Human Rights Commission Meets Angry Community Members, Striking Mine Workers of Sierra Diamonds in Kenema

A team from the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) of Sierra Leone led by Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq conducted a Fact-Finding Mission in Tongo, Kenema District on a stalemate between the Management of Sierra Diamonds Mining Company and employees and the community people on the strike action by the mine workers which had gone viral on social media, on Friday 21st March 2025.

The objective of the Mission is to provide a mechanism and prevent any potential violence and destruction of property. The team first engaged together traditional leaders, landowners, Civil Society members, and ordinary community people in the town, creating an opportunity for all in attendance to provide a good background to the issue and express their concerns and grievances.

Furthermore, the chiefs informed the Commission that Sierra Diamonds started mining operations in their community in 2018 and that since then six (6) communities have been affected by their operations, namely: Kpandubu, Bumpeh, Nguakoma, Mavehun, Sandeyeima, and Torkpombu.

He narrated that the people in these communities have had to desert their homes due to frequent blasting by the company causing serious damage to their homes in addition to the deprivation of their right to use their lands for farming and other agricultural purposes.

The Chief also emphasized that there has never been any compensation for the deprivation of the use of their land and their homes save that they give them SLLe80 (equivalent to about US$4) per household each time they conduct blasting.

Speaking on behalf of Civil Society, Umu Ndanema Sesay working for Women in Mining and Extractive (WOME), informed the Fact-Finding team that mining activities of Sierra Diamonds have led to the contamination of their water source, a source to which they no longer have access to and that the only source of drinking water now is from a stream running in between the cemetery.

She made specific reference to elephantiasis and river blindness as the notable diseases that the community has had to put up with. She concluded that they have had a number of engagements with the Paramount Chief and the Management of the company in a bid to address these issues, but nothing has come out of those engagements.

She noted that the Member of Parliament (MP) does not come to see them so there is no contact with their MP.

The team then proceeded to the premises of the company where it engaged over sixty (60) employees who narrated their concerns and disappointments in their employer, Sierra Diamonds.

In his response, the Vice Chairperson expressed admiration for the staff for showing resilience and being law-abiding despite the very difficult circumstances they are faced with. He admonished them to continue to exercise restraint as the Commission undertakes to help resolve the concerns raised by engaging the company and relevant government institutions for a holistic solution to the problem.

A tour of the facility was conducted by the Commission as a climax of the engagement.