SierraNews-sl

In response to recent claims by journalist Amadu Lamrana Bah regarding alleged disagreements among government officials over credit for the recently signed US$480 million MCC Compact, Minister of Information and Communications, Chernor Bah, has firmly emphasized the unity within the government. Addressing the journalist’s post, Chernor Bah, known as CeeBah, remarked, “Na so ‘serious disagreement’ don look now? My brother, once again you seem to be interested in generating controversy where none exists.” His statement was a direct challenge to the narrative of internal discord, reaffirming that the government remains a united front in its accomplishments. CeeBah reiterated that President Julius Maada Bio has been clear in acknowledging the collective efforts of his team during a reception in Washington, DC. He highlighted the President's remark, “My team is thanking me, but they did the work,” as evidence of the government’s collaborative approach. According to the Minister, the con...

On a significant diplomatic occasion, His Excellency Ambassador Mahamat Paba Salé, the Dean of African Ambassadors and Ambassador of Cameroon, visited the Sierra Leone Embassy in Moscow. He was warmly received by His Excellency Mohamed Yongawo, Sierra Leone's Ambassador to Russia. During the visit, Ambassador Yongawo expressed his deep appreciation for Ambassador Salé’s leadership and the continued efforts to promote cooperation among African nations in Russia. He further elaborated on Sierra Leone’s national priorities, emphasizing President Julius Maada Bio's Five Big Game Changers. These include a strong focus on Food Security, Information Technology, Civil Service Reform, and Human Capital Development, particularly through Education. The conversation also touched on the **Common African Agenda**, with both ambassadors reaffirming their commitment to advocating for reforms at the United Nations Security Council and promoting global peace, a key focus for Sierra Leone during ...

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 ...