Sewa News Stream

 An X post reports on an AD newspaper article detailing a tense exchange at a summit, where the Netherlands' Prime Minister Dick Schoof urged Maada Bio to extradite Jos "Bolle Jos" Leijdekkers, a fugitive convicted of smuggling over 1,000 kg of cocaine valued at €50 million. Leijdekkers, a 33-year-old Dutch national wanted since 2023, evaded capture by relocating to Sierra Leone, marrying Bio's daughter Agnes in early 2024, and integrating into the president's inner circle, as evidenced by photos of him at official events alongside family members. This family connection has complicated bilateral ties, with Dutch officials viewing it as state-sponsored protection for a major European drug trafficker, potentially affecting Sierra Leone's international aid and cooperation amid ongoing scrutiny of Bio's administration. Prime Minister Dick Schoof has urgently requested the President of Sierra Leone to extradite cocaine dealer "Bolle Jos" Leijdekkers....

Today marks a significant milestone: the 10th anniversary of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. While we take a moment to recognize this important day, our focus shifts to a troubling situation in Freetown. Recent reports from the Freetown City Council (FCC) highlight a disturbing rise in the number of deceased individuals found on the streets, especially among the youth. This tragic increase in fatalities has been mainly linked to the emerging Kush pandemic, raising urgent public health concerns. Since January 2025, the FCC has reported a staggering total of 253 bodies collected , putting immense pressure on the city's mortuary facilities and burial operations. The situation at the Connaught Hospital mortuary has become increasingly difficult, with a growing number of unclaimed and unidentified bodies. Similar issues have arisen in other regions, complicating efforts to accommodate additional remains. There have been instances where caretakers, o...

  It's been ten months since reports emerged that convicted Dutch drug smuggler Jos Leijdekkers was in Sierra Leone. Some newspaper articles  suggested he may have been in the country for more than two years before this revelation, indicating that Sierra Leone's president and his men welcomed the drug dealer with open arms.  In February, the Dutch Minister of Justice and Security  reportedly expressed frustration over the Sierra Leone government's lack of cooperation. Dutch media indicated that the minister was becoming increasingly impatient with Sierra Leone's handling of the situation. According to the NL Times , in September, Leijdekkers was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison and fined 24,000 euros by a Belgian court for smuggling 3,500 kilograms of cocaine in Antwerp in 2020. The report also stated that in 2024, he received a 24-year sentence for orchestrating six cocaine shipments totaling 7,000 kilograms, committing a violent robbery in Finland, an...

The University of Sierra Leone is a public university located in Freetown. Established in 1827 as Fourah Bay College, it was the first Western-style institution of higher learning in West Africa. Freetown was even nicknamed "the Athens of West Africa" due to the presence of the college. Currently, the USL consists of three constituent colleges.  Fourah Bay College is the oldest college and specializes in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, and Sciences. The Church Missionary Society founded it. The Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) was established in 1980. IPAM initially trained civil servants but now serves as the university's business school. It offers programs in business, IT, finance, and public administration. The College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) focuses on training medical and health professionals. The university is featured in Times Higher Education 's global "Impact Rankings," which assess universitie...

  Sierra Leone's passport is currently ranked #70 among residence and citizenship by investment programs. Meanwhile, Sierra Leone's "Passport Bros" are offering passports for prices as low as $140,000. Why is this occurring? It is due to President Maada Bio and his associates being deeply involved in corruption, which allows kleptocracy to prosper at the expense of the citizens. No country in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region should be selling passports for $140,000, except Sierra Leone, where it is reported that a drug lord finances the president. To acquire citizenship in Sierra Leone, one must make a donation of $100,000, purchase property worth $200,000, invest $1.5 million, provide $400,000 per investor, and pay $150,000 to the University of Sierra Leone. Some non-Africans in Sierra Leone are still denied access to its heritage and business opportunities, despite many having contributed significantly more than the $140,000 fee. In comp...

  The World Bank recently released the Sierra Leone Country Economic Memorandum, which provides a roadmap for achieving sustainable development and creating jobs for the country's growing workforce. Despite possessing many assets and showing signs of recovery from the devastating civil war, Sierra Leone remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The nation boasts rich mineral resources, a young population, abundant arable land, and favorable rainfall, all of which contribute significantly to its economic potential. Although some positive steps have been taken to harness this potential—including a successful transition from the civil war and subsequent stability—much progress is still necessary. The country is significantly underperforming relative to its capabilities and is lagging behind other similar nations, with over a quarter of the population living in extreme poverty. Notably, Sierra Leone ranked 27th lowest in per capita GDP in 2002 but now ranks 11th lowest. The go...

