AGP Executive Report

Parliament: President Bio has summoned MPs to resume sittings on Friday, with the Finance Ministry asked to submit development-policy operations for ratification. Digital Census: Sierra Leone has begun a 50-day countdown to its first fully digital census, with enumeration starting December 2 and officials urging nationwide participation. Coastal Livelihoods: Mahera Beach loses nearly 50,000 cubic metres of sand a year, damaging the coast and tourism while women who depend on the trade shoulder much of its economic burden. Health Financing: The government and the UN Economic Commission for Africa are exploring sustainable funding reforms, including a basic package of free health services and contributory insurance. Peace and Inclusion: Speaking in Geneva, Bio said women and young people must help shape peace decisions, not simply attend negotiations. Trafficking: Sierra Leone remains on the U.S. State Department’s Tier 2 list; investigations and prosecutions increased, but convictions fell and victim services remain limited. Energy: Sierra Leone’s Energy Ministry has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Oil Sustainability Program to advance sustainable energy access.

Health Financing: Health Minister Austin Demby and the UN Economic Commission for Africa are working on reforms that could provide essential care free at the point of use, backed by insurance and stronger domestic funding. Community Health: A China-Sierra Leone medical outreach in Waterloo provided free care and donated medicines and supplies. Press Freedom: SLAJ condemned the alleged assault of Hope FM manager Ishmail Stanley Bangura at an APC office in Makeni and called for the return of two phones; police are investigating. Constitutional Dispute: The Supreme Court’s hearing on constitutional amendments has been repeatedly adjourned amid political tension, while former Justice Minister Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara was granted bail after his contempt detention. Food Production: Sierra Leone’s poultry sector remains heavily reliant on imports: local output meets only about 15% of egg demand, underscoring the challenge of delivering food sovereignty. Energy Cooperation: Sierra Leone’s Energy Ministry signed a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Oil Sustainability Program to advance sustainable energy access; a separate agreement aims to support clean cooking with LPG.

Health Financing: The UN Economic Commission for Africa has begun five days of talks with Sierra Leone’s government to support health-sector reforms and increase sustainable domestic funding, with the aim of easing the burden of out-of-pocket costs. Girls’ Rights: Girls in Kabala urged stronger action against child marriage and female genital mutilation at a UNFPA-backed symposium, highlighting how both practices can disrupt education and limit future opportunities. Community Healthcare: Police opened a clinic in Tankoro, Kono District, to serve officers and nearby residents, with plans to expand its services. Regional Cooperation: Sierra Leone joined seven West African countries in Banjul to advance border demarcation, security and cross-border cooperation. Football: Sierra Leone defender Juma Bah made his Bundesliga debut for Augsburg, playing 81 minutes in a 2–2 draw with Bayern Munich. Food Production: A new analysis says local poultry farms are growing, but imports still dominate, underscoring the challenge of turning Feed Salone’s food-sovereignty goals into a stronger domestic industry.

Political Tensions: Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara was detained during a Supreme Court hearing on the constitutional amendment challenge and later granted bail. The case has heightened tensions between the APC and SLPP, whose officials traded accusations over the incident. Girls’ Rights: Girls in Kabala called for stronger action against child marriage and female genital mutilation, urging communities to protect their education and choices. Economy: The Bank of Sierra Leone raised its policy rate to 17.25% as inflation reached 15.66% in August; reserves covered just 1.8 months of imports. Education: The government declared public university lecturers’ strike unlawful and ordered staff back to work by Monday, while negotiations continue. Community Health: Police opened a clinic in Kono to serve officers and nearby residents. Digital Security: Hackers targeted 44 websites using Sierra Leone’s .sl domain; authorities said the threat had been neutralised. Regional Business: Four Sierra Leonean startups showcased their ideas at the ECOWAS Startup Awards in Abuja. Development Partnership: Sierra Leone and Germany reviewed delays in customs clearance, tax refunds, residence permits and road maintenance.

