On January 25, 2026, the CSO Consortium on Service Delivery has issued a press statement expressing deep concern over persistent governance challenges affecting the smooth functioning of the Freetown City Council (FCC) since 2018.

The Consortium said it has closely followed the recurring disputes between the political leadership comprising the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and some councillors and the administrative leadership, including the Chief Administrator and Council staff. These tensions, which have spanned multiple years under the leadership of Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, continue to raise serious questions about the governance culture within the Municipality and have significantly undermined public confidence in the institution.

According to the Consortium, the unresolved disputes have weakened institutional cohesion and had a direct negative impact on service delivery across Freetown. It said residents deserve a Council that functions cohesively, respects institutional boundaries, and prioritises public welfare above political or administrative disagreements.

The group cited findings from the Administrative Inquiry into the Activities of the Freetown City Council (2018–2023), whose Executive Summary states that the FCC is largely dysfunctional because of deep-seated mistrust and division between Council staff and political heads, as well as among councillors themselves. The report also points to the Mayor’s Delivery Unit (MDU) as a parallel administrative structure that has exacerbated tensions and weakened financial management systems, resulting in ineffective service delivery and, in some instances, financial loss to the Council.

The Consortium expressed particular concern about the creation and operation of the MDU, which it said appears to report directly to the Mayor and has contributed to the breakdown in trust between political and administrative arms of the Council. It called on the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs to urgently review the MDU to restore administrative order and ensure all structures operate strictly within the law.

Beyond governance concerns, the Consortium said it is alarmed by the deteriorating state of municipal infrastructure, including schools, markets, public toilets, dumpsites, and waste management systems. It noted that while FCC has made efforts in environmental management and community engagement, these have not been sufficient to offset the growing decline in core public services.

The Consortium urged the Council to scale down investment in large-scale tree-planting initiatives and redirect resources toward critical infrastructure and essential service delivery, including clean markets, functioning public toilets, safe municipal schools, effective waste management, and improved sanitation.

The group also raised concerns over the recent transfer of the Finance Officer from FCC to Kailahun District Council by the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC). While acknowledging the Mayor’s concerns, the Consortium said institutions must operate within the law. It added that the refusal of the officer to honour the transfer has heightened tensions and contributed to a near paralysis of service delivery.

It further expressed concern about the reported appointment of a “Chief Councillor,” who has acted as Mayor in the absence of both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The Consortium said this practice does not align with any legal provision under the Local Government Act of 2022.

The Consortium believes the core issues at FCC are leadership-related and warned that transferring administrators alone will not resolve the crisis, unless leadership practices change.

“As civil society, we remain committed to promoting peaceful engagement, democratic governance, and constructive dialogue,” the statement said, adding that the Consortium stands ready to support mediation, governance reforms, and community engagement initiatives aimed at improving unity, transparency, and service delivery.

“The people of Freetown deserve nothing less,” the Consortium concluded.

 

PRESS STATEMENT

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CSO CONSORTIUM ON SERVICE DELIVERY

25 January 2026

The CSO Consortium on Service Delivery issues this statement out of deep concern for the persistent governance challenges that have affected the smooth functioning of the Freetown City Council (FCC) since 2018. As civil society organizations committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery, we have closely followed the recurring disputes between the political leadership, comprising the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and some councillors, and, on the other hand, the administrative leadership, including the Chief Administrator and staff of the Council. These tensions, which have spanned multiple years under the leadership of Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, continue to raise serious questions about the governance culture within the Municipality and have significantly undermined public confidence in the institution.

The Consortium notes that these unresolved disputes have not only weakened institutional cohesion but have also had a direct and negative impact on service delivery across Freetown. We believe the people of this city deserve a Council that functions cohesively, respects institutional boundaries, and prioritizes the welfare of residents above political or administrative disagreements. Effective local governance requires unity of purpose, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the public good—values that appear to have been eroded over the years.