  In this archive photo , Sierra Leone's First Lady, Fatima Bio, is seen speaking as president of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development to promote their mission for women and children across Africa. Clearly, Mrs. Bio takes her role as a political spouse seriously. She also understands that her support—or lack of support—for various interest groups can spark debate and create challenges, especially during party conventions, where she was recently confronted by her opponents for endorsing her preferred candidates. However, she believes that being mocked, harassed, and humiliated in Parliament just moments before her husband, President Maada Bio, was scheduled to deliver his speech at the State Opening went too far. Her protest against the unprecedented disrespect shown to a first lady has received sympathy from some parts of the Sierra Leonean public. While members of parliament and her political rivals have been quick to mock her, many people acknowledge the chall...

A research paper titled " Application of Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Monkeypox " reports that numerous AI models have been created for the precise diagnosis of Monkeypox. Mpox is a viral infection marked by symptoms such as headaches, chills, and fever. Skin lumps and rashes appear, resembling those seen in smallpox, measles, and chickenpox. The paper examined recent studies utilizing AI in mpox research, concentrating on diagnostic testing, epidemiological modeling of mpox transmission, drug and vaccine development, and media risk management. The authors conclude that this thorough review will serve as a helpful resource for researchers and data scientists working to develop strategies to combat the mpox virus and its spread. In May 2022, global health authorities announced that mpox had spread to multiple countries, posing a risk of becoming a global epidemic. Currently, no specific medication targets the mpox virus; instead, treatments designed for adult smallpo...

Last week, several newspapers reported that a district court in the Netherlands had ordered convicted drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers to pay over 96 million euros to the Dutch state. This ruling followed a confiscation procedure that initially sought a record 221 million euros in criminal assets. Prosecutors believe that Leijdekkers, a central figure in international cocaine smuggling, is receiving high-level protection in Sierra Leone. This week, the Gleaner newspaper reported that Abu Bakarr Naorie, also known as Buba NaOrie, has been identified as the mastermind behind a suspicious boat believed to be involved in cocaine transportation in Freetown. Naorie is the owner of a fishing company and is currently under scrutiny due to the recent discovery of a vessel suspected of transporting illegal substances. The fishing company has been accused of using its fishing harbor and cold storage facilities as fronts for drug smuggling operations. According to allegations, Naorie oversaw these ...

  Fifty years ago, on July 19, 1975, I looked in fear at the lifeless body of Ibrahim Bash-Taqi hanging on the high brick wall of Pademba Road in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Taqi was executed by hanging alongside former finance minister Mohamed Forna, Army Lieutenant Habib Lansana Kamara, and Paramount Chief Bai Makarie N'silk at Pademba Road. The turmoil began after a disputed election in 1967, which led to a military coup that overthrew Sierra Leone's civilian government following independence. This military rule lasted just over a year and ended with another coup that reinstated Siaka Stevens, whose All People's Congress (APC) had won the 1967 elections. Between 1968 and 1969, tensions grew between the APC and the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), which had governed from 1961 to 1967. Dissatisfaction increased among some APC members, leading to the formation of the National Democratic Party (NDP). This party fueled opposition against the APC through newslett...

The monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak in Sierra Leone has expanded over the past six weeks, with cases reportedly rising by over 71% in just one week.  According to a leader from the Africa Centers for Disease Control's Mpox Incident Management Support Team, there are indications that Sierra Leone accounts for half of Africa's confirmed Mpox cases.  However, Mpox is more than just numbers; it is a human story that Sierra Leoneans are honoring through heartfelt social media tributes . Among the deceased is Akmed Sidi Kamara, a mechanical engineer who became an entertainment business owner known as "Black Coffee" to his fans.  After earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Fourah Bay College, Kamara pursued a career as a social media influencer, youth activist, and humanitarian, eventually becoming the CEO of Black Coffee House of Entertainment.  In his final days while battling Mpox, Kamara bravely shared his experience with the public, advocating for awaren...

Jason Kindrachuk, PhD, an associate professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of Manitoba, has been discussing emerging viruses and Ebola on social media. This weekend, he shared his insights with over 20,000 followers regarding the Mpox outbreak in Sierra Leone, emphasizing the urgent need for vaccines as the situation worsens. Mpox is a dreadful and preventable disease, and the call for vaccines is critical as cases continue to rise.  Deutsche Welle Africa has reported that Sierra Leone has confirmed 3,011 Mpox cases and 14 deaths since the beginning of 2025, reflecting a 50% increase in just 10 days. The outbreak now spans all regions of the country. In response, authorities have converted a police training center in Freetown into a 400-bed treatment facility. Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, has been spreading increasingly in Africa since 2022, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global health emergency in 2024. Other African countrie...

