SierraNews-sl

Orange Sierra Leone, a key player in the country’s telecommunications sector, has achieved a major milestone by successfully launching 4G technology across all districts in Sierra Leone. This development marks a significant leap forward in improving connectivity and internet speed for users nationwide. During the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Annual General Meeting, Abdul Ben-Foday, Director of Corporate and Industry Affairs at the National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA), announced the achievement, further highlighting Orange’s leading market position with a 47% share of the mobile data market. This impressive figure puts Orange Sierra Leone ahead of Africell, which holds 34%, and Qcell, with 19%. The nationwide rollout of 4G technology by Orange Sierra Leone brings a wide range of benefits to users, including faster data transmission, improved internet speed, and better streaming and download capabilities. These advancements promise to significantly enhance the ...

On September 26th, 2024, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan handed a significant document to Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio during their meeting in New York. This marked the third consecutive engagement between the ICC Prosecutor and the President, fueling speculation and raising important legal and diplomatic questions regarding the Court’s sustained interest in Sierra Leone and its leader. This unusual frequency of interactions prompts crucial inquiries about the ICC's interest in Sierra Leone. The country has not been involved in any major international conflict in recent years, making this renewed focus from the ICC both perplexing and noteworthy. The timing of these meetings, particularly given the peaceful post-civil war status of Sierra Leone, draws attention to the potential reasons behind such heightened attention. Historically, Sierra Leone’s relationship with international justice mechanisms has been significant, especially with the estab...

Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) has officially announced that online applications for the 2024/2025 academic year are now open. Prospective students can apply for a wide range of programs, including degrees and certifications, with flexible learning options available to accommodate both normal and distance learning for select courses.  The university offers various academic pathways, including diploma and certificate programs, designed to meet the diverse needs of students across the country. Available Programs: - Degree Programs - Higher Teachers Certificate (Secondary) – Normal and Distance - Higher Teachers Certificate (Primary) – Normal and Distance - Higher National Diploma - National Diploma - Teachers Certificate – Normal and Distance - Technician Certificate - Vocational Certificate To apply, interested applicants should visit the university’s website at [ www.mmtu.edu.sl ]( http://www.mmtu.edu.sl ). The application process requires a fee of Le 500.00, payable at ...

President Julius Maada Bio has issued a powerful call for urgent reforms to the United Nations Security Council, championing Africa’s rightful place in global peace and security governance. As the Coordinator of the African Union’s Committee of Ten (C-10) on Security Council Reform, President Bio emphasized the need for Africa to be granted two permanent seats with veto power, alongside two additional non-permanent seats. In his passionate plea, President Bio highlighted the current structure of the Security Council as outdated and unjust, particularly regarding Africa's representation. “The Security Council has been stuck in time. Its imbalanced composition is unjust and at odds with current realities, undermining its legitimacy and effectiveness,” he declared. He argued that the absence of permanent African representation is a historical injustice that weakens the Council’s ability to address global crises equitably. President Bio urged the global community to act collectively in...

The United States Congress has reportedly approved a $480 million compact grant through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to support Sierra Leone's development. This significant milestone comes after the MCC Board of Directors reselected Sierra Leone for compact development in December 2023, subject to meeting certain conditions related to the country’s 2023 general elections. The compact is expected to be formally signed on Friday between the MCC and the Government of Sierra Leone. U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Chris Coons have emphasized that, despite the progress made by Sierra Leone, the nation must continue to meet eligibility criteria outlined by the US. In a joint statement, they noted, “After the flawed elections in June, Sierra Leone’s government and the primary opposition party have made significant commitments that are essential but initial steps in a much longer process to restore confidence in Sierra Leone for a potential future compact agreement.” A key factor ...

President Julius Maada Bio recently held a highly productive meeting with world-renowned economist and sustainable development advocate, Jeffrey D. Sachs. The discussions focused on Sierra Leone’s progress in expanding access to education and explored opportunities to strengthen this momentum through international collaborations. President Bio expressed optimism about the potential impact of this partnership, emphasizing the mutual acknowledgment of Sierra Leone’s achievements in education. "We recognized the great progress Sierra Leone has made in increasing access to education," President Bio noted, underscoring Sachs' commitment to assisting the country in fostering global relationships and partnerships with multilateral institutions. “This is a solid gain for Sierra Leone, and we look forward to deepening this relationship,” President Bio remarked, signaling the significance of this collaboration for the country’s development agenda. Sachs, known for his bold and effe...

A Sierra Leone Police officer is facing widespread criticism after allegedly attempting to plant illegal drugs in a shop on Free Street, Central Freetown. The incident, which occurred on Friday, September 20, has ignited public outrage following the release of a viral video that captured the encounter. In the video, the officer is seen requesting to search a shop. However, the shop owner, suspicious of the officer’s intentions, insisted that the officer search himself before inspecting the premises. In a surprising turn of events, the video allegedly shows the officer removing packets of tramadol from his own pocket. The narrator, a male voice, claims that the officer intended to plant the drugs in the shop to falsely incriminate the owner. Tramadol, a controlled substance in Sierra Leone, is known for its widespread abuse and illegal trafficking. If the allegations are verified, this incident represents a serious breach of trust by a law enforcement officer. The unidentified shop owne...