Our concerns are further reinforced by the findings of the Administrative Inquiry into the Activities of the Freetown City Council (2018–2023), a report that has been widely circulated and discussed in the public domain. The Executive Summary of that report states:

―The Report draws attention to the fact that the FCC is largely dysfunctional because of deepseated mistrust and division between Council staff and the political heads (Mayor and Councillors) on the one hand, and among Councillors including the Mayor on the other. The establishment of the Mayor’s Delivery Unit (MDU), which appears to be a parallel administrative structure, continues to further exacerbate the rift at the FCC. In compendium, the FCC is bereft of an effective functional management structure and sound financial management system as well. As a result, this has affected its ability to provide effective service delivery to the residents of the Freetown Municipality and has occasioned financial loss to Council in some instances.‖

This summary paints a troubling picture of institutional fragmentation and highlights the urgent need for reforms that promote unity, lawful conduct, and effective governance. The Consortium is particularly concerned about the creation and operation of the *Mayor’s Delivery Unit (MDU)*, which has been widely perceived as a parallel administrative structure reporting directly to the Mayor. This arrangement appears to have contributed significantly to the breakdown in trust and cooperation between the political and administrative arms of the Council. We therefore call on the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs to urgently undertake a thorough review of the MDU with the aim of restoring administrative sanity and ensuring that all structures within the Council operate strictly within the framework of the law.

Beyond governance concerns, the Consortium remains alarmed by the deteriorating state of municipal infrastructure across Freetown. Over the years, municipal schools, markets, public toilets, dumpsites, and waste management systems have fallen into severe disrepair. Many of these facilities are now in a dilapidated state, posing health risks and undermining the dignity and well-being of residents. While the Consortium recognises that the Freetown City Council has made notable efforts in delivering certain basic services, particularly in environmental management and community engagement, these efforts have not been sufficient to offset the growing decline in core municipal infrastructure and essential public services. The scale of deterioration far outweighs the gains made in other sectors.

In light of these realities, the Consortium urges the FCC to scale down its investment in large-scale tree planting initiatives and refocus its resources on critical municipal infrastructure and essential service delivery interventions. Environmental protection is important, but the immediate needs of Freetonians including clean markets, functioning public toilets, safe municipal schools, effective waste management, and improved sanitation, must take precedence at this time of need.

The Consortium has also followed with keen interest the recent transfer of the Finance Officer from FCC to the Kailahun District Council, a decision made by the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC). The Local Government Act 2022 clearly mandates the LGSC as the authority responsible for staff transfers within local councils. We note the concerns raised by Her Worship the Mayor of Freetown regarding this transfer; however, institutions are bound to operate within the provisions of the laws that created them. The refusal of the Finance Officer to honour the lawful transfer instructions has further heightened tensions within the Council and contributed to a near paralysis of service delivery. This situation is untenable and threatens the stability of the Municipality. We therefore call on the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, the Local Government Service Commission and the Office of the Vice President of Sierra Leone, and the Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government and Decentralization to intervene swiftly and decisively to restore order and ensure compliance with the law.

We are equally concerned about the reported appointment of a ―Chief Councillor,‖ who has on several occasions acted as Mayor in the absence of both the Mayor and the

Deputy Mayor, including performing fiduciary functions. This practice does not align with any legal provision under the Local Government Act of 2022 or any other governing legislation. Institutions are created by law, and they must operate strictly within the boundaries of the laws that establish them. Any deviation from legal provisions not only undermines institutional integrity but also sets dangerous precedents for governance at the local level.

The Consortium believes the core issues at FCC are leadership-related and warns that transferring administrators will not solve the problem unless leadership practices change.

As civil society, we remain committed to promoting peaceful engagement, democratic governance, and constructive dialogue among all stakeholders. We believe that Freetown can only progress when its leaders, both political and administrative, work together in the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and accountability. We call on all parties to put aside personal and political differences and focus on the collective responsibility of delivering quality services to the people they are elected and appointed to serve.

The CSO Consortium stands ready to support mediation efforts, governance reforms, and community engagement initiatives that promote unity, transparency, and improved service delivery within the Municipality. The people of Freetown deserve nothing less.

Issued by:

The Civil Society Consortium on Community Accountability and Service Delivery

Signed

……………………………….

Willam Sao Lamin

Chairman, CSO Consortium on Service Delivery and Accountability