AWE Media Sierra Leone

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  In a significant display of political dialogue, Sierra Leone’s main opposition, the All People’s Congress (APC), held high-level talks with President Julius Maada Bio and senior government officials at State House on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, signaling a renewed commitment to national cohesion and democratic engagement. The APC delegation which consist of its party parliamentary leader, Honorable Abdul Karim Kargbo, the West Area Rural District Council Chairman, Kasho Roland Cole and the Freetown City Council Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyeer was led by its Acting Chairman, Ambassador Osman Foday Yansaneh, who underscored the importance of constructive opposition in strengthening governance.  The main opposition party's Acting Chairman emphasized that the party remains committed to peaceful political participation, national stability, and collaboration on issues of national interest, while maintaining its critical oversight role. “Our engagement is guided by the ...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, has appointed popular musician Abubakarr S. Turay, widely known as “Shaddy Baby,” as the country’s new Peace Ambassador, replacing Alhaji Amadu Bah (LAJ). The announcement, made on Thursday, April 30, 2026, signals a renewed push by the government to engage youth and the creative industry in promoting national cohesion, at a time when authorities are seeking to strengthen social stability and civic responsibility. Shaddy Baby, a household name in Sierra Leone’s music scene, has built a reputation for blending Afrobeat rhythms with socially conscious messages that resonate with young audiences. Rising to prominence in the late 2010s, he has since cultivated a loyal following both at home and within the diaspora, using his platform to address themes such as unity, resilience and community empowerment. His growing influence among urban youth is widely seen as a key factor behind his selection. In a brief statement a...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  As Journalists, media innovators and civil society actors across the globe on Thursday, marked World Fact-Checking Day 2026, renewing calls for stronger defenses against misinformation in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, social media and rapid information flows.   The day observed annually on April 2, and promoted by global fact-checking networks, the day highlights the critical role of verification in safeguarding democracy, public trust and informed decision-making.    This year’s observance comes amid growing concern over the scale and sophistication of false information worldwide, with experts emphasizing collaboration, digital literacy and technological innovation as key tools in the fight for truth.   Globally, fact-checking has evolved from a niche journalistic practice into a central pillar of modern media ecosystems and the rise of digital platforms and AI-generated content has intensified both the spread ...

By Chris Kamara GDMS The FRMF in the finals of the AFCON 2025 acted in bad faith towards the match and played a key role in cajoling Senegal to continue the match despite Senegal were in breach of Article 82 of the AFCON Regulations , by walking out of the game , without the approval of the referee.   Morocco acted in bad faith on the pretext that, they have an advantage due to the penalty that had been awarded to them and they believed that, they will score and eventually go on to win the tournament.  On that note, they were very sure that getting Senegal back on the pitch will secure that agenda and as such enable them win the AFCON.  What they failed to know is that, such intentional dishonest and deceitful conduct would waive their rights ( estoppel) to any successful litigation in future as they have participated in correcting the wrong doing of Senegal; and did not find anything wrong in their conduct.  Morocco  did not refuse to play citing the breac...

By: Alhaji A. Barrie Morocco have been officially crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a dramatic and unprecedented ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeals Board that overturned the outcome of the tournament’s final. In a decision that has sent shockwaves across the football world, CAF invoked Article 84 of its competition regulations governing match forfeitures to determine that Senegal national football team forfeited the final against Morocco national football team. As a result, the match has been officially recorded as a 3–0 victory in favour of Morocco, with the title awarded to the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF). The ruling effectively hands the North African side the AFCON crown without the final being decided on the pitch. The decision marks one of the most controversial conclusions in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, raising questions about disciplinary enforcement, tournament integrity, and the broader ...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at the State House swore in Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), charging him with safeguarding the country’s democratic process. Mr. Alpha takes office following parliamentary approval and consultations with registered political parties, as required by Sierra Leone’s Constitution. In his first remarks after taking the oath, the new electoral chief described his appointment as “a sacred contract with the people of Sierra Leone” and pledged to lead the Commission with independence, transparency, integrity and inclusiveness. “Our democracy thrives on the belief that every voice matters and every vote counts,” Mr. Alpha said, assuring citizens and political actors that the ECSL under his leadership would be guided strictly by constitutional and legal frameworks. He committed to maintaining an open-door pol...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Sierra Leone’s joint security personnel who were arrested and detained by Guinean troops following a cross-border incursion into the northern town of Kaliereh, Falaba District, have been released after high-level diplomatic engagements between the two West African neighbours. The incident, which sparked anxiety among residents along the porous Sierra Leone–Guinea frontier, occurred when armed troops from Guinea reportedly crossed into Kaliereh and detained members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and other joint security officers stationed in the area. The unexpected incursion heightened tensions in the remote border community and surrounding chiefdoms in Falaba District, raising concerns over territorial integrity and the safety of security personnel deployed to safeguard Sierra Leone’s northern boundary. However, swift diplomatic intervention by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Timothy Musa Kabba...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Assistant Coach Sheku Umaro Kamara has declared that Star Sports Academy are fully focused and highly motivated ahead of their crucial Leone Rock Premier League clash away to Wusum Stars in Makeni on Sunday. Speaking to AWE Media Sierra Leone, coach Kamara described his side as “highly spirited and focused to win” as they prepare for what is widely seen as one of the standout fixtures of the weekend. The assistant coach recalled last season’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Wusum Stars at the same venue but insisted his team is determined to turn the tide this time around. “Makeni is like our second home ground,” Kamara said.  “We secured our qualification to the Premier League in Makeni. Apart from our desire to seek revenge, our season goal remains the same, to win the Leone Rock Premier League and be crowned champions for the first time in our club’s history,” he affirmed. Star Sports, currently sitting second on the table with 29 points, head into the encoun...

