloc.

He also questioned the constitutional status of the gathering at which Jimmy Batilo Songa reportedly made his remarks, describing it as a constituency-level grouping that was not properly recognized under the party’s Constitution.

Dr. James Vibbi insisted that his criticism is not motivated by personal rivalry or ideological disagreement. He said his principal concern is protecting the SLPP Constitution and ensuring that the flagbearer-selection process remains credible, fair and transparent.

Meanwhile, SLPP National Public Relations Officer, Moses Mambu, has attracted public attention after reportedly referring repeatedly to the party winning the “2028 or 2030 elections” during an appearance on Liberty Online TV.

The reference to 2030 has generated questions because Sierra Leone’s next presidential and parliamentary elections are generally expected in 2028. Coming amid debate over proposed constitutional changes and discussion about a possible seven-year presidential term, the remark has fueled speculation among Government critics about a potential “More Time” agenda.

However, no evidence has been presented showing that the Government or SLPP has formally adopted a plan to postpone the elections until 2030. The controversy has nevertheless prompted demands for Moses Mambu and the wider party leadership to clarify whether the reference was simply a verbal error.

Moses Mambu had earlier explained that Jimmy Batilo Songa’s remarks concerned the chairman’s loyalty and that of the party to the political direction of President Bio as National Leader. He cited Article 6(c), subsection 1(a) of the SLPP’s August 2020 Constitution.

Salone Political Watch has also joined the debate, arguing that the SLPP belongs to its members and supporters rather than one individual, movement, faction or interest group.

The organisation welcomed Umar Paran Tarawally’s assurance that delegates would choose the flagbearer but demanded clarification of the official constitutional procedure, who is authorized to communicate the party’s position and whether every prospective candidate will receive a level playing field.

It further urged the SLPP leadership to issue a collective statement to prevent conflicting interpretations from causing divisions among grassroots supporters, constitutional chairmen, stakeholders and potential aspirants.

The controversy now extends beyond the disagreement between Jimmy Batilo Songa and Umar Paran Tarawally. It raises broader questions about internal democracy, leadership neutrality and the credibility of the process that will produce the SLPP’s next presidential candidate.

With the proposed delegates’ gathering expected between March and April 2027, party members and the public will be watching for a process guided by the SLPP Constitution, equal treatment of aspirants and a clear answer concerning whether the next national elections will be held in 2028 or at another date.

The party also faces growing pressure to provide an unambiguous explanation of Moses Mambu’s “2028 or 2030” remark and reassure the public about its commitment to Sierra Leone’s established electoral timetable.

With preparations for the succession contest gaining momentum, the exchanges have exposed differences among senior SLPP officials over how the party’s next flagbearer should emerge. Party members are now awaiting an authoritative clarification that could settle the controversy and reassure potential aspirants that the process will follow the SLPP Constitution. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/63851