News

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The United Nations special representative in West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas has urged political parties to take responsibility in discussing the way forward to consolidate peace in Sierra Leone.

“Government and actors on all levels, including political parties have a shared responsibility in ensuring that multiple grievances are addressed in a proper manner and that conflicts are resolved peacefully,” Chambas said on the opening ceremony of the national conference on peace.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

Ahead of the three-day peace and cohesion conference which starts today, a high level UN and ECOWAS delegation arrived yesterday on a private jet. 

The head of the UN West Africa office, Dr. Mohamed  Ibn Chambas and two senior officers from ECOWAS, Aderemi Ajibewa (Director Political Affairs) and Ebenezer Asiedu (Head of Mediation) are here to add impetus to a conference already characterized by opposition boycotts. 

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested the Vice Principal of Rokel Secondary School, John Ibrahim Gbla, over allegations of examination malpractice. Gbla who also doubles as the head of WAEC exams at the school was arrested alongside Abu Bakar Mansaray, a Mathematics teacher at the school.

A spokesman for the ACC told Politico that the suspects were arrested after a report made by students.

By Prince Musa in Kenema

The Manager of Rainbow Center in Kenema, Safiatu Jajah Jalloh, has warned of a rise in cases of sexual violence which she said is also fueling teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Jalloh said the district has recorded 186 rape cases since January this year.

“Sexual penetration is on the increase. Most of the cases are causing other problems like teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea,” she told Politico.

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The father of two children allegedly tortured over allegations of witchcraft is seeking justice for them.

Mohamed Kamara says his brother-in-law, Sylvester Sesay, subjected his children, Desmond Kamara, 9, and Rita Kamara, 7, to flogging, starvation and molestation for a period of three months on the pretext of ridding them of the devil. He said Sylvester accused the children of blocking his destiny through witchcraft.

By Allieu Sahid Tunkara

The Deputy speaker of parliament has defended parliament’s decision to refer the controversial Technical Audit Report to the Anti-corruption Commission for expert opinion.

Solomon Sengepoh Thomas, MP, cited constitutional provisions which he said conferred powers on Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to conduct investigations into documents submitted to it by the Audit Service Sierra Leone. However, the same law, he noted, did not limit the PAC in their mode of investigation.

By Allieu Sahid Tunkara

The spate of exams malpractice has taken a more sinister turn at the ongoing school-leaving West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Such is how brazen the exams cheats have become that they are prepared to be violent and even confrontational with the security forces.