Constitutional Dispute: APC lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara has been granted bail after his detention during a Supreme Court hearing on proposed constitutional amendments. The case has been adjourned again, amid warnings that the dispute could deepen political tensions. Diplomacy: President Julius Maada Bio arrived in Geneva for the Peace Forum, where he is due to speak on peace, security and democratic governance. Cybersecurity: Hackers targeted Sierra Leone’s .sl domain, affecting 44 websites, including one government site. Authorities say the threat has been neutralised and restoration work is under way. Startups: Four Sierra Leonean businesses showcased their ideas at the ECOWAS Startup Awards in Abuja, among 60 finalists selected from about 10,600 applicants. Universities: The government has called public university lecturers’ strike unlawful and ordered staff back to work as negotiations continue. Germany Partnership: Freetown and Berlin are working through development hurdles, including customs delays, unpaid tax refunds and road maintenance.

Diplomacy: President Julius Maada Bio arrived in Geneva to deliver the opening keynote at the Peace Forum, with regional security and democratic governance on his agenda. Politics and Justice: APC flagbearer aspirants called for Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara’s release after he was detained during Supreme Court hearings on a disputed constitutional amendment, urging restraint as tensions rise. Digital Security: Authorities say hackers targeted Sierra Leone’s .sl domain, affecting 44 website addresses, including one government site; the threat has been neutralised and restoration work is underway. Business and Jobs: Sierra Leone and Germany reviewed development-partnership delays, including customs clearance and road maintenance. Separately, Marampa Mines’ restructuring could put more than 900 jobs at risk. Startups: Four Sierra Leonean ventures showcased their ideas at the ECOWAS Startup Awards in Abuja, selected from a regional pool of about 10,600 applications. Education: The government has declared public-university lecturers’ strike unlawful and ordered staff back to work, while negotiations continue.

Cybersecurity: Hackers compromised Sierra Leone’s .sl domain system, affecting 44 website addresses, including one government site. The Information Ministry says the threat was contained and restoration is under way. Startups: Four Sierra Leonean ventures showcased their work at the ECOWAS Startup Awards in Abuja, selected from about 10,600 applicants. Universities: The government has declared public university lecturers’ strike unlawful and ordered them back to work before campuses reopen, while saying talks on their demands will continue. Constitutional Dispute: The Supreme Court has again adjourned the challenge to the constitutional amendment’s passage. Opposition lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara was detained after a courtroom clash with the Chief Justice and later granted bail. Investment: President Julius Maada Bio and investor Tony Elumelu are promoting a West African summit in Freetown, with an investment pipeline estimated at more than $180 billion. Health: Sierra Leone has only two psychiatrists for a population of about seven million, while an estimated 98.8% of people needing formal mental-health care go untreated. Development Partnership: Sierra Leone and Germany reviewed customs delays, unpaid tax refunds, residence permits and upkeep of German-funded roads.

University Strike: The government has declared public university lecturers’ industrial action unlawful and ordered them back to work before campuses reopen on October 12, while talks over their pay demands continue. Development Ties: Sierra Leone and Germany reviewed customs delays, unpaid tax refunds, residence permits and maintenance of German-funded roads; one GIZ shipment has reportedly been awaiting clearance for more than six months. Constitutional Dispute: Tensions flared at the Supreme Court during hearings over the disputed constitutional amendment, after opposition lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara was detained for contempt. He was later granted bail, with the case continuing. Economic Pressures: The Bank of Sierra Leone raised its policy rate to 17.25% as annual inflation climbed to 15.66% in August, while reserves covered just 1.8 months of imports. Investment: President Julius Maada Bio and investor Tony Elumelu urged West African businesses to invest in energy, agribusiness, minerals and digital industries ahead of an integration summit planned for Sierra Leone in November. Aid and Extradition: The EU has suspended €18 million in support, officially citing technical issues, amid a separate dispute over the Netherlands’ efforts to secure the extradition of fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, believed to be in Sierra Leone. Girls’ Education: A continuing programme will provide school supplies, counselling and peer support to 135 girls in nine communities.

Constitutional Dispute: APC lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara was granted bail after his detention for contempt during the Supreme Court hearing on constitutional amendments. The case, which questions whether Parliament met the required two-thirds threshold, is adjourned until October 13. Dutch Fugitive Row: The Netherlands is enlisting Ghana’s help to pursue Jos Leijdekkers, who is believed to be in Sierra Leone. The EU has suspended €18 million in support; Dutch officials link the move to the extradition dispute, while the Commission and Sierra Leone’s government cite technical issues. Investment Drive: President Julius Maada Bio and investor Tony Elumelu urged West African businesses and governments to turn regional integration into investment, industries and jobs ahead of a summit planned for Sierra Leone. Food and Farming: Construction has begun on an EU-supported fortified-food factory in Bombali, intended to produce complementary foods for young children using locally sourced ingredients.

