14-15 October 2017 – At the APC convention, Dr Samura Kamara is selected by Ernest Bai Koroma as the APC’s presidential candidate, and Mohamed Chernor Bah as running mate. 15 October 2017 – SLPP elect Brigadier (Ret.) Julius Maada Bio as the party’s 2018 Presidential Candidate 18 October 2017 – Registration of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) is completed 5 November 2017 - Francis Gabbidon Esq, publishes article entitled “Sierra Leoneans with dual citizenship cannot be mem

It has been a stellar couple of years for Anthony Navo Junior. His TV station’s ‘Sierra Leone Decides’ series has become compulsory pre-election viewing for Sierra Leoneans home and abroad. He pulled off a stunning media coup with the Presidential Candidates’ Debate on the 15th February. BBC Media Action has Africa Young Voices (AYV) radio down as the most listened to radio station in the North and West of Sierra Leone, and his media empire has won awards from AWOL and the

In February, Insight Media and Communication's MD, Memuna Forna was interviewed by AYV TV's Shakers of Salone team. Thanks to AYV's Ernest Henry and colleagues for the opportunity. #AYV #ShakersofSalone

Clear losers, but no clear winners A few images from yesterday’s Presidential Candidates’ Debate summed up for me, the significance of the event: David Fraser writing on Facebook: “I watched last night's debate in a church hall in South London attended by over 500 Sierra Leoneans.” Hussine Yilla describing Makeni last night, as a town brought to a standstill, with people crammed into Attaya Bases, or huddled around radios. Across Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, it was the so

With Elections Fast Approaching, There Are Clear Signs That Sierra Leone’s Political Discourse Is Growing Up March 7 2018 is D-day for Sierra Leone’s electorate. The country will go to the polls and vote for new representatives – MPs, mayors, councillors, district council chairs and of course, a president who will determine our future for the next five years. Sierra Leone has had over a decade and a half of peace, nevertheless when we hold elections, the rest of the world sti

D-day for Sierra Leone’s electorate is fast approaching and, while the campaign scene is still dominated by the usual mixed bag of Machiavellian smear tactics, party switching politicians, shifting allegiances and political rhetoric, there is an emerging quality of debate that homegrown observers say is unprecedented. Behind it all is the sense that Sierra Leoneans expect more from the electoral process, and these elections have been notable for the efforts of civil society o