News

Former Liberian footballer, George Weah, has declared to run for the Presidency of his country in 2017. The former World Player of the Year made the announcement last Thursday in front of thousands of his party supporters in Monrovia.

This is Weah’s second strike at the Presidency. In 2005, he formed his Congress for Democratic Change party and contested the election against the current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005. After losing he contested in 2011 as the running mate of Winston Tubman but again lost after a runoff election.

Congolese music legend, Papa Wemba, has died. Papa Wemba was performing last week Sunday with his band, at the 9^th edition of the Urban Music Festival concert in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, when he collapsed on stage.

The artist was reported to be ill in the early hours of Saturday but he was believed to be well enough for Sunday evening’s performance. There have been no reports yet as to what caused his death but there have been speculations going on that the artist might have been poisoned through the microphone.

By Mohamed T Massaquoi

A land lease agreement involving the agribusiness firm Natural Habitat has caused serious rift among leaders in the Pujehun District, south of the country.

The Member of Parliament representing Constituency 091, Sidie Tunis, was at loggerheads with the District Council Chairman, Sadiq Silla, over the agreement which the lawmaker said he was vehemently opposed to.

By Kemo Cham

Four presidential aspirants in the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) have thrown their weight behind Alpha Timbo who last week formally announced his candidacy for the flag bearer ticket.

The SLPP is due to go for its much anticipated convention which is slated for an unknown date.

Alie Kabba, Francis Lahai, Munda Rogers and John Oponjo Benjamin joined Mr Timbo in Makeni last Saturday, April 30, where he announced his intention to run for the party’s ticket to contest the presidency in elections slated for 2018.

By Septimus Senessie in Kono

Alocal civil society organisation operating in the eastern region, Dignity Now, has awarded Le180 million grant to 30 youth and women’s organisations in the region that promote democracy and the rule of law.

The beneficiary groups are based in the three districts of Kailahun, Kenema and Kono which make up the region.

By Mustapha Sesay 

As the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day on May 3^rd, members of the Sierra Leone Association Journalists (SLAJ) have again called on government “not to pay lip service” but to go further and “demonstrate true commitment to press freedom” in the country.

Politico reporter in Kono District, Septimus Senessie, has reported a death threat allegedly issued by supporters of the Acting Mayor of Koidu, Aiah Bartholomew Boima Komba.

Senessie, who was recently attacked by men known to be loyal to the mayor, said they accused him of reporting negatively on his office and the Council.

The reporter also accused the local police chief of Tankoro Division, Chief Superintendent David Sahid Koroma, of making similar threats on allegation of bias reporting.