By: SLAJ National Secretariat  The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, on Friday, 27th February 2026, welcomed the Chief Executive Officer of Africell Sierra Leone, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, to the SLAJ Secretariat in what has been described as a historic visit. The visit was a courtesy call to the Association’s newly elected Executive, which had been planning to visit its partners as part of the tradition observed by every incoming Executive.  However, Africell took the initiative to visit the Secretariat first, marking a significant departure from the norm. During the visit, the SLAJ President, accompanied by other Executive Members, conducted a tour at the Secretariat with the Africell CEO and the company’s Media Manager, Abdul Karim Sesay. The tour provided firsthand insight into the current state of the Secretariat and highlighted potential areas for development and partnership. “This is a historic moment for SLAJ. Usually, we pa...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Mikel Arteta says Arsenal FC have earned their place at the top of the table as they return to Premier League action away to Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. Speaking during the press conference ahead of the match, Arteta confirmed Arsenal lead the league by four points and stressed that his confidence in a potential title push is based on the daily standards he sees from his squad. “My belief comes from what I see every day. The preparation, the attitude, and how much the players want it,” Arteta said. On team injury update, Arteta provided positive fitness news, confirming Riccardo Calafiori trained fully and is expected to be available.  Ben White’s substitution in the previous match was described as fatigue-related, with no serious injury concerns. Captain Martin Odegaard will miss the Wolves game but could return for the weekend, while Kai Havertz remains a possibility depending on late assessments. Arteta said squad availability will be key as Arsena...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson, Sierra Leone  Sierra Leone’s senior sports administrator and respected journalist, Unisa Deen Kargbo (UDK), has added another major milestone to his growing list of achievements with his latest appointment to the Finance Committee of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). The famous sports enthusiasts from Sierra Leone historically joined the IBSA as the only African selected to serve on the four-man committee. As a long-time member of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), Kargbo’s journey has been defined by years of dedicated service to sports development, para-sports advocacy, and professional excellence both on and off the field.  His steady rise from sports journalism to national sports administration and now on the continental para-sports engagement has earned him widespread respect across Africa and beyond. Reacting to the appointment, in interview with Awoko Newspaper on Wednesday afternoon, Kargbo described the m...

By: Alhaji A. Barrie  Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Timothy Musa Kabba, met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Washington, D.C., to strengthen bilateral ties at a critical moment in relations between the two nations.   The meeting took place against the backdrop of the recent U.S. travel restrictions imposed on Sierra Leonean citizens, adding urgency to discussions on migration and economic cooperation.  Both sides acknowledged the challenges posed by the ban and emphasized the importance of creating viable economic opportunities in Sierra Leone to reduce irregular migration, while also exploring ways to enhance border management.   Minister Kabba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving ties with the United States, stressing Sierra Leone’s readiness to attract U.S. investment in key sectors such as agriculture and infrastructure.  He emphasized that stronger economic cooperation would not only drive prosper...

