Safea Leslie Moiwa, the Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in Kono District, and his family have become embroiled at the centre of escalating political hostility from the opposition All People’s Congress (APC). This friction arises from his staunch defence of President Julius Maada Bio, who is nearing the end of his final constitutional term, turning Kono into a heated political battleground.
The roots of this conflict date back to a private chat during the 2023 election campaign, where Chairman Moiwa reportedly issued a stern caution in a local bar: those who didn’t vote for President Bio would deeply regret their choice. Although meant to be a confidential conversation among friends, the remarks were leaked to opposition circles, with APC representatives portraying it as an undemocratic threat rather than casual banter. Suddenly, Moiwa was labelled “Public Enemy Number One” among opposition supporters in Kono.
Since the leak, Moiwa has faced a relentless barrage of intimidation and harassment. Initial verbal attacks on local radio and social media have evolved into genuine security concerns. As a key swing district that often decides presidential outcomes in Sierra Leone, Kono’s political volatility has intensified. The opposition views Moiwa as a significant barrier to their efforts to reclaim the area, while he remains resolute in his commitment to securing Kono for the SLPP.
With general elections on the horizon, the campaign against Chairman Moiwa has taken a more perilous turn. Recent security reports reveal that threats to his life and property are increasing, as local APC factions strive to undermine the ruling party’s grassroots mobilization.
Despite the escalating risk, Moiwa, re-elected as District Chairman and recently celebrating the inauguration of the Amina Maada Bio Hall in Koidu City, stands firm. He asserts that his earlier comments have been misinterpreted by desperate politicians, while his supporters caution that without improved security measures, the ongoing conflict between radical opposition elements and the SLPP leadership could spark widespread unrest before the elections.
