By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
Renowned legal practitioner and former President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), Basita Michael, Esq., has commended His Excellency Dr. Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio for his renewed commitment to reforming Sierra Leone’s long-troubled land sector.
In a public statement shared via her official Facebook page, Lawyer Basita described President Bio’s recent pledge to “inject sanity and transparency” into the land administration system as a “welcoming move” aimed at restoring fairness, credibility, and public trust in the land acquisition and distribution processes.
“The President’s pledge is timely,” she wrote. “For far too long, our land system has been a source of injustice and unrest. A genuine and transparent reform effort is not only necessary but long overdue.”
Sierra Leone’s land sector has for decades been plagued by corruption, lack of transparency, double allocations, unlawful evictions, and widespread court disputes. Many citizens, particularly women, vulnerable groups, and the poor, have been victims of land grabs and illegal dispossessions often with no meaningful access to justice.
Lawyer Basita emphasized the need for land distribution and acquisition to be carried out in a transparent, credible, and fair manner in order to uphold citizens’ rights and enhance public confidence in state institutions.
President Bio recently addressed the nation regarding the ongoing land dispute between the Sierra Leone Armed Forces (SLAF) and the Services Secondary School (SSS) in Juba, Freetown. He acknowledged the widespread challenges within the sector and reaffirmed his administration’s determination to clean up the land system and hold accountable those involved in illegal activities.
“We must protect the rights of all Sierra Leoneans to own land lawfully,” President Bio stated. “This administration is determined to clean up the sector and hold accountable those who perpetuate illegality.”
In response, Lawyer Basita called on the President to back his words with concrete legislative reforms and to strengthen institutional governance to address the decades-old land crisis.
Civil society groups, legal experts, the media, development partners, and everyday citizens have echoed similar calls emphasizing the need for a comprehensive land policy review, improved access to land records, and the prosecution of corrupt land officials.
As the government continues to engage with stakeholders and navigate the complexities of the land impasse involving the military and the Services School, many await tangible action. This reporter will continue to monitor and report on the unfolding developments concerning President Bio’s promise to sanitize Sierra Leone’s land sector.