Military Demolishes Krio Cultural Site in Murray Town
The Krio Descendants Union (KDU), representing the Creole ethnic group of Sierra Leone—descendants of freed African-Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, and liberated African slaves, who settled in the Western Area between 1787 and 1885—has accused the Sierra Leone Armed Forces of unlawful demolition at a construction site in Murray Town.
According to KDU, military personnel allegedly trespassed on their building site along Sir Samuel Lewis Road in the early hours of Friday, July 11, 2025, and demolished structures meant for the long-anticipated “Krio Ōse”, a cultural and community center symbolizing Krio heritage. The project had already reached significant construction stages, including the installation of concrete support pillars.
In an exclusive interview, Mr. Christian Ogoo, Chairman of the KDU Building Committee, expressed outrage over what he called a “blatant and unlawful act.”
“If it was indeed the Sierra Leone military at Murray Town, they acted without any legal notice or court order. They trespassed and demolished the site in the dead of night—like thieves,” Mr. Ogoo stated.
According to him, the land had been officially leased to KDU by the Freetown City Council, and all legal documentation is in the Union’s possession. The incident has not only caused financial losses—estimated in the millions of Leones—but has also raised serious concerns about land rights, the rule of law, and the protection of ethnic minority cultural projects.
“This is an act of lawlessness. We’ve made countless attempts to resolve the matter through official channels, but no one has taken responsibility,” he added. “This project is not just for us; it’s to leave a legacy, attract investors, and preserve the cultural identity of the Krio people.”
The KDU is now calling on Parliament and the Government to urgently intervene by clearly demarcating the disputed land and ensuring such incidents do not reoccur.
The controversy has reignited national debate around land governance, military involvement in civil affairs, and the marginalization of minority ethnic projects in Sierra Leone.
Efforts to get a statement from the Murray Town Barracks were unsuccessful. The media team redirected inquiries to the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant Amara Idara Bangura, based at Cockerill on Wilkinson Road. However, as of press time, no official response had been provided.
The Krio Descendants Union urges all its members to remain united and proactive as the organization seeks legal and diplomatic redress.