Physicians from Médecins sans Frontières (MSF or Doctors Without Borders) have recently reported that Sierra Leone is experiencing an outbreak of monkeypox, or MPox, with an average of 120 new cases recorded daily since April 25, 2025.  MSF has rehabilitated an infectious isolation ward in the nation's capital to support the response to the outbreak. They have also donated infection prevention and control materials and installed a chlorine production unit. Furthermore, MSF donated a pickup truck and four motorbikes to the district health management team in Kenema District , located in eastern Sierra Leone, to enhance surveillance and contact tracing for MPox and Lassa Fever. With a population of 8.3 million, Sierra Leone's health system had already been struggling, as highlighted by the Ebola virus epidemic.  A 2022 study revealed that all vaccine doses came from abroad.  On April 23, 2025, Saidu Bah reported that Sierra Leone became the 14th member state of the African ...

Can Rapaport's vision of "Tikkun Olam" truly stand up against China's Belt and Road Initiative or the influence of a Dutch drug lord in Sierra Leone?  In 2017, artisanal miners from a small hamlet discovered a 709-carat diamond, later dubbed the Sierra Leone Peace Diamond. This village and the surrounding area lacked clean water, electricity, schools, health facilities, roads, or bridges. The Rapaport Group announced that for the first time, millions of dollars from the sale of the Peace Diamond will go toward providing vital infrastructure and improving the lives of some of the poorest people in the world. On March 12, 2025, the Rapaport Group announced its sixth trade mission to Sierra Leone . Serving more than 20,000 clients in over 121 countries, the Rapaport Group will lead an international delegation of diamond dealers, jewelers, and industry leaders on an immersive journey from May 4 to May 9, 2025. This trip aims to provide firsthand exposure to artisanal dia...

The Brussels Times , in collaboration with Belga , recently reported that Dutch drug lord 'Bolle' Jos Leijdekkers was sentenced to 13 years in prison in absentia. Leijdekkers, considered the most wanted person in the Netherlands, received this sentence from the Antwerp correctional court for orchestrating the attempted theft of 10 tons of cocaine. The court revealed that while the robbery was carefully planned, it failed. A total of 19 defendants were on trial, with two being acquitted. Seven members of the Dutch commando team involved in the attempted theft each received a sentence of ten years, while the other defendants faced prison terms ranging from one year with probation to nine years. Further investigations identified Leijdekkers as the mastermind behind the operation. Despite the prison sentence, it is unlikely that Leijdekkers will be particularly concerned. He has previously been sentenced to 24 years for his involvement in six drug transports and a murder contract, ...

In March 2023, a group of United States senators introduced the Transnational Repression Policy Act, which aims “to hold foreign governments and individuals accountable when they stalk, intimidate, or assault people across borders, including in the United States.” Joseph Turay, the publisher of the Public Review newspaper, is still not safe from transnational repression committed by operatives of the Maada Bio administration.  This week, Turay  issued a press release  denouncing Abdul Hassan Fackie's recent statements  on the online television program Wi Yard , which aired on April 12, 2025. Turay claims that Fackie's statements are false, including the assertion that Turay is not in hiding and that Fackie is currently in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with his vehicle returned by the police.  Turay explains that, since his arrest on February 13, 2025, alongside Dutch journalist Sophie Van Leeuwen, he has been forced into hiding due to threats to his life and safety. ...

Jos Leijdekkers, a.k.a. Boll Jos, remains in the headlines of Sierra Leone's newspapers despite the president's denial that he knows the wanted Dutch criminal Bolle Jos, reportedly his daughter's boyfriend or husband.  Recently, videos surfaced showing Bolle Jos celebrating with high-ranking officials in Sierra Leone, prompting the government to announce that it has launched a search for the Dutch fugitive.  Meanwhile, a Dutch journalist covering the Bolle Jos case was detained in Sierra Leone. Shaken by her experience, journalist Sophie Van Leeuw left Sierra Leone and shared her observations about the oppressive methods used by the Maada Bio administration to silence dissent and restrict press freedom.  This week, further reports emerged revealing that the Sierra Leone government is bribing and threatening local journalists to prevent them from reporting on the wanted Dutch drug trafficker, Jos Leijdekkers. According to De Telegraaf, several reporters in hiding have disc...