In what is being widely hailed as a defining moment in Sierra Leone’s complex struggle over land rights, the Government has officially recognized the lease agreement between the Gento Group of Companies and landowners of the Kasafoni area. This decision, according to government sources, is consistent with President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s renewed and uncompromising stance against illegal land acquisition, commonly referred to as land grabbing.

Credible parliamentary insiders revealed that the Bio-led administration has requested Parliament to temporarily pause further action on a public petition concerning the Kasafoni lease. This pause, however, is not a dismissal but a strategic window to allow for peaceful engagement and conflict resolution involving all parties—most notably the Sierra Leone Mines and Mineral Development and Management Corporation (SLMMDMC), the National Minerals Agency (NMA), the affected communities, and Gento Group.

The petition was filed by Paramount Chief Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III on behalf of the Sambaia, Dansogoia, and Diang Chiefdoms, spanning the Tonkolili and Koinadugu Districts.

It has triggered national debate on the fate of customary land rights, equitable development, and the role of powerful corporate interests in local land deals.

For many observers, Kasafoni has become more than a land dispute—it’s a litmus test for justice and constitutional adherence in postwar Sierra Leone.
Bio’s Hard Line on Land Grabbing

The Government’s recognition of the Kasafoni lease is being interpreted through the lens of President Bio’s recent public remarks, in which he condemned corrupt public officials who exploit their positions to unlawfully acquire land.

In a fiery town hall speech earlier this month, the President did not mince his words:
“Anyone—regardless of their title—who grabs land through coercion or fraud is betraying the people and the Constitution. Such behavior will not be tolerated. No one is above the law.”

The President’s tone marks a decisive break from past administrations often criticized for turning a blind eye—or worse, enabling—land-related corruption. His administration’s support for the 2022 Customary Land Rights Act and the Mines and Minerals Development Act signals a legal and moral commitment to safeguard ancestral land from exploitation.

Legal Reform Meets Political Will
Both the Customary Land Rights Act and Section 21 of the 1991 Constitution enshrine the protection of land under customary ownership. By recognizing the lease agreement while encouraging further stakeholder dialogue, the Government is signaling a preference for conflict resolution rooted in both legality and community consent.

Upcoming negotiations are expected to include representatives from the three affected chiefdoms, Gento Group, and relevant government bodies. A comprehensive report is anticipated following these talks, which could inform future legislative and administrative action on land ownership and resource governance.

A National Blueprint in the Making?
Civil society organizations have cautiously welcomed the government’s latest approach, describing it as a rare moment of transparency and inclusivity in land governance.
“This is not just about land—it’s about justice, accountability, and the future of rural communities,” said one prominent land rights advocate. “If the Government gets this right, Kasafoni could be a national model for resolving land disputes.”

The implications of this case go far beyond Tonkolili and Koinadugu. With land disputes plaguing communities across Sierra Leone—from mining areas to the Western Area Peninsula—the Government’s handling of the Kasafoni situation may set the tone for future interventions.

As public attention remains firmly fixed on the next steps, many are hopeful that this renewed political will, backed by legislative reforms and strong presidential rhetoric, will finally bring clarity and fairness to Sierra Leone’s long-contentious land sector.

In the end, Kasafoni may be remembered not only for its mineral wealth but for triggering a turning point in how Sierra Leone manages, protects, and respects land ownership.