Stories written by Mohamed Fofanah
Mohamed Tiamieu Fofanah is a freelance journalist. He contributed articles on politics and national affairs to Awoko newspaper and several magazines in Sierra Leone. Mohamed lives in Freetown, Sierra Leone. | Web

SIERRA LEONE: Journalists at War with Highest Court

Umaru Fofana looks dishevelled. His hair is overgrown and people who do not know him could be mistaken for thinking he just joined an Afro band. And his hanging beard will surely solicit suspicious glances.

CORRUPTION-SIERRA LEONE: Anti Graft Now in the Hands of Civil Society

The fight against corruption in Sierra Leone has taken on a new face. Government and civil society are now working together to stamp out rampant fraud.

'The government subsidy programme in Zambia is a success.' - Phiri Credit:  Zahira Kharsany/IPS

ECONOMY: CAADP: The African Solution for Net Export

Rodger Phiri is a wealthy man. And the most amazing thing is that he made his money through farming.

The practice of "inheriting" wives is entrenched across Sierra Leone. But it is also a violation of new laws. Credit:  Mohamed Fofanah/IPS

SIERRA LEONE: Custom Slow To Yield To New Law on Inheritance

They told her after the 40-day ceremony to mark the death of her husband. M'ballu Kamara's in-laws said she would be taken care of by her husband's younger brother. It took her a moment to realise the "care" she was to receive would require that she become his third wife.

DEATH PENALTY-SIERRA LEONE: Successful Appeal Strengthens Case For Abolition

A court in Sierra Leone has overturned treason convictions for 11 men. It is the first successful appeal against a death penalty in that country, opening the possibility of an eventual end to capital punishment there.

Designated a priority for reparations , Sierra Leone's war widows fear they will be sent to the back of the queue. Credit:  Mohamed Fofanah/IPS

RIGHTS-SIERRA LEONE: Reparations Stretched Thin

"Eight years ago my husband threw his haversack on his back and bade us goodbye. My two kids and I came out of the house and watched him leave. Water was dripping from our eyes uncontrollably; it was as if we were already mourning his death. He was bound for the war front."

SIERRA LEONE: Commission Launches First Human Rights Report

A barefoot girl watches expressionless as men clad in expensive suits and women in designer clothes make their way on foot to the Community Centre in Kroo Bay, Freetown. They are here to launch the first ever State of Human Rights Report for Sierra Leone; Zainab, 12, is in the midst of another day on the narrow, muddy streets of the area, selling groundnuts to help support her family.

Police have failed to prevent sporadic political violence. Credit:  Mohammed Fofana/IPS

SIERRA LEONE: Partisan Politics Threatens Peace

A violent showdown on August 13 in the heart of Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital, demonstrated the political tension that has been brewing between the country's two main political parties, the ruling All People's Congress (APC) and the main opposition Sierra Leone's People's Party (SLPP).

Poster promoting female candidates for local council in Sierra Leone Credit:  Mohammed Fofanah/IPS

POLITICS-SIERRA LEONE: Women Candidates Progress, But Not Enough

Official results from the July 2008 local council elections in Sierra Leone have been announced by the chairperson of the country's National Electoral Commission. Despite numerous reports of harassment and intimidation, more women were elected to councils than in polls four years ago. But results fell short of the 30 percent representation set by gender activists.

A gathering in Freetown to call for violence-free elections. Credit: Tiggy Ridley/IRIN

POLITICS-SIERRA LEONE: Women As An Antidote to Corruption?

Sierra Leone will hold general elections Saturday with a number of significant achievements in hand, not least maintaining peace for five years.

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