Constitutional Dispute: The Supreme Court has adjourned the challenge to the 2025 constitutional amendments until October 13. APC lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara was detained after a heated exchange with the Chief Justice, then granted bail; the SLPP says it will respect the court’s ruling. Regional Investment: President Bio and investor Tony Elumelu are urging West African businesses to turn integration into investment and jobs, ahead of a November summit in Freetown. Food Security: Construction has begun on an EU-funded fortified-food factory in Bombali to produce nutrition products for young children, with a women-led enterprise sought to run it. Digital Security: Google says hackers hijacked Sierra Leone’s .sl domain registry and obtained bogus security certificates; the certificates have been revoked. EU Support: The EU suspended €18 million in support on October 1, citing technical reasons, amid disputed claims linking the move to Sierra Leone’s refusal to extradite a wanted Dutch fugitive.

Constitutional Dispute: The Supreme Court continued hearings on challenges to Parliament’s 2025 amendment process. The SLPP says it will abide by the ruling, while the court says the timetable depends on submissions from the parties. Cybersecurity: Hackers exploited control of Sierra Leone’s .sl domain infrastructure to obtain fake security certificates for major websites. Google says it revoked affected certificates and protected Chrome users. Investment: President Julius Maada Bio and investor Tony Elumelu urged West African businesses to turn regional integration into investment, industry and jobs ahead of the WAIIS summit in Freetown in November. Border Security: Liberian police seized US$400,000 in undeclared cash at a checkpoint near the Sierra Leone border; the driver said the money came from his cocoa business, and investigations are ongoing. Census: An APC official questioned plans for December’s census, but Statistics Sierra Leone says preparations continue with support from international partners.

Constitutional Dispute: The Supreme Court adjourned its hearing on disputed constitutional amendments after APC lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara challenged whether the State had properly filed and served its documents. The case concerns whether Parliament needed a two-thirds majority to pass the changes. Child Health: Sierra Leone and Germany have launched a project to build a child-friendly isolation unit at Ola During Children’s Hospital, with plans to train health workers in outbreak care and infection control. Cybersecurity: Google says hackers compromised the .sl registry and those for Ghana and American Samoa to obtain unauthorised security certificates. Google says its own systems were not breached and affected certificates were blocked or revoked. Economic Diplomacy: Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray urged Sierra Leone’s diplomatic missions to pursue investment, trade, technology and skills partnerships that deliver tangible benefits at home. Aid Dispute: The EU’s reported freeze on budget support remains contested: Dutch officials linked pressure to fugitive drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, while Sierra Leone’s government says the funding delay is technical and unrelated. Freetown Port: A container fire at Queen Elizabeth II Quay was extinguished, with no deaths reported; authorities are investigating the cause.

Freetown Port Fire: A container caught fire Wednesday at Queen Elizabeth II Quay, sending smoke over the port. The blaze was extinguished with no deaths reported; authorities are investigating. Constitutional Dispute: The Supreme Court is due to hear questions over the passage of a constitutional amendment bill. President Julius Maada Bio withheld assent and referred the matter to the court after opposition MPs challenged Parliament’s use of a simple majority instead of the required two-thirds vote. Regional Investment: Bio is in Lagos for a private-sector meeting ahead of Sierra Leone’s West Africa Integration and Investment Summit, scheduled for November 17–18 in Lungi. EU Aid Dispute: The EU has frozen €18 million in support, while Dutch officials have linked financial pressure to Sierra Leone’s handling of fugitive Jos Leijdekkers. The government says the funding delay is technical and unrelated to the extradition case. Mining Jobs: Marampa Mines is restructuring, with more than 900 Sierra Leonean jobs potentially at risk.