By: Alhaji A Barrie The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has handed down some of the toughest sanctions in recent memory against the Federation Senegalese Football (FSF) and the Federation of Royale Maroccan Football (FRMF) following the chaotic TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final.   Senegal’s Head Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has been suspended for five official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct.  Players Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each banned for two matches for misconduct towards the referee. The FSF itself faces fines totalling USD 615,000, covering supporter misconduct, unsporting behaviour by players and staff, and multiple player cautions.   Morocco’s star defender Achraf Hakimi has been suspended for two matches, with one match suspended for a year. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match ban and a USD 100,000 fine.  The FRMF was fined USD 315,000 for in...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  In the quiet aftermath of Morocco’s narrow 1–0 defeat to Senegal in the final of the 2025 CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Achraf Hakimi chose reflection over regret.  The Atlas Lions’ captain, leading the host nation through a historic tournament, took to Instagram, where he commands a global following of more than 22.7 million, to share a deeply personal message of gratitude, pride, and unwavering belief in Morocco’s future. After what he described as “very difficult days” spent absorbing the weight of the final loss, Hakimi said he felt compelled to speak “from the heart.” His message was not one of disappointment, but of appreciation, an emotional tribute to the people, institutions, and teammates who shaped Morocco’s AFCON journey. Hakimi began by acknowledging His Majesty King Mohammed VI, crediting his vision and support for making the 2025 AFCON “undoubtedly the best in history.” Hosting the tournament, he said, was not just an...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Technical Committee’s on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 released the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco team of the tournament. The all-star lineup is more than a list of standout names, it's a portrait of African football at its finest. It's dominated by the continent’s three most compelling sides, the All-Star XI features four players each from champions Senegal and hosts Morocco, alongside three from bronze medalists Nigeria.  Together, the recognition of the eleven players of the three nations explained why the AFCON remains one of world football’s most gripping spectacles. Set up in a 4-3-3 formation, the team is anchored by Morocco’s Yassine Bounou between the posts. The experienced goalkeeper was a model of composure throughout the tournament, producing reflex saves and commanding his area with authority as Morocco surged to the final on home soil. The defence blends elegance, power...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  The now-infamous “goalkeepers’ towel dramas," at the 2025 CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) should have been just a footnote in football but has now became one of the most talked-about subplots of the continent's most prestigious hosted in Morocco.  Across the tournament’s most decisive nights, the semi-final and the grand final, a simple towel, used by goalkeepers to dry gloves and steady nerves, became a flashpoint for controversy, gamesmanship accusations, and debates about sportsmanship on Africa’s biggest football stage. The drama first erupted during the tense semi-final clash between hosts Morocco and Nigeria.  As the match stretched nerves to breaking point, Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali repeatedly found his towel placed behind the goalpost as part of his routine, removed or displaced. Television cameras caught moments of confusion as Nwabali turned to retrieve it, only to discover it missing again.  Nigerian pla...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala has been appointed to officiate the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between tournament hosts Morocco and Senegal, scheduled for 19:00GMT on Sunday night in Rabat. Referee Ndala, who previously handled the tournament’s opening match between Morocco and Comoros, will be assisted by fellow Congolese officials Guylain Ngila and Mwanya Mbilizi.  Additionally, South Africa’s Abongile Tom will serve as fourth official, while Pierre Ghislain leads charge of Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) to be assisted by Leticia Viana and Stephane Eleazar Yiembe. The highly anticipated final will be played at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, where Morocco aim to end a five-decade wait for continental glory against a formidable Senegal side seeking to further cement its status among Africa’s football elite. After a month of compelling action that highlighted the depth and quality of African football, the TotalEnergies AFCON 202...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Following a long walk that started last month, the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, is climaxing on high as four of Africa's heavyweights footballing nations namely: Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and tournament hosts, Morocco are set to clash in the semi-finals later today. In tournament's anticipated semifinal races are the record seven-time champions Egypt, three-time winners Nigeria, reigning champions Senegal and host nation Morocco have emerged as the four last teams standing, setting up two mouth-watering encounters schedule for today's Wednesday, 14 January, 2026. After claiming their spot in the semi-final spot on Saturday night with a dramatic 3–2 victory over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, ending the Elephants’ title defence in a pulsating contest, the Pharaohs of Egypt will now take on Senegal in Tangier at 17:00 GMT. The Senegalese who were the first to reach the last four, edging Mali 1–0 on Friday with ...

By: Yusuf M. Suma (BBC Suma)   For his outstanding contribution to education, Mr. Shebora Samba Kamara, a renowned lecturer and station manager of Voice of Wusum radio 88.5 in Makeni, has been awarded as the best Bombali district lecturer of the year 2025. The award ceremony was organized by Save our Youth Initiative organization with the titled "The Bombali all Walks of Life award." Mr. Shebora Samba Kamara lectures various international relations and communications related modules both in the mass communication and political science and international relations departments at UniMak. Away from that, he assists in lecturing inmates at the Makeni correctional center. Mr Kamara is a registered member of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), and he's been serving as a media practitioner (journalist) and analyst for over seven years. He is currently serving as the lead public relations officer for the University of Makeni-UNIMAK. Shebora, for a very long time, h...