Kasafoni Land Dispute…
PARLIAMENT MUST CHOOSE JUSTICE OVER COMPLICITY
This Monday at 2:00 PM, Sierra Leone’s Parliament is gearing up for a crucial moment, not just in terms of procedure, but in terms of principle. The Public Petitions Committee (PPC), led by Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas, will kick off discussions on a petition from landowners in Kasafoni, who claim their ancestral lands were wrongfully taken by the Sierra Leone Minerals and Mines Development Corporation (SLMMDC).
The stakes couldn’t be higher- not just for the people of Kasafoni, but for the very essence of Sierra Leone’s democracy.
This is not just any petition. It is a heartfelt plea for justice in a nation where rural communities have often been left out of decisions about the land they call home. The pressing question now is: Will Parliament stand by the people it professes to represent, or will it endorse what many see as a state-sanctioned land grab?
Section 21 of the 1991 Constitution clearly outlines what is required for compulsory land acquisition: public interest, due process, compensation, and legal recourse. In the case of the Black Johnson beach project, the government proudly claimed it followed these procedures. So why were they ignored in Kasafoni?
If Parliament allows this inconsistency to persist-where the law is upheld in one community but flouted in another, it won’t just let down the Kasafoni landowners. It will let down every citizen who believes that the Constitution should be applied fairly, no matter their wealth, location, or influence.
The Public Petitions Committee is more than just a bureaucratic entity. It is the constitutional tool through which Parliament addresses public grievances and holds those in power accountable. Its credibility hinges on its ability to act independently, transparently, and courageously-even when the accused is a government-supported corporation like SLMMDC.
Speaker Thomas’s promise that witnesses can be called if needed is a positive first step. However, it is crucial that these words translate into real action. The people of Kasafoni deserve to have their voices heard. It is essential that SLMMDC officials are held accountable. Moreover, we must ensure that this process remains free from political meddling or any attempts to undermine it. Lately, public confidence in Parliament has taken a hit. The APC’s decision to boycott certain parliamentary activities due to perceived bias from the Clerk has painted a troubling picture of dysfunction within the institution. If this petition is mishandled, it will only worsen that perception, both at home and abroad. This is Parliament’s opportunity to restore its reputation—not as a mere rubber stamp, but as a true champion of justice. The People Are Watching. Parliament Must Act.
On Monday, the Public Petitions Committee faces a critical choice. One path leads to justice, accountability, and a reaffirmation of citizens’ rights. The other path leads to complicity, betrayal, and a further decline in democratic oversight. This is not just a procedural step. This is Parliament’s defining moment.
May the voices of Kasafoni not echo in vain.