Author: gleanernewspaper

(From L-R) Dutch cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, David van Weel, Netherlands Minister of Justice and Security, Alpha Sesay, Sierra Leone Attorney General & Minister of Justice, Morie Lengor Esq. Sierra Leone Minister of Internal Affairs, Timothy Musa Kabba, Sierra Leone Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.  Dutch efforts to secure the extradition of Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch national described in Dutch reports as one of Europe’s most wanted convicted drug traffickers, have met with persistent resistance from Sierra Leonean authorities, resulting in a series of awkward exchanges and growing Dutch frustration. According to Dutch accounts of the interactions, a video call in March between Sierra Leone’s Attorney General…

Mr Shadi Gerjawi, CEO of Africell Sierra Leone, officially commissioned the newly renovated Bo Clock Tower in a ceremony held in Bo earlier today, highlighting the company’s ongoing investment in community development and the preservation of cultural landmarks. The event drew local officials, community stakeholders, and a large crowd of residents to witness the unveiling of the restored city icon.The Bo Clock Tower, long regarded as a symbol of Bo’s identity and history, underwent extensive renovations to preserve and extend its legacy for future generations. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Gerjawi stated that the project reflected Africell’s broader vision of…

Chernor Bah, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, presented a firm and proactive vision for combating misinformation at the start of the 2026 International Strategic Communication Summit (Stratcom Summit) in Istanbul. Speaking to an audience of global leaders, diplomats, and communication experts, Minister Bah emphasised that false narratives pose a global threat capable of eroding public trust and undermining the social contract between governments and their citizens.Minister Bah’s remarks, broadcast by TRT, AfroTurk TV, and CGTN, left little doubt about Sierra Leone’s position on disinformation. He outlined a multifaceted national strategy centred on transparency, media literacy, and citizen…

Young leaders from across Africa gathered this week in Addis Ababa for the Sixth Session of the African Youth Leadership Diplomatic Conference, a high-profile event held in the African Union’s headquarters city. The conference, themed “From Policy to Action: Accelerating African-Led Solutions for Regional Peace and Stability,” aimed to position youth as active architects of practical solutions to the continent’s most pressing challenges.The week-long event brought together a diverse group of participants, including emerging youth changemakers, seasoned diplomats, government officials, regional leaders, representatives from international organisations, and development experts. This widespread participation reaffirmed the conference’s emphasis on intergenerational collaboration and…

His Excellency Philip Bob Jusu, the ambassador of Sierra Leone to Belgium, met with Thomas Geyns, the mayor of Tervuren, in Brussels to talk about establishing useful connections between the local community and Sierra Leone. The discussion centred on specific areas of collaboration that could be advantageous to both the Belgian municipality and the West African country.Sierra Leone’s geographic location in West Africa was described by Ambassador Jusu, who pointed out that the nation borders Guinea and Liberia and can give investors access to a larger regional market of almost 30 million people. He emphasised the importance of agriculture to…

Ibrahim Sannoh, Minister of Youth Affairs, welcomed Dr Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs and Head of the UN Youth Office, to the Ministry’s Scan Drive office in Freetown on Tuesday. Dr Paullier, accompanied by UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana, paid his first official visit to Sierra Leone, which both sides described as an important step toward deepening cooperation on youth development and policy reform.In a brief but symbolic ceremony, Minister Sannoh presented Dr Paullier with a Plaque of Welcome and a national sash in Sierra Leone’s green, white, and blue colours, recognising the UN’s partnership and the…

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), led by Minister Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, and representatives from the Indian High Commission visited traditional authorities in Kono District and conducted a thorough inspection of the Kono University of Science and Technology (KUST) project. The delegation, consisting of engineers, project officials, and university leadership, met with local chiefs and reviewed preparatory works to speed up the development process.Dr Wurie described KUST as a top national priority, noting that her ministry has increased efforts to expedite the project since she took office in August 2023. She told chiefs and other stakeholders that…

(L-R)  Haj Fawaz, Mohamed Fawaz, Alie Fawaz, and Hussien Fawaz According to a February 2026 report by the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), the prominent Fawaz family is a key node in Hezbollah’s global financing ecosystem, demonstrating how the organisation uses extended family networks in the diaspora to move money, maintain ties, and project influence. The study, titled “Hezbollah’s Financing Ecosystem – Hezbollah’s Use of Clan Networks in the Diaspora: The Fawaz Clan Case Study,” combines open-source data and U.S. Treasury designations to trace the clan’s origins in South Lebanon, its expansion across West Africa, and the ties that the report claims…

At the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Sierra Leone advocated for immediate de-escalation, protection of civilians, and strengthened safeguards for schools and children affected by armed conflict. The first debate, held on March 25, 2026, at the request of Bahrain on behalf of the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and Jordan, looked into the consequences of military operations launched against several Gulf States on February 28, 2026. His Excellency Samuel U.B. Saffa Esq., Sierra Leone’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, delivered the country’s statement,…

The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) recently met to discuss the Rural Finance Project – Phase II, which is a collaborative effort to increase financial access for women in Sierra Leone’s rural communities. Officials discussed plans to expand community banks that provide loans to women for small businesses, education for their children, and better housing. Complementary measures under consideration include expanded financial literacy programs and assistance with farming mechanisation to increase productivity and improve borrowers’ credit management abilities. To ensure inclusive participation in rural economic development, a strong emphasis was placed…