Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. A women’s engagement program, organized by renowned musician and activist Zainab Sheriff, was successfully convened on Sunday after police officers had disrupted the initial gathering held at the same venue in October.
The rescheduled meeting, held at the Bintumani Hotel, focused on rallying women across Sierra Leone to support greater female political participation and the election of the country’s first female president in 2028.
The initial event, which was organized to bring together women from all sixteen districts to discuss political support ahead of the 2028 general elections, was halted shortly after it commenced on October 24, 2025, at the Bintumani Conference Centre.
Madam Sheriff stated that she did not believe police clearance was required for the engagement. Following the disruption, she and the Bintumani management visited the Aberdeen Police Station, where the commander allegedly said the action was based on an “order from above.”
Expressing frustration over the nearly six months of planning, Sheriff strongly condemned the interference. She vowed that the organization would “fight tooth and nail to ensure we remove this order from above through the ballot box in 2028.”
Chairing the successfully rescheduled meeting on November 16, Zainab Sheriff used the platform to remind women of their responsibilities, emphasizing that Sierra Leone’s progress must be the central priority.
She then directly addressed the goal of female leadership: “All we ask for is to be on a ticket. For 64 years, it has always been men sitting as president… that is why we are here today,” she said, challenging the notion that women are unfit.
The meeting also featured input from other speakers, including Joseph Kaifala, who called for personal transformation as a prerequisite for national change, noting that leaders must first define themselves before influencing society.
Memuna Mansaray, a representative of street traders, highlighted the economic hardships facing ordinary citizens. She spoke of traders suffering from high costs of living, the depreciation of the Leone, and recent increases in mobile data charges.
Mansaray endorsed the activist, stating, “We have no one to speak for us. That is why we want someone who will advocate for us, and that person is Zainab Sheriff.”
Organizers confirmed that the women’s platform intends to continue its engagements ahead of the 2028 general elections, showing renewed determination despite the initial disruption.
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