Umaru Fofana

Jul 2, 2024 | reuters.com | Umaru Fofana

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo FREETOWN, July 2 (Reuters) - Sierra Leone officially banned child marriage on Tuesday with President Julius Maada Bio signing into law a bill to end the practice that remains widespread.

Apr 26, 2024 | reuters.com | Umaru Fofana

FREETOWN, April 26 (Reuters) - Sierra Leone's Energy Minister Kanja Sesay resigned on Friday over a weeks-long electricity crisis, the same day the government announced it had paid some of the tens of millions of dollars it owed to energy providers. In his resignation letter on Friday, Sesay said he took full responsibility for the crisis. The office of the President Julius Maada Bio later announced that the energy ministry would fall under the direct supervision of the president.

Apr 5, 2024 | yahoo.com | Umaru Fofana

Sierra Leone's president has declared a national emergency over rampant drug abuse. Kush, a psychoactive blend of addictive substances, has been prevalent in the country for years. President Julius Maada Bio called the drug a "death trap" and said it posed an "existential crisis". One of the drug's many ingredients is human bones - security has been tightened in cemeteries to stop addicts digging up skeletons from graves.

Feb 6, 2024 | kentwired.com | Sarah Dean |David McKenzie |Umaru Fofana |Byron Blunt

Not everyone agrees with Turay’s methods or her message. “Let her come and sit with us and discuss what is the reality,” says Dorris Fambulleh, “But if she continues to go about to say whatever she likes, she will be disappointed.”  Fambulleh, Secretary General of the Southern Region Sowei Council, denies that FGM takes place during the initiation rituals.

Feb 5, 2024 | cnn.com | Sarah Dean |David McKenzie |Umaru Fofana |Byron Blunt

Kambia, Sierra Leone — The body of Salamatu Jalloh lies on a straw mat on the floor of a small, earth-colored room. After the 13-year-old died, police warned villagers not to bury her before a post-mortem could be carried out. But four days later, in the scorching heat, the corpse continues to lie here, tightly wrapped in a blue and pink cloth, a foot poking out at one end. “Open the windows,” says a police officer wearing a white surgical mask, as he enters the room. The smell is suffocating.