The Sierra Leone Police have officially launched a manhunt for Musa Bangura and Alie Sesay, over their alleged involvement in homosexual activities, an act deemed illegal under Sierra Leonean law.
According to police reports Musa Bangura, a resident of Small Country, Waterloo, in the Western Area Rural District, and his partner were declared wanted following what authorities described as “evidence-backed reports” linking them to same-sex relations.
In a statement released on 20th November, 2021, the police urged members of the public to provide credible information on the whereabouts of the suspects, warning that anyone found harbouring them would face legal consequences.
Bangura, described by locals as a well-known member of his community, reportedly escaped from a local chief’s cell alongside his partner, Alie Sesay, after they were allegedly caught in a compromising situation by a relative. The two men were initially handed over to the local authorities following an attempted mob attack by community members. However, they reportedly fled from custody overnight before further harm could occur.
Police sources say officers arrived at the chief’s compound the following morning after receiving intelligence about the incident, but the suspects had already disappeared.
Under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, homosexuality remains a criminal offence in Sierra Leone, carrying penalties of up to life imprisonment. Despite mounting pressure from human rights organizations calling for decriminalization, the country maintains a deeply conservative stance on the issue, both legally and socially.
Civil society activists have expressed concern over the public nature of the police declaration, warning that it could incite mob violence or extrajudicial actions. “This is a dangerous step backward for human rights in Sierra Leone,” said one human rights advocate who spoke on condition of anonymity.
As of press time, the whereabouts of Bangura and Sesay remain unknown, and no legal representation has been confirmed. The police, meanwhile, have reaffirmed their commitment to upholding national laws and what they termed “public morality,” as the case continues to spark widespread debate across traditional and social media.