By Mohamed Kargbo
Residents of the Kamayama community in Lumley, Freetown, have reportedly expressed strong opposition to an alleged same-sex relationship involving two men, with some community members allegedly making threats of violence against the individuals concerned.
According to information gathered by this medium, the incident followed claims that Mohamed ABD Malik and Sualihu French were allegedly seen by a neighbour engaging in a same-sex act. The allegation reportedly sparked outrage among some residents, including relatives of the two men, who condemned the alleged conduct.
Sources further claimed that several residents threatened to kill the two men, describing the alleged act as an abomination within the community. Both individuals are reportedly no longer in the area, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Homosexuality remains a highly sensitive issue in Sierra Leone. Same-sex sexual activity between men is prohibited under colonial-era laws, and many religious and cultural groups strongly oppose it. Human rights organizations have also documented cases in which people accused of being gay have faced harassment, assault, or other forms of violence.
Speaking to this press, the Chief of Kamayama Community, Pa Alimamy Turay, described the allegation as a serious matter and said the community does not tolerate such conduct.
“I have instructed the youths to capture and deal with the two accused accordingly. I have been hearing rumours that some people in the community are engaged in such acts. We are going to use their case to send a strong message to others,” he said.
The Chief Imam of the community, Alphajor Jalloh, also condemned the alleged conduct, saying it was contrary to Islamic teachings.
“As a religious leader, I cannot sit and watch such things happen. I have joined the community leadership in calling for the two men to be apprehended and dealt with accordingly,” he said.
The community’s Youth Leader, Saidu Bangura, also vowed to look for the two men.
“We have been instructed by the community leadership to capture the two men. They are nowhere to be found at the moment. They should continue hiding because if we get hold of them, they will not live to tell the story,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, Ada Kabbia, who identified herself as the wife of Mohamed ABD Malik, said she had previously raised concerns with members of her husband’s family.
“I felt embarrassed when I was informed that he was allegedly caught engaging in a same-sex relationship. Yesterday, some youths from the community came to our house looking for Mohamed and threatened to kill him if they found him,” she said.
The reported threats against the two men have raised concerns about their safety if they return to the community. As of the time of publication, there has been no official statement from the Sierra Leone Police regarding the allegations or the reported threats.
