Sierra Leone Roundup: Hunger, economic woes, health talks
Hunger and food insecurity
An estimated 4.5 million Sierra Leoneans, approximately 55 percent of the population have limited dietary consumption, according to a new World Bank Sierra Leone Economic Update. The report launched late October in Freetown also indicates that 3.9 million, representing 48 percent of the population have beyond-emergency-level food-related survival strategies. This, according to local news outlet Cocorioko, is impacting negatively on the livelihoods and incomes of farmers and exacerbating food security risks.
Economic woes
Citizens of Sierra Leone are blaming the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government for mismanagement leading to economic challenges. The Sierra Leone Telegraph reports that the government is withholding information about the current state of the economy from its citizens while failing to pay public sector workers and utility institutions among others.
Calls for ceasefire
Sierra Leone has voted in the United Nations (UN) Security Council for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. This was revealed by the Minister of Information for Civic Education, Cheror Bah during a press conference. According to Politicos, the country wants both Israel and Hamas to live ‘side by side’.
Health talks
Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has held talks with former Vice President of The Gambia and Envoy of the Uniting to Combat Tropical Diseases, Isatou Touray over neglected tropical diseases. The Envoy, according to Statehouse revealed among other things that Sierra Leone is one of other countries including Tanzania and Senegal which have been identified for tangible partnerships to help combat tropical diseases in Africa.
Democracy and governance partnership
The United States of America has pledged commitment to continue to work with Sierra Leone to foster democracy and good governance through citizens’ participation. This was confirmed by U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Bryan David Hunt during the launch of the Empowered Communities (BASE) partnership. According to news outlet Cocorioko, this forms part of efforts to hold Sierra Leone’s president Dr. Julius Maada Bio and his Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Government accountable for the failure of democracy and good governance in the country.
