On 21st March, 2023 the Government of Sierra Leone signed a shareholders’ agreement with ARISE IIP (SL) Limited for the management of a special purpose vehicle in charge of managing and operating the Pepel rail and port. ARISE owns 90% of the company with 10% ownership by the Government of Sierra Leone. In the shareholders’ agreement, the Government of Sierra …

Sierra Leone’s economy is projected to grow at 3.7% on average during 2023–25, below its long-term trend. This scenario is predicated on sound domestic policies, including a tight monetary stance to combat inflation, and an equally conservative fiscal policy to decrease debt pressures and rebuild fiscal space. Headline inflation could moderate gradually to 14% and the fiscal deficit decline to …

In preparation for its next Ministerial Conference (MC-13) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in February next year, the World Trade Organisation this week hosted Senior Officials from all over the world in Geneva. The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the WTO. The preparatory meetings in Geneva, from 23-24 October, focused on agriculture and food security, fisheries …

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has addressed the Committee of Ambassadors from the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), on the sidelines of the Rebranding Africa Forum, making a strong case for Sierra Leone as one of Africa’s investment destinations. The President, who was in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday as a guest of honour and keynote …

Mediated dialogue between the government of Sierra Leone and the All Peoples Congress party – 16-18 October 2023. An agreement for national unity Resolutions The parties resolved the following: 1. His Excellency the President to make a national address on dialogue, unity, cohesion, and peace. 2. The APC will end its “non-participation in governance” 3. His Excellency the President in …

𝐁𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐚. Sir Milton Margai of the SLPP served as Sierra Leone’s head of government from 1954 until his sudden demise in 1964. He served as the country’s first Prime Minister from 1961 until his death on 28th April, 1964. His biggest legacy is the attainment of Independence from British colonial rule on 27th April, 1961. To date, Sir …

𝐁𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐛𝐨. I was as concerned and agitated as many others in the APC about the way and manner the 2023 election was conducted as well as the outcome. I wished that the election could be done again, and I eagerly wanted my candidate Samura Kamara to be president. But as time progressed and I had deeper reflections …

𝐁𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭. I have just glanced through the final observation report that the European Union has issued, and indeed it makes an interesting reading. Here are my quick highlights: The June 2023 multi-tier elections were generally calm and peaceful. This lends credence to Sierra Leone as 3rd most peaceful country in Africa and 47th in the world. …

After our nation’s successful multi-tier elections on June 24, we stand resolved to strengthen our democratic foundations. Recognising the significance of deepening our democracy, I have instituted a National Electoral Systems Review Committee to address historical challenges in our electoral process. Since our first multi-tier General Elections were conducted after the civil war ended in 2002, the first General Elections …

The Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura delivered a resounding endorsement of President Julius Maada Bio’s national policies aimed at empowering the youth. Addressing his colleagues in a Ministerial Round Table discussion at Marlborough House, the head office of the Commonwealth, Mr Bangura described President Bio’s approach to youth empowerment as “radical, revolutionary, and reformative.” He passionately discussed the …