Freetown Governance Shake-up: Sierra Leone’s government says the creation of the Freetown West City Council is meant to decentralize services and bring administration closer to residents, while critics warn it could fragment systems and strain resources. Judiciary Watch: ECOWAS has sworn in five new judges for the Community Court of Justice, appointed after the July 2026 Lungi session—an important regional legal boost for citizens’ rights. Transport Update: SLPTA boss Isaac Ken Green assures that all 50 Waka Fine buses will be on Sierra Leone’s roads before year-end, citing maintenance and spare-part hurdles. Customs Modernisation: The NRA is preparing to launch the ASYCUDA World customs system at Jendema Border, with stakeholder consultations underway to speed clearance and improve revenue. Press Freedom Alarm: SLAJ condemns an alleged threat against newspaper editor Thomas Josephus Dixon, calling for an immediate investigation. Constitution in Court: A Supreme Court hearing on Sierra Leone’s Constitutional Amendment Bill 2025 is set for Oct 7, with lawyers arguing over whether the required two-thirds threshold was met. Jobs at Risk: Marampa Mines is reportedly restructuring and may cut about 925 jobs as iron ore market pressures bite. Regional Travel Rules: The Philippines offers 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 46 African countries, but Sierra Leone is listed among those excluded from the standard arrangement.

Public Transport Update: SLPTA boss Isaac Ken Green assures that all 50 Waka Fine buses will be on Sierra Leone roads before year-end, though spare parts and maintenance challenges have slowed full deployment. Regional Justice: ECOWAS swears in five new Community Court of Justice judges, urging impartiality and protection of citizens’ rights across the region. Aviation Safety: SLCAA DG Musayeroh Barrie calls for stronger regional cooperation to boost aviation safety oversight, especially for smaller regulators with limited resources. Constitution in Court: Legal commentary says Sierra Leone’s Supreme Court test will hinge on whether Parliament followed the Constitution’s required two-thirds threshold for constitutional amendments. Freetown District Dispute: The Sierra Leone Lawyers’ Society demands withdrawal of instruments creating new districts and cities, citing weak consultation and flawed parliamentary process. Customs Modernisation: NRA begins consultations at Jendema Border ahead of launching the ASYCUDA World digital customs system to speed clearance and improve transparency. Digital Justice Roadmap: Judiciary and the Attorney-General’s Office plan a national AI roadmap for the justice sector with UNESCO support, starting with the security sector. EU Aid Standoff: EU-Sierra Leone tensions over the Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers continue, with budget support suspended amid extradition disputes. Jobs Risk: Marampa Mines reportedly plans to cut about 925 jobs as it restructures amid weak iron ore prices. Procurement Conference: NPPA says Sierra Leone will host the 2026 African Public Procurement Network conference in Lungi from 24–27 November. Politics 2028: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr predicts SLPP will be voted out in 2028, while APC commentary warns the party must meet constitutional timelines and deliver policy.

Energy & Investment: Sierra Leone is drawing fresh global attention as Shell signs a reconnaissance deal for 19 offshore blocks, Eni moves to evaluate five blocks, Marginal Energy commits over $225m to exploration, and FA Oil advances seismic work—alongside plans for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline that could link West African gas to domestic, regional and European markets. Jobs & Industry: Marampa Mines’ “Marampa Reset” restructuring is reportedly set to cut about 925 jobs, with impacts expected mainly on non-permanent staff, as weak iron ore prices and high freight costs bite. Public Procurement: Sierra Leone will host the 2026 African Public Procurement Network (APPN/RACOP) conference in Lungi from 24–27 November, with a focus on transparency, accountability, e-procurement and open contracting. Justice & Tech: Sierra Leone’s Judiciary and the Attorney-General’s Office, with UNESCO support, will develop a national AI roadmap for the justice sector, starting with the security sector. Health: Ahead of World Meningitis Day, partners including the Ministry of Health and NPHA held a Freetown health walk to boost awareness and encourage timely care and vaccination. Governance & Prisons: The Correctional Service says prison numbers have risen above 7,000 while staffing is far below needs, urging recruitment of 1,500 more correctional officers. Sports & Community: Chief Minister David Sengeh highlights football’s growing economic and social impact after the Premier League opener in Bo. EU–Drug Fugitive Tensions: The EU-Sierra Leone dispute over alleged help to Dutch fugitive Jos “Bolle Jos” Leijdekkers continues to shape aid and diplomacy.