Author: gleanernewspaper

Nelson Mandela addresses the crowd from the balcony of City Hall in Cape Town, South Africa, on February 11, 1990. To his right is Walter Sisulu, his comrade-in-arms who had been released a few months earlier, and to his left is Cyril Ramaphosa, general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and now President of South Africa (since 2018). © Peter Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty  On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela, the most famous and oldest political prisoner in the world, took his first steps as a free man. Millions of people around the world who witnessed the event live…

Mohamed Orman Bangura Mohamed Orman Bangura, the Bio-led administration’s Minister of Youth Affairs, has been accused of being the primary instigator of violence in the ongoing lower-level elections for the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). Reports from various regions, particularly his hometown of Magburka in the Tonkolili District, paint a troubling picture of his actions during the election. Witnesses have reported that Bangura has been seen moving through the area with a large group of party supporters, also known as “thugs.”These individuals were allegedly armed with a variety of offensive weapons, including cutlasses and piercing objects, resulting in an…

A delegation from Sierra Leone, including representatives from the police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other government officials, has been in Conakry since February 1, 2025, to further investigate a troubling incident involving a diplomatic vehicle linked to the Sierra Leonean Embassy. The car was seized in Guinea earlier this month and is suspected of transporting suitcases filled with cocaine, a situation that has caused significant embarrassment for the Sierra Leonean government and has strained diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries. The incident, which first came to light in mid-January, has prompted urgent action from Sierra Leonean authorities,…

In a concerted effort to address the pressing environmental challenges facing the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS), a collaborative initiative involving the Ministry of Tourism, the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), local councilors, headmen from the Regent and Barthurst Communities, the media, and other stakeholders took place on February 5th and 6th, 2025. This joint patrol aimed to assess and reclaim areas designated by the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning for tourism development. The gathering, which took place at the Tacugama Car Park, included prominent figures such as the Executive Director of TCS, Mr. Bala…

Madam Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh and His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio officiated the oath-taking ceremony for Madam Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh, who has been appointed as the new Deputy Minister of Justice. During the ceremony, Madam Saccoh took the oath of office, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to President Bio for the confidence he has placed in her. She emphasized her commitment to fulfilling her duties diligently and effectively, vowing to contribute positively to the Ministry of Justice’s objectives. “I will work closely with my immediate boss, the Minister of Justice, to ensure we effectively deliver…

In a heartfelt farewell ceremony held at the Sierra Leone Chancery Hall on February 7, 2025, the staff of the Embassy of Sierra Leone, members of the Sierra Leone community in the United States, and various faith organizations gathered to honor Minister Counselor Rakie Macarthy as she concluded her diplomatic mission in Washington, D.C. The event was marked by expressions of gratitude and reflections on her exemplary service and significant contributions to the Sierra Leonean diaspora. Mr. Victor Sheriff, the Minister Counselor at the Embassy, was among the first to speak, emphasizing the remarkable achievements of Ms. Macarthy during her…

His Excellency Alhaji Momodu Koroma and the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas His Excellency Alhaji Momodu Koroma, the Sierra Leone Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, provided an insightful update to the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, regarding the robust bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Morocco. This meeting took place during a courtesy visit by the Speaker and his delegation to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Rabat, coinciding with their participation in a four-day high-level meeting of Speakers of Parliament from Atlantic African States. The delegation arrived in Morocco on Wednesday,…

Six newly appointed ambassadors presented their letters of credence to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, marking the official start of their missions in Sierra Leone. The ceremony took place at the State House, highlighting the importance of international relations for the nation. The distinguished diplomats included H.E. Mr. Yusuf Burak Rende, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye; H.E. Dr. Senator Kwabla Yawlui, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Mr. Baisnab Charan Pradhan, the Ambassador of the Republic of India; H.E. Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Pankyu Kim, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea; H.E. Mr. Hiroshi…

Her Excellency Rasata Rafaravavitafika, Madagascar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy and President Dr. Julius Maada Bio In a diplomatic engagement, Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed Her Excellency Rasata Rafaravavitafika, Madagascar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy to President Andry Rajoelina. The Special Envoy and her delegation were greeted at the Freetown International Airport and delivered a special message from President Rajoelina to President Bio. Rasata Rafaravavitafika expressed her delight in meeting President Bio and shared the Madagascar government and people’s warm feelings towards Sierra Leone. In response, President Bio expressed heartfelt gratitude for the…

First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio has taken a bold step towards improving Sierra Leonean children’s educational access and health by providing free sanitary pads and shoes to students across the country. This initiative reflects her strong desire to address the barriers that prevent girls from attending school, particularly during their menstrual cycles, and emphasises the importance of gender equality in education. The distribution of sanitary pads is an important step towards eradicating the stigma and difficulties that many young girls face during their periods, which frequently result in school absences. Dr. Bio’s provision of these essential products allows girls…