APC Delays Constituency Elections Again as ECOWAS Summit Takes Priority

Freetown, Sierra Leone – The All People's Congress (APC) has announced a further postponement of its pending constituency elections after the Office of National Security (ONS) advised that the polls should not be held during preparations for the upcoming ECOWAS Summit in Sierra Leone.

In a public notice dated 14 July 2026, the APC National Secretariat confirmed that the elections, previously scheduled for Saturday, 18 July, have now been rescheduled to Saturday, 25 July 2026 nationwide.

According to the party, the decision followed a meeting on 13 July involving representatives of the ONS, the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) and the APC. During the meeting, the ONS reportedly informed the party that security and logistical arrangements for the ECOWAS Summit would make it inadvisable to conduct nationwide constituency elections on the original date.

Responding to the advice, the APC said it accepted the request in the interest of national security, public order and responsible democratic engagement.

The party expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to members, delegates, aspirants and party officials who had already made preparations for the elections. However, it stressed that the postponement was based on a request from the ONS and was not a decision initiated by the party.

The APC also urged its members to remain calm, united and disciplined while reaffirming its commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible constituency elections once the new date arrives.

The notice was signed by the party's National Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya Esq.

 Government Unveils Groundbreaking Plan to Put Sierra Leone's 190 Chiefdoms at the Centre of National Development

Port Loko District, Sierra Leone – In a major step towards deepening decentralisation and empowering local communities, the Government of Sierra Leone has launched a pilot initiative that will allow chiefdoms to design their own long-term development plans for the first time.

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), working with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) and the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources (MMMR), has begun preparing Chiefdom Development Plans (2026–2035) in Maforki and Marampa Chiefdoms. The pilot is expected to serve as the blueprint for similar plans across all 190 chiefdoms nationwide.

The two-day exercise, held from 8–9 July 2026, started with the training of local facilitators and data collectors before expanding into community consultations involving Paramount Chiefs, traditional authorities, local councils, government institutions, civil society organisations, women, youth representatives, the private sector and other key stakeholders.

Launching the consultations in Maforki Chiefdom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, described the initiative as a transformative shift in Sierra Leone's approach to development planning.

She said that while the country has developed national and district development plans over the years, chiefdom-level planning has remained a missing link. The new initiative, she explained, gives communities the opportunity to identify their own priorities, develop bankable projects and make better use of local resources.

Minister Barlay said Maforki and Marampa were selected because both chiefdoms benefit from the Chiefdom Development Fund established under the Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2023. She noted that structured planning would help ensure these funds are invested strategically, transparently and in projects that deliver lasting economic and social benefits.

Deputy Minister Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, who led consultations in Marampa Chiefdom, urged residents to actively participate in the planning process, stressing that sustainable development is only possible when communities take ownership of their own priorities.

Local leaders welcomed the initiative, describing it as a significant opportunity to place decision-making directly in the hands of communities.

Representing the Paramount Chief of Marampa Chiefdom, Alhaji Alim Swarray said the process would allow every section of the chiefdom to determine its development priorities and strengthen local ownership of projects.

The Paramount Chief of Maforki Chiefdom also commended the Government for adopting a bottom-up planning model, noting that strategic planning is essential to maximise the impact of available development resources.

Director of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Combey, said the exercise demonstrates the Government's commitment to participatory governance by ensuring communities help shape the decisions that affect their future.

The initiative aligns with Sierra Leone's Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063. Information gathered during the consultations will be used to produce draft Chiefdom Development Plans before implementation.

If the pilot proves successful, the model will be rolled out across all 190 chiefdoms, bringing development planning closer to the people than ever before

Source: MoPED 

 Kailahun Rallies Behind School Feeding Programme as Government Pushes for Greater Accountability

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and the National School Feeding Programme Secretariat are strengthening efforts to improve school feeding across Kailahun District, with authorities calling for greater community oversight to ensure every child benefits from the program.

The National School Feeding Programme Secretariat, under the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, has engaged key stakeholders in Kailahun District as part of efforts to enhance the implementation of the Homegrown School Feeding Programme.

The engagement brought together School Management Committees, Traditional and Council Authorities, Community-Based Organizations, and other education stakeholders to discuss ways of improving collaboration, transparency, and accountability in the delivery of school feeding services.

Speaking during the meeting, the Ministry's Director of Nutrition, Sengbe Roger Koker, reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that every beneficiary school receives quality and reliable school meals.

He emphasized that transparency, accountability, and community ownership are essential to the program's success, urging stakeholders to actively monitor food distribution and promptly report any challenges to designated school feeding monitors.

Mr. Koker noted that strong community participation is critical to safeguarding the integrity of the program and ensuring that resources reach the pupils they are intended to serve.

Stakeholders welcomed the engagement and pledged their continued support for the successful implementation of the Homegrown School Feeding Programme throughout Kailahun District.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to sustained collaboration, regular communication, and stronger community involvement to improve school attendance, enrollment, learner retention, nutrition, and academic performance among pupils across the district.

Source: MBSSE 

 Attorney General Discontinues Criminal Charges Against Former President Ernest Bai Koroma

Attorney General Discontinues Criminal Charges Against Former President Ernest Bai Koroma

In a landmark legal development, Sierra Leone's Attorney General and Minister of Justice has officially discontinued the criminal proceedings against former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, bringing an end to one of the country's most closely watched cases.

