By Amin Kef-Ranger

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has reaffirmed his strong commitment to protecting the land rights of local communities, positioning his administration as a defender of justice and equity in land governance across Sierra Leone. In recent months, he has emerged as a vocal advocate for ensuring that community-owned land remains under the control of its rightful owners and is used to benefit the people, not to enrich a few through exploitation or abuse of authority.

His stance was made even more evident with the Government’s formal recognition of the land lease agreement between the people of Kasafoni and the Gento Group, a development that many observers have described as a milestone in the protection of customary land rights. By endorsing this lease, President Bio is not only respecting the sovereignty of communities over their land but also empowering a Sierra Leonean business to rise to prominence and contribute meaningfully to national development. His endorsement has been hailed as a historic moment, likened to positioning Gento as Sierra Leone’s version of "Dangote."

The Kasafoni lease agreement is expected to unlock major economic benefits. Plans to link the mines to the Banana Island Port by rail promise increased mineral exports, job creation and enhanced infrastructure; initiatives that hinge on land being made available through fair and transparent processes. By ensuring the community’s ownership was honored, President Bio has laid the groundwork for inclusive development and shown that respecting land rights can go hand-in-hand with economic transformation.

Throughout his presidency, President Julius Maada Bio has remained outspoken against illegal land acquisition and land grabbing. He has publicly condemned any individual, including public officials, who exploit their position to wrongfully seize land. According to the President, such actions betray public trust and will not be tolerated under his watch. “We are committed to ensuring that land belongs to those who rightfully own it,” he said firmly, stressing that land governance must be rooted in justice and accountability.

The Kasafoni case has become a national symbol of the struggle for land justice. A petition submitted to Parliament by Paramount Chief Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III, representing the Sambaia, Dansogoia and Diang Chiefdoms, raised significant concerns over land ownership in the region. While the Government has recognized the legitimacy of the lease, it has also encouraged continued dialogue among stakeholders, including the National Minerals Agency, the Sierra Leone Mines and Mineral Development and Management Corporation and the Gento Group. The objective is to resolve the matter amicably while upholding the law and protecting community interests.

Legal analysts and civil society groups have welcomed the President’s leadership, viewing it as a turning point in how land issues are addressed in the country. His administration’s actions are firmly grounded in the 2022 Customary Land Rights Act and the Mines and Minerals Development Act, both of which provide strong legal backing for community ownership and responsible land use.

President Bio’s bold, principled approach to land governance has given renewed hope to many across Sierra Leone who have long felt powerless in the face of land injustice. By standing with local communities and promoting a vision of development rooted in fairness, his leadership is setting a lasting precedent; one where economic progress is built not on exploitation, but on dignity, equity and the rightful ownership of land.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/as-gento-group-kasafoni-lease-recognized-president-bio-reaffirms-commitment-to-protecting-community-land-rights-across-sierra-leone/