Author: gleanernewspaper

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Agnes Bio The high-profile Dutch cocaine trafficker accused of orchestrating large-scale shipments into Europe has reportedly sought refuge in Sierra Leone after fathering a child with President Julius Maada Bio’s daughter, according to opposition figures. Jos Leijdekkers, 34, also known as “Chubby Jos,” is said to have spent more than two years in the West African country while being sought by authorities throughout Europe.  Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, the opposition leader, has publicly stated that the president’s daughter, Agnes Bio, gave birth to Leijdekkers’ child in New York. Mansaray claims that the Bio administration has sheltered the fugitive and obstructed efforts…

Sierra Leone has formally become a member of the International Energy Forum (IEF), an intergovernmental body that fosters dialogue among governments, industry and other stakeholders in the global energy sector. The decision aligns with Freetown’s broader strategy to accelerate development of its energy industry by deepening ties with international partners and accessing technical and policy expertise. The timing of Sierra Leone’s accession coincides with several major domestic initiatives. Authorities are moving forward with plans for a national oil refinery, preparing for the country’s first offshore drilling campaign since 2012, and preparing to launch a new licensing round scheduled for October…

Following the symbolic opening of the 76th UNHCR Executive Committee plenary, Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina, Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador Dr Lansana Gberie and the staff of Sierra Leone’s Permanent Mission in Geneva. The visit took place at the Palais des Nations, which is currently hosting the ExCom 2025 session. During their meeting, the two leaders had substantive discussions about Sierra Leone’s legislative and legal instruments that provide services to displaced citizens, refugees, and stateless individuals. They examined national policies and programmes that promote protection, reintegration, and social inclusion, as…

Sierra Leone has launched a pioneering national Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness Assessment, developed by the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation in collaboration with the World Bank under the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project. The exercise, which was presented to a diverse group of stakeholders in Freetown, including government officials, academics, civil society, and private sector representatives, is one of the world’s first national-level assessments of its kind. The assessment assesses the country’s preparedness in three areas: compute (infrastructure), capacity (skills and talent), and context (policy and regulations). Its goal is to identify current strengths, gaps, and concrete opportunities that…

Air Sierra Leone has selected Moment, a specialist provider of digital onboard solutions for the aviation sector, to deploy a Wireless In-Flight Entertainment (W-IFE) platform across its fleet, the two companies announced today. The agreement marks Moment’s second contract on the African continent this semester, following a recent agreement with another regional carrier. It is a significant step in Air Sierra Leone’s strategy to modernise its passenger experience as it expands routes and capacity. Air Sierra Leone was founded in late 2024, with its headquarters at Freetown International Airport. The airline began commercial operations in January 2025, flying a regional…

Honourable Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria, met with His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda, Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, and his delegation at the Supreme Court Building in Abuja’s Three Arms Zone, to discuss institutional exchange and mutual learning. Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun welcomed the Sierra Leonean delegation and described the visit as an honour and an important opportunity for knowledge sharing, recalling that she first met Justice Kamanda in Banjul, The Gambia, during the recently concluded 20th Triennial Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association conference. “You are very welcome. I am confident that your visit will be fruitful…

Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has lauded teachers as the backbone of nation-building and reiterated the government’s long-term commitment to strengthening the country’s education sector. Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Presidential National Best Teacher Awards at the University of Makeni on Saturday, October 4, Dr Jalloh described educators as central to shaping Sierra Leone’s future through their daily dedication to learners. “Every Sierra Leonean, no matter their humble beginnings, can trace their journey back to a teacher,” he said. “Doctors, engineers, farmers, security personnel, business people, and leaders — we were all shaped by teachers.…

Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, used the inaugural Civic Day Series in the United States to encourage Sierra Leoneans living abroad to deepen their involvement and transition from passive supporters to active problem solvers and partners in the country’s development. Dr Sengeh spoke at the opening session, highlighting the country’s progress in key sectors and emphasising the importance of the diaspora’s expertise, networks, and resources in addressing Sierra Leone’s development challenges.  The Chief Minister expressed gratitude for Sierra Leoneans’ long-standing contributions overseas, particularly in health, education, and agriculture, and…

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio used his address to the United Nations as part of the UN80 commemorations to call for a fundamental reimagining of multilateralism so that “peace, dignity, and equality are not promises on paper, but realities in people’s lives.” He emphasised that no country can confront today’s global crises alone, citing his country’s participation in both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and on the international stage as examples of how collective action can produce results. Recalling Sierra Leone’s own post-conflict journey, President Bio cited the United Nations’ role in his country’s recovery, as…