Kasafoni Residents unhappy with Government approach on Land Rights 

A dangerous crisis is steadily brewing in the heart of Tonkolili North over the control and ownership of the iron ore-rich Kasafoni concession, raising alarms about potential social unrest and serious human rights violations. As pressure mounts for a resolution, the government’s apparent inaction has left communities feeling betrayed and neglected, their rights to land and livelihood hanging perilously in the balance.

More than a month ago, Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh informed Parliament that the executive branch aimed to resolve the escalating dispute through a dialogue involving the Gento Group of companies, the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Mining Corporation (SLMMDMC), local chiefs, and landowners. During this time, Parliament was asked to delay hearings on a petition submitted by local landowners until the executive-led process could be implemented. However, as weeks have passed, little progress has been made, leaving community members anxious and frustrated.

At the core of this dispute lies a bitter contest for ownership. The SLMMDMC, a state entity created under Constitutional Instrument No. 11, claims ownership and control over the Kasafoni concession. In stark contrast, the Gento Group of Companies, a wholly Sierra Leonean-owned business, argues that it has a legitimate lease agreement signed directly with local landowners and authorities—an agreement that the government recognizes as binding and enforceable.

However, local landowners, supported by chiefs and community leaders, assert that the SLMMDMC has disregarded their rights by attempting to seize control of their ancestral lands without genuine consultation or compensation. They have formally petitioned Parliament, demanding recognition and enforcement of their lease with the Gento Group.

While initial communications from the Chief Minister’s office suggested a willingness to mediate, locals report that the dialogue process has stalled completely, leaving them in the dark about the future of their lands. Reports from Kasafoni indicate a troubling development: the SLMMDMC appears to be pressuring local authorities to sign new lease agreements, a move characterized by many, as coercive and divisive.

Community leaders are sounding the alarm, warning that such tactics not only violate local laws, but also pose a serious threat to the region’s social fabric, risking escalation into open conflict. Observers argue that SLMMDMC’s initiative to forge new lease agreements undermines the constitutional and human rights of the affected communities, constituting a clear infringement upon customary laws that should govern land negotiations.

Critics point out that the government’s failure to act swiftly undermines the constitutional rights of citizens to property, participation, and protection. “The blatant disregard for the principle of free, prior, and informed consent is alarming,” notes a civil society activist, emphasizing the fundamental human rights principles that should guide land and resource governance in Sierra Leone.

The implications of this conflict extend far beyond the boundaries of Kasafoni. If left unresolved, this dispute risks establishing a dangerous precedent where communities lose control over their lands to state-backed corporations without due process. Analysts warn that such actions could erode public trust in government institutions, inflaming grievances in rural areas and undermining Sierra Leone’s fragile social stability.

As frustrations deepen, calls for action grow louder. Community members are putting pressure on the Chief Minister to honor his promise of dialogue and deliver a fair resolution. Critics of the executive branch argue that the lack of urgency and silence surrounding this issue are exacerbating tensions, leaving vulnerable communities exposed to manipulation and intimidation.

The situation in Kasafoni is rapidly becoming a powder keg, one that could ignite if the government continues to overlook the voices and needs of its citizens. With human rights considerations at stake and the risk of social unrest looming large, it is imperative for the government to take immediate and decisive action to engage all stakeholders in constructive dialogue. Only then can the specter of conflict be averted, and the rights of the local communities be safeguarded.