Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Chief Councilor of the Freetown City Council (FCC), Councillor Zainab Conteh, has raised serious concerns over what she describes as “sustained intimidation and victimisation” in the course of performing her official duties.
In an open letter on Friday, November 7, addressed to several governance and women’s rights institutions, including UN Women, the 50/50 Group, Campaign for Good Governance, and the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, the Conteh said the harassment she has faced stems from her position as Chief Councillor, a role she was unanimously elected to by her colleague councillors.
She explained that her role includes acting as Mayor whenever both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are unavailable, a responsibility supported by existing administrative practices in other councils across Sierra Leone. However, she said her execution of this role has been undermined by senior officials, including the Chief Administrator (CA) of the council, Raman Farmar and the Minister of Local Government, Tamba Lamina.
According to Councillor Conteh, during an official meeting at the FCC, the Minister of Local Government allegedly made remarks that questioned her authority, even while she was acting in the Mayor’s stead. The Chief Administrator later appeared on Radio Democracy 98.1 FM, publicly describing her as “ignorant” and lacking understanding of council matters, a statement she said reflects a “troubling pattern of institutional intimidation and gendered undermining.”
She further revealed that a formal letter from the CA to the Mayor has challenged the legitimacy of her position, even though it was established by council vote. Conteh accused the Minister of siding with the administrative authority against the will of elected councillors.
“I am compelled to express that this repeated singling out and public questioning of my authority as a woman in leadership is not only an act of political bias but also a direct affront to the principles of gender equality,” she wrote. “It undermines women’s political participation for which your esteemed institutions continue to advocate.”
The Chief Councillor called for solidarity and institutional support from gender equality and governance bodies to ensure her situation receives the attention it deserves.
“As women continue to push for representation, voice, and influence in Sierra Leone’s governance structure, such experiences serve as a reminder of the systemic barriers and gender biases that female leaders still face in public office,” she added.
The letter was copied to the APC Party Secretariat, Conteh’s political party, Office of the First Lady, Parliamentary Committee on Local Government and Community Affairs, Legal Link, and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs.
Councillor Conteh concluded by reaffirming her commitment to serve with integrity, urging institutions to defend and protect the democratic space for women in leadership.
Some members of the public have voiced their concerns over the issue and pleaded with authorities to take prudent steps to stop it.
The local population is aware that this is not the first time some senior members of the Council have reported intimidation.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
