Many Sierra Leoneans believe that homosexuality, Lesbianism and Bisexual is practiced exclusively by, or through inducements from foreigners. A number of Sierra Leoneans, even those with considerable exposure to Western culture, said that homosexuality does not exist locally, and any cases were due directly to Western influence The few Sierra Leoneans who admitted knowing someone they believed to be homosexual said that in no case would anyone openly admit it, and if they did, they would be shunned by their families and friends and possibly threatened by community members and the law carries a penalty of life imprisonment or death penalty for “indecent assault” upon a man or 10 years for attempting such an assault
Politicians, political parties, and other political organizations in Sierra Leone avoid making public statements on LGBT rights or come out in opposition to them on religious grounds. Members of the LGBT community in Sierra Leone began to campaign for LGBT rights in 2002, with the creation of the Dignity Association.
The Sierra Leone Police has declared wanted the Leader of Dignity Association Mathew Dumbuya of following a police raid on the resident at Aberdeen Road, this press has learned.
Working on intelligence, two trucks loaded with Police raided the residence of the group where the leader is also residing. Some members of the group were arrested during the raid, and are now in police custody helping them with the investigation.
This press has learned that the head of this group come from an Islamic background and his father is an Imam and a Traditional Leader, and it is believed that he is against the practice of what is believed to be “ungodly.”
Knowing that his son is bisexual and also a leader of a renowned LGBT association called Dignity Association, he was disowned by his father because it is against the practice and beliefs.
The wanted leader left his father’s house to start a life on his own as part of an effort to continue his trade. He moved to Aberdeen Road with his wife and some of his association members as his residence was also used as their headquarters and meeting point in a community where the practice is highly unacceptable.
Sources have said the Aberdeen Community on two occasions ganged up and raided their resident, beating them up mercilessly, stealing their properties, and nearly setting the house ablaze.
All efforts by the community people to put an end to the Association proved fruitless because of the hard work of the leader for them to be accepted in the community and the country.
This press spoke to one of the senior officers who was part of the team that raided the residence of the leader, he said those who are in police custody will be charged court.
When asked about the leader Mathew Dumbuya, he said the leader escaped with his wife when learned about the raid, and his whereabouts have not been known, which has precipitated the issuance of the police warrant with Le 50,000,000 (Fifty Million Leones) being put for whosoever will give out information leading to his arrest.
When the father of the leader is contacted about the whereabouts of his son he said he has long disowned him because of his practice and belief which are not in line with his religion, culture, and tradition.
Investigations continue.
