By Sallieu S. Kanu
Sierra Leone – August 25, 2025: A recent visit by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, to the mineral-rich chiefdoms of Kasafoni has ignited controversy over land lease agreements and the role of security forces during government engagements.
The visit, intended to solidify mining arrangements, has instead intensified community discontent and raised questions about transparency, consultation, and the rights of land-owning families.
Kasafoni, located across three chiefdoms in Sierra Leone’s northern region, is home to some of the country’s largest mining operations. The area has long been a focal point for foreign investment due to its rich mineral deposits. However, land ownership in Kasafoni remains a sensitive issue, with local communities asserting ancestral rights and demanding equitable participation in resource management. Recently, Gento Group of Companies, signed a lease agreements and paid surface rent directly to land-owning families of the said land.
Honorable Jawah Sesay, who represents two of the affected chiefdoms, held a press conference shortly after the minister’s visit, voicing strong opposition to the manner in which the government lease agreements were presented. He criticized the government for bypassing local consultation and accused the finance minister of intimidating residents by arriving with a heavy military escort.
“I was shocked to see such a huge military presence,” Hon. Sesay stated. “It scared and intimidated the community. Instead of engaging with the people, the finance minister simply read out the lease agreements.”
Sesay also said the Gento Group of Companies has signed a lease agreement and paid surface rent directly to land-owning families. He called on the government to clarity status of Gento’s lease agreements with the communities.
The MP’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among chiefs and residents who feel excluded from decisions affecting their land. Sesay emphasized that while the government has authority over national resources, communities also have rights that must be respected.
“We understand that the government has rights over certain resources, but so do we—the land belongs to us,” he said.
In response to criticism, Minister Bangura defended the presence of military and police personnel, stating that they were deployed solely for his protection.
“I assure you there was no coercion involved in my visit,” he said. “The security forces were there to safeguard me, not to threaten the local populace.”
Despite this reassurance, critics argue that the minister’s explanation fails to address the lack of community engagement and the opaque nature of the lease agreements.
Following the visit, local leaders are calling for an emergency assembly to discuss the implications of the lease agreements and the future of land governance in Kasafoni.
Hon. Sesay urged unity among the chiefdoms and stressed the need for inclusive decision-making.
“We need to come together as a people to protect our land and ensure that any agreements made do not happen without our consent,” he said. “Our future is at stake here.”
In the coming weeks, the situation surrounding the Kasafoni land dispute will undoubtedly continue to evolve. With pressures mounting from both sides, it is imperative for the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the affected communities, ensuring that the principles of equality and community rights are upheld. As the relationship between the finance minister and the local leadership grows increasingly strained, the question remains whether a path forward can be established that satisfies both the government’s economic ambitions and the local population’s rights.