According to a public notice issued on 14 July 2026, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay filed a notice to discontinue the criminal proceedings against former President Koroma in accordance with Section 45 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024.

The Attorney General stated that the decision was made in the exercise of the powers vested in the office under the laws of Sierra Leone.

Former President Koroma had been facing charges relating to treason and misprision of treason following the events surrounding the failed coup attempt in November 2023. He had previously been granted bail on medical grounds and has been receiving treatment abroad.

With the filing of the notice, the criminal proceedings have been formally terminated, and Koroma's bail has ended with immediate effect, as the matter is no longer before the courts.

The notice further confirms that the former President is now free to return to Sierra Leone upon completing his medical treatment or at any time of his choosing.

The announcement marks a significant development in Sierra Leone's legal and political landscape and is expected to generate widespread public and political discussion.

Source: Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice 

 Sierra Leone Begins Ratification Process for African Human Rights Court Protocol

Sierra Leone has taken a significant step towards strengthening its commitment to human rights by commencing the ratification process of the Protocol establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.

A paper seeking parliamentary ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights was laid before Parliament by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Alpha Sesay, marking the beginning of Sierra Leone's formal process to become a State Party to the continental human rights mechanism.

The move comes as Africa commemorates the 20th anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, with Sierra Leone using the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to promoting justice, accountability, and the protection of fundamental human rights across the continent.

Once ratified, Sierra Leone will join other African nations that have formally recognized the Court's role in strengthening the enforcement of human rights obligations under the African Charter.

The parliamentary process is expected to pave the way for the country's accession to one of Africa's key judicial institutions dedicated to safeguarding human and peoples' rights.

 Three Years On: How Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie Helped Steer Sierra Leone's Economic Recovery

Matthew Dingie Marks Three Years as Financial Secretary with Major Economic Milestones

From record-high inflation to renewed investor confidence, Sierra Leone's economic recovery story has been shaped by a series of reforms led by Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie over the past three years.

Three years after his appointment by President Dr Julius Maada Bio, Financial Secretary Matthew Dingie is being recognised for overseeing significant improvements in Sierra Leone's economic management amid global and domestic financial challenges.

When Dingie assumed office in July 2023, Sierra Leone faced soaring inflation of 54 per cent, a weakening exchange rate, and mounting fiscal pressures. Within a year, inflation had fallen to 35 per cent by May 2024, while measures to strengthen fiscal discipline and stabilise the economy began delivering positive results. The country's economy is now projected to record average annual growth of around 4 per cent.

His tenure has also been marked by major successes in securing international financial support. In November 2023, Sierra Leone completed the eighth and final review of the International Monetary Fund's Extended Credit Facility (ECF), unlocking US$22 million in direct budget support. A month later, the World Bank approved a US$65 million disbursement after the government met all Development Policy Operation (DPO) requirements.

By 2024, Sierra Leone had fulfilled all prior actions for a successor IMF programme, which received Board approval in October of that year. The country subsequently qualified for the IMF's Resilience and Sustainability Trust in February 2025, with the combined programmes expected to provide more than US$480 million over a three-year period.

Further progress was recorded on 18 June 2026 when the IMF Executive Board approved the third review of Sierra Leone's ECF arrangement, releasing an immediate US$31.7 million. The latest disbursement increased total funding under the programme to approximately US$158.6 million.

The IMF also approved a new Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) worth about US$211.5 million to strengthen Sierra Leone's resilience to climate-related shocks and support long-term economic stability.

Working closely with Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Dingie has helped strengthen relationships with international development partners while advancing fiscal reforms. He has consistently attributed the achievements to the collective efforts of the Ministry of Finance team.

As Matthew Dingie marks three years in office, the Ministry of Finance points to declining inflation, stronger fiscal management, and increased international financial support as key indicators of Sierra Leone's ongoing economic recovery.

Source: Ministry of Finance 

 Justice Comes Closer to Kenema: Chief Justice Inspects City's First-Ever Sexual Offences Model Court

KENEMA, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone's drive to strengthen justice for survivors of sexual violence has reached another major milestone, as Chief Justice His Lordship Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda inspected the construction of Kenema's first-ever Sexual Offences Model Court.

During an unannounced visit on Friday, 10 July 2026, the Chief Justice assessed the progress of the specialised court, which is expected to become the third Sexual Offences Model Court established under his leadership after similar facilities in Makeni and Bo.

Once completed in the coming weeks, the court is expected to transform the handling of sexual offences cases in Kenema and neighbouring districts by providing a dedicated judicial facility designed to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and strengthen access to justice for survivors, particularly women and children.

Beyond the construction site, Justice Kamanda also monitored live proceedings at both the Magistrates' Court and the High Court in Kenema. The visit formed part of his broader effort to evaluate court operations, observe judicial proceedings firsthand, and identify areas for improving the administration of justice.

The Chief Justice was received by Resident High Court Judge Honourable Justice Abdul Sheriff alongside the district's resident magistrates, who accompanied him throughout the inspection.

The visit drew positive reactions from litigants and members of the public, many of whom praised the Chief Justice's hands-on leadership and ongoing reforms within Sierra Leone's Judiciary. Residents described the project as a significant investment in justice and welcomed the continued expansion of specialised courts across the country.

With the Kenema facility nearing completion, Sierra Leone is set to further expand its network of Sexual Offences Model Courts, reinforcing efforts to deliver faster, more specialised justice for victims of sexual violence and advancing the Judiciary's wider reform agenda.

Source: Judiciary of Sierra Leone