Sierra Leone - The African Mirror

Jun

2023

African leaders in Sierra Leone played a key role in ending the transatlantic slave trade

FREETOWN, the capital of Sierra Leone on the west African coast, was named for the freed slaves who were returned to Africa by British members of the movement to end slavery. Founded in 1787 by a group of 400 black Britons from London, the colony ultimately became a refuge for nearly 100,000 people resettled by the British Anti-Slavery Naval Squadron. As a historian focusing on the impact of abolitionism, I have studied this history and the founding of modern Sierra Leone. Author BRONWEN EVERILL, Director, Centre for African Studies, University of Cambridge There is a misconception that Britain was the…

Jun

2023

By BIRD STORY AGENCY

From conflict to regional peacekeeping: The steady rise of Sierra Leone

NEWS

SIERRA Leone has made remarkable progress in overcoming a tumultuous past marked by conflict and has emerged as a leading force in promoting peace in the region. On June 6, the tiny West African country was, alongside Algeria, elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in a voting session of the UN General Assembly. Other countries elected included Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Belarus and Slovenia. Sierra Leone's seat will be taken up later this year. The election of Sierra Leone, whose candidacy was backed by the African Union, is significant as it represents the country's successful…

Sierra Leone Independence Day

Independence Day: April 27th, 1961 THE country celebrates on April 27th, marking the day that Sierra Leone became independent from the British Crown. This day in 1961 brought an end to a harsh period of over 150 years of colonial control. The Duke of Kent handed out royal documents officially making Sierra Leone an independent nation. The ceremony included unfurling the new flag in front of a large crowd of cheering citizens. Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It shares its southeastern border with Liberia, and the northern half is surrounded…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

UAE to suspend entry from three countries, Dubai updates travel protocols

COVID-19

THE 0 (UAE) will, from today, suspend travellers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Namibia from entering the country on national and foreign flights, state news agency WAM has reported, citing a statement by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The GCAA said the restrictions would also include transit passengers, with the exception of transit flights travelling to the UAE and bound for those countries. Cargo flights between those countries and the UAE will continue, as usual, the statement added. It said the restrictions were being introduced to limit the spread of COVID-19. The GCAA added that exemptions to its decision…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

Guinea declares end to Ebola outbreak

NEWS

AN Ebola outbreak which started in Guinea in February, infecting 16 people and killing 12, has been declared over, the health ministry and the World Health Organization announced yesterday. Health authorities were able to move swiftly to tackle the resurgence of the virus, which causes severe bleeding and organ failure and is spread through contact with body fluids, after lessons learned from previous outbreaks in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. "Based on the lessons learned from the 2014–16 outbreak and through rapid, coordinated response efforts... Guinea managed to control the outbreak and prevent its spread beyond its borders,"…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

COVID-19 delays Sierra Leone v Benin match

COVID-19

THE 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Sierra Leone and Benin that was rescheduled from March descended into farce yesterday after it was alleged minutes before kickoff that six of the Leone Stars players had tested positive for COVID-19. The match in neutral Guinea has been postponed again to Tuesday after Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials sought to quell the angry protests of Sierra Leone, having relayed to them during their warm-up that six players and two members of the technical team had tested positive. According to local media, the team management disputed the results supplied by the…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Sierra Leone anti-corruption body questions former president

NEWS

SIERRA Leone's former President Ernest Bai Koroma has been questioned in a secure location in connection with investigations into alleged corruption after his lawyer cited concerns over his safety, the anti-corruption commission said. The case concerns alleged wrongdoing in connection with mining, construction and procurement contracts during Koroma's 2007-2018 tenure. Koroma denies the allegations, and has said corruption allegations are part of a long-running smear campaign. This questioning is the latest move in a campaign by Koroma's successor, President Julius Maada Bio, to investigate the previous administration that Maada Bio says took the country to the brink of economic collapse.…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Anti-graft agents blocked from questioning former Sierra Leone president

NEWS

UMARU FOFANA ANTI-GRAFT investigators in Sierra Leone were forced to abandon a mission to interview former President Ernest Bai Koroma in his northern hometown of Makeni when his supporters blocked the road and threatened them. Koroma's successor, President Julius Maada Bio, has led a campaign to call to account the previous administration that Maada Bio says took the country to the brink of economic collapse. Koroma denies any wrongdoing and has said corruption allegations are part of a long-running smear campaign. Agents from the Anti-Corruption Commission (AAC) were unable to access Koroma's residence, which is among assets worth $200 million…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Sierra Leone anti-graft body summons ex-president Koroma for questioning

NEWS

UMARU FOFANA SIERRA Leone's anti-corruption body has summoned former President Ernest Bai Koroma for questioning under oath over allegations of graft while in office, it has announced. The summons by the anti-graft commission is the latest move in a campaign by Koroma's successor, President Julius Maada Bio, to call to account the previous administration that Maada Bio says took the country to the brink of economic collapse. His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, speaking at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London, 20 January 2020 It concerns alleged wrongdoing in connection with mining, construction and procurement contracts, and…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

Why Sierra Leone needs to focus on cardiovascular health

HEALTH

MARIA ODLAND, Research Fellow Global Health, University of Birmingham JUSTINE INA DAVIES, Professor of Global Health, Institute for Applied Research, University of Birmingham CARDIOVASCULAR diseases and their risk factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, are major causes of death and disability globally. Noncommunicable diseases such as these arise mainly from lifestyle transitions towards a high-calorie diet and low-activity living. These conditions were previously regarded as a problem for high-income countries. But low- and middle-income countries have followed the same trend. Now more than three quarters of deaths due to cardiovascular disease are in low- and middle-income countries. Despite…