Chief Minister Fails…
KASAFONI ON A TIME BOMB!
By Ibrahim Alusine Kamara (Kamalo)
A dangerous crisis is steadily brewing in Tonkolili North over the control and ownership of the iron ore-rich Kasafoni concession, with fears mounting that government inaction could spark social unrest and serious human rights violations.
It is now more than a month since Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh informed Parliament that the executive branch intended to resolve the dispute through dialogue involving the Gento Group, the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Mining Corporation (SLMMDMC), local chiefs, and landowners. At that time, Parliament was asked to pause hearings on a petition submitted by landowners until the executive-led process could run its course.
But weeks later, little to no progress has been made. Communities say they feel betrayed, neglected, and left in limbo- their rights to land and livelihood hanging in the balance.
At the heart of the dispute lies a bitter contest. The SLMMDMC, a state-created entity established under Constitutional Instrument No. 11, is asserting ownership and control of the Kasafoni concession. Meanwhile, the Gento Group of Companies, a wholly Sierra Leonean-owned business, insists it holds a legitimate lease agreement signed directly with local landowners and authorities- an agreement that by law should be binding and respected.
The landowners, backed by chiefs and community leaders, argue that the SLMMDMC has trampled on their rights by sidelining them and attempting to seize control of their ancestral lands without consultation or compensation. They submitted a petition to Parliament demanding that their lease with Gento Group be recognized and upheld.
While the Chief Minister’s office initially signaled a willingness to mediate, locals say the dialogue process has effectively stalled, leaving them in the dark. Reports from Kasafoni suggest that the SLMMDMC is now attempting to pressure or induce certain community members into signing a fresh lease agreement- a move many describe as coercive and divisive.
Community leaders warn that such maneuvers are not only illegal but also dangerous, threatening to fracture the social fabric of the region and escalate tensions into open conflict.
Observers say the government’s failure to act swiftly undermines the constitutional rights of citizens to property, participation, and protection. “What we are seeing is a blatant disregard for the principle of free, prior, and informed consent – a cornerstone of human rights in land and resource governance,” one civil society activist noted.
The implications go beyond Kasafoni. If unresolved, the dispute risks setting a precedent where communities lose control of their lands to state-backed corporations without due process. This, analysts warn, could erode public trust in government, inflame rural grievances, and undermine Sierra Leone’s fragile social stability.
As frustration deepens, pressure is mounting on the Chief Minister to step up and deliver on his promise of dialogue and fair resolution. Critics argue that the executive’s silence and lack of urgency are worsening tensions, leaving vulnerable communities exposed to manipulation and intimidation.
Kasafoni, many now say, has become a time bomb, one that could explode if the government continues to ignore the voices of its own citizens.