Mackie M. Jalloh: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 19 January 2025: The cocaine trafficking scandal that has engulfed Sierra Leone has taken a dramatic turn, with Guinea declaring Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the country, Alimamy Bangura, persona non grata. The Guinean government has ordered Ambassador Bangura to leave its territory, a decision that starkly contradicts statements from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry claimed that the ambassador had been “urgently summoned” for consultations, raising questions about the Sierra Leonean government’s transparency and intentions in handling this crisis. At the heart of the scandal lies businessman Alhaji Bah, a prominent estate mogul with deep political ties. Bah’s name surfaced after his close associate and alleged “blue-eyed boy,” Alphajoh Bah, was arrested in Guinea. Alphajoh, also known as “Fresh,” was caught with the ambassador’s driver in a Sierra Leone Embassy utility vehicle carrying seven suitcases stuffed with cocaine. Alongside the drugs, authorities...

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Sierra Leone Telegraph: 19 January 2025: PowerGen Renewable Energy (PowerGen) has partnered with leading international investors to establish a scalable, distributed renewable energy platform targeting the deployment of 120 MW of renewable power, including battery energy storage solutions across Africa. The platform is a collaboration between PowerGen and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), the Danish Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), EDFI Management Company, through its EU-funded Electrification Financing Initiative (ElectriFi), and the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). The anchor commitment from PIDG was made through InfraCo, its investment arm, with concessional capital provided by PIDG Technical Assistance. SEFA is a multi-donor special fund managed by the African Development Bank that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Building on PowerGen’s thirteen-plus years of experience developing, implementing, and operating projects across Africa, the funds will support the deployment...

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Sierra Leone Telegraph: 19 January 2025: Experts from the U.S. Census Bureau participated in a joint assessment last week with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and Statistics Sierra Leone regarding plans for Sierra Leone’s national census, according to statement by the US Embassy in Freetown. The visiting delegation said they noted strong capacities in many areas, as well as areas in which more work is necessary in order to prepare for a credible census; and agreed on the following recommendations: • That an adequate timeline based on the necessary steps to achieve a technically credible census be prioritized over other considerations.• That to enable preparatory work to proceed, Statistics Sierra Leone urgently requires the immediate release of budgeted funds.• That to build credibility and guard against politicization of the census, plans must include inclusive oversight mechanisms. The US Embassy in Freetown, says that...

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Mackie M. Jalloh: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 19 January 2025: Orange Sierra Leone, one of the country’s leading telecommunications providers, has come under fire for its abysmal network quality, culminating in a hefty $1 million fine imposed by the National Communications Authority (NatCA). The penalty follows widespread public outcry over the company’s persistently poor services, raising serious concerns about its commitment to delivering reliable telecommunications. NatCA, the government body tasked with regulating the ICT sector, confirmed that the fine was necessitated by Orange SL’s repeated failure to meet service quality benchmarks. According to sources within NatCA, the company ignored numerous opportunities to address customer complaints, despite repeated engagements and assurances of improvement. Orange Sierra Leone, under the leadership of its CEO, Sekou Amadou Bah, has not only failed to deliver on its promises but has blatantly missed critical deadlines, including a December 15, 2024, ultimatum to improve services. Sekou Amadou Bah’s...

Rabat, Morocco – Four Moroccan truck drivers went missing Saturday as they crossed the restive border area between Burkina Faso and Niger, according to a source from the Moroccan Embassy in Burkina Faso and a Moroccan transport union. Three trucks, one carrying a spare driver, disappeared as they drove without an escort from Dori in Burkina Faso to Tera in Niger, an area known for jihadi threats, the diplomatic s Source link

NIAMEY, NIGER – A major journalist in Niger was in custody Saturday, an association said, a day after the private TV channel he runs was suspended following a report critical of the military-led regime. Seyni Amadou, editor in chief of Canal 4 TV, has been arrested, said CAP-Medias-Niger, which represents media workers in the country. On Friday, Niger’s communications ministry announced the channel had been Source link

Alpha Amadu Jalloh: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 08 January 2025: The inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama in Ghana presented a profound moment for reflection. With dignitaries and leaders from across the region in attendance, the occasion symbolized the triumph of democracy, and the reaffirmation of good governance built on integrity, accountability, and respect for the citizenry. Among those in attendance was President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, whose presence raises important questions about his thoughts at such a ceremony. What might have been running through his mind as he witnessed the democratic practices celebrated in Ghana, a country that consistently strives to uphold its democratic ideals? For many, it is perplexing to juxtapose the democratic principles articulated by President Mahama during his inaugural speech with the realities in Sierra Leone under President Bio’s leadership. In his address, Mahama declared, “I intend to tell you the truth at all times.”...