Sewa News Stream

Over the past decade, the United Kingdom has experienced several leadership changes, beginning with David Cameron and most recently including Andy Burnham.  While the United Kingdom maintained democratic legitimacy during transitions, as power shifted between elected officials, in  Sierra Leone, such changes often undermined democratic rule, with the suspension or disruption of elections and civil institutions.  British prime ministers serving from 2016 to 2026 include David Cameron (2010–2016), Theresa May (2016–2019), Boris Johnson (2019–2022), Liz Truss (2022), Rishi Sunak (2022–2024), Keir Starmer (2024–2026), and Andy Burnham (2026–present).  Political parties in Britain can replace their leaders through internal elections whenever a leader loses the confidence of a sufficient number of party members.  In contrast, Sierra Leone experienced a similar frequency of leadership changes within its first decade of independence. Still, these transitions were primar...

In industrially advanced countries, former presidents attending conferences is a common occurrence, and their experience and expertise are typically valued in international and regional events. By contrast, in Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio has persistently sidelined his direct predecessor, Ernest Bai Koroma (pictured in an undated photo from the swearing-in ceremony for his second term), along with other former leaders who came to power through constitutional processes. Recently, members of Bio's administration, some of whom have previously expressed extreme views regarding opposition supporters and parties, have advocated for the return of Ernest Bai Koroma by supporting the dismissal of charges that labeled him an enemy of the state. These charges also placed his former appointees and family members at risk. Koroma held the last free and fair elections in 2018, which ushered in Julius Maada Bio as president.  Against this political backdrop, the contested 2023 presiden...

In April 2026, Ghana withdrew from a five-year, $109 million health agreement with the United States, citing concerns about the loss of regulatory control and the requirement to share sensitive health data in violation of Ghana's data protection laws. A Ghanaian official noted that granting access to citizens' data without safeguards raised health equity and constitutional concerns, and questioned the purpose of sharing such data with the United States. Zambia and Zimbabwe have faced similar challenges regarding health data sharing.  In December 2025, the United States signed four new global health Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with several African countries, including Sierra Leone. According to the U.S. Department of State, these agreements aim to strengthen U.S. leadership in combating infectious diseases and reduce reliance by foreign countries on U.S. taxpayers. According to the press statement, the United States will provide over $30 million in 2026 to Sierra Leone t...

In a recent media conversation, a member of parliament in Sierra Leone was asked whether MPs had engaged with law enforcement agencies over recent headlines.  Responding, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, leader of the opposition in the Parliament of Sierra Leone, said heads of drug enforcement departments and agencies in Sierra Leone have testified in parliament, but he feels MPs must summon them again to explain the strong allegations swirling around the world. He said the allegations are serious enough to require MPs to act and help address the reputational damage Sierra Leone is facing. Quoting from a letter shared by the MP, the television host asked him about his thoughts on the letter he shared: The letter read in part: " The European Parliament is now openly discussing sanctions and the possible suspension of development assistance to Sierra Leone over concerns about drug trafficking and the refusal to extradite individuals linked to transnational organized crime. This is a serious warni...

  In a rare social media address, Samura Kamara, Ph.D., presidential candidate in Sierra Leone's 2023 elections, delivered a direct message to his supporters almost a week after his 75th birthday.  Kamara, veteran economist and former foreign minister, finance minister, and Bank of Sierra Leone governor, staked his legacy on this milestone moment.  Kamara expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love, warmth, and goodwill from his many supporters. He thanked his well-wishers for their kind messages, calls, prayers, and moments of laughter shared, which have reminded him of what matters.  Reflecting on these bonds, he noted the unity among Sierra Leoneans and their shared hope for a better future.  Contested results from the election indicate Kamara won 1,148,262 votes compared to 1,566,932 for Julius Maada Bio. Following these results, Kamara's party, the All People's Congress, demanded a re-run, citing glaring irregularities.  On May 7, 2026, Kamara poste...

Ahead of Sierra Leone's flag day on April 27, social media commentators have expressed concerns that the next elections may be influenced well before 2028, following the widely discredited June 2023 elections.  Jeminatu Sesay shared an infographic highlighting the roles of institutions, funding, and narrative in shaping election outcomes before voting occurs.  She urged Sierra Leoneans to scrutinize the institutions overseeing the process, those setting the rules, the sources of political funding, and the individuals shaping public opinion.  Another analyst, Alfred Peter Conteh, noted that election laws were not upheld in 2023 . Edmond Alpha, chairman of the Elections Commission of Sierra Leone, who declined to publish the 2023 results as required by law, has indicated he does not plan to change his approach in 2028.  Last week, the embassies and high commissions of Germany, Ghana, Iceland, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom expressed support for the International Mora...