By Alhaji Haruna Sani
First Lady Fatima Bio rallying behind the vulnerable in Kono
Civil society organizations, the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) and Marginalized Affected Property Owners (MAPO), have welcomed the recent intervention of First Lady Fatima Bio in addressing longstanding grievances against Koidu Limited, a diamond mining company operating in Tankoro and Gbense chiefdoms, Kono District.
The organizations, which have been advocating for justice for over two decades, expressed deep concern over the continued exploitation and human rights violations suffered by mining-affected communities and company workers.
Viral social media footage recently showed the First Lady visibly angered by what she described as the inhumane and slavery-like conditions imposed on the affected communities and Koidu Limited’s employees.
NMJD and MAPO acknowledged Madam Bio’s commitment to ensuring justice for both the workers and local residents, calling for urgent and sustained action to hold the mining company accountable.
According to NMJD and MAPO, successive governments have failed to address the injustices faced by Kono’s mining communities. The groups detailed a range of environmental and human rights abuses, including water pollution due to chemical contamination of rivers and streams, unrestored mining pits, transforming farmlands into hazardous sites, air pollution from chemical-laden dust, causing severe respiratory illnesses and frequent mine blasting, triggering high blood pressure and premature labor in pregnant women among others
NMJD and MAPO also spoke of unfair compensation and forced evictions, leaving many families displaced.
Despite years of protests and advocacy, these concerns remain largely unresolved, leading to recurring clashes between the company, workers, and local residents.
On December 12, 2007, a peaceful protest against the company’s operations resulted in the deaths of two demonstrators, Aiah Momoh (37) and Musa Momoh (17), allegedly shot by state security forces.
In December 2012, a protest by mine workers demanding better wages and improved safety conditions was violently suppressed by police, leaving one person dead.
According to the CSOs a Commission of Inquiry, led by the late Lawyer Jenkins Johnston, was set up following the 2007 killings and issued wide-ranging recommendations to address the root causes of the unrest. However, none of these recommendations were implemented, allowing the suffering of Kono residents to continue unchecked.
NMJD and MAPO highlighted several setbacks in court proceedings against Koidu Limited for its alleged human rights violations but promised to remain determined to seek justice for the mining-affected communities of Kono.
They see the First Lady’s intervention as a significant step and urge all progressive individuals, institutions, and stakeholders to support the fight for justice and accountability.
The organizations emphasized that true justice will only be served if Koidu Limited and the Sierra Leonean government take decisive action to address the longstanding grievances of the affected communities.
“The people of Kono have suffered for far too long,” the statement concluded. “It is time for real change.”
