Press Release, Story
In Sierra Leone; Churches Under Attack, Inter-Religious Council Executive Urges Government To Act Urgently.

Bo City, Sierra Leone; Churches in the West African Country of Sierra Leone has been under attack for years but tension continue to rise and the situation is getting out of control. Church’s properties worth millions of Leones have been destroyed and no redress from the Sierra Leone government.

Sierra Leone, transitioned from war to peace returned to the UN Security Council after 53 years in the non-permanent Category.

The West African Country is the Chair of the African Union Committee of 10 (C-10) for the reform of the UN Security Council, voted for by 188 countries [there are 193 UN member states] is a demonstration of the respect for Sierra Leone.

In 2018, Sierra Leone was ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world its score on the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Control of Corruption index, 49% but the Country managed to improve its score from 49% in 2018 to 83%, in 2022.

However, Christians in Sierra Leone are heavily been pursued by some political actors leading to the destruction of churches and the violations of human rights.

According to the General Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone, Rabbi Tamba Eric Mbayo, Churches have been attacked physically but no action has been taken by the government authorities and the judiciary.

‘‘Days ago, churches were shut down and prevented from worshiping in Kenema due to the Bondo Society activities that was also taking place on Sunday and a high-profile personality was expected to grace the said occasion and this is considered as a violation of the constitutional rights of freedom of worship.’’

Those attacking churches and faith leaders are violating human rights, they are aiding in undermining the peace and stability of our country, Sierra Leone but no one wants to act. Rabbi Mbayo lamented.

Sometime, last year a church was vandalized in Freetown and the Bible was destroyed and this cannot happen in other parts of Africa. He explained.

For about three years, we in the church have suffered attacks by officials and some people of high connections and these cases are before the magistrate courts but no ruling.

Religious leaders have been threatened by government officials for church land but who stands against this? He asked.

Those appointed in various positions by President Julius Maada Bio, to act according to the law of Sierra Leone to protect our peace and stability country. Rabbi . Mbayo urges

Sierra Leone is a peaceful country but actions by some people is hindering our duties as religious leaders, he said.

One of our churches have been destroyed because a government agency is claiming ownership of the land and that land was bought some 20 years ago and fortunate for us , the persons who sold the land to us are alive and  the Paramount chief of the town is a witness, our church was broken down and my people are moving from house to house worshiping, this is a slap in the face of the church.’’

The General Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone and Executive Member of the Inter-Religious  Council of Sierra Leone ,Rabbi Tamba Eric-Mbayo is amongst several church leaders participating in a  three day project staffs and church leaders capacity building training workshop  for  Championing human rights and the rule of law  in the Mano River  Basin, the event is held under the auspice of the Faith and Justice Network.

The Faith and Justice Network (FJN) is a leading faith-based advocacy organization dedicated to promoting justice, peace, and sustainable development across Liberia and the Mano River Basin.

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