By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Reports from within the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Executive Committee indicate that members are urging President Thomas Daddy Brima to hold an emergency meeting either this evening or tomorrow. This meeting aims to discuss a way forward for engaging the membership and ensuring transparency following the cancellation of the congress on April 5, 2025.
It has been reported that representatives from FIFA and CAF left on Saturday night, and the SLFA has not yet received any official communication regarding their position on the cancelled congress.
The Ordinary Congress could not proceed after President Brima left the venue due to security concerns. According to Article 37.3 of the SLFA statutes, the President has the exclusive authority to preside over congress sessions.
Two violent incidents occurred prior to the congress. The first involved the President’s Press Secretary, David Turner, who was allegedly attacked by the driver and associates of Bo Rangers Chairman, Babadi Kamara. The second incident involved the chairman and vice-chairman of the Kenema District Football Association, resulting in serious injury to the vice-chairman.
While Kamara has denied the allegations regarding the attack on Turner, he condemned the violence and offered an apology.
By 2:30 PM on that Saturday, calm had returned to the congress venue, and registration was underway, with delegates confirming their attendance as required by Acting General Secretary Ing. Mohamed Benson Bawoh. The President arrived at the venue with some delegates and supporters gathered in the reception area.
Police enforced access controls, denying entry to unaccredited journalists and individuals outside the venue. Supporters of Babadi Kamara, also denied entry, insisted that the President’s unaccredited supporters should leave, creating tension as they sought access to the reception area.
I observed AIG Sylvester Koroma, Regional Commander of Freetown West, engaging with the President and other stakeholders regarding the situation. Shortly after, President Brima left the venue and did not return due to security concerns.
AIG Koroma assured the press that there was sufficient security in place to manage the congress.