December 2019-Kenema, Sierra Leone — Ibrahim Camara, a former student of Government Secondary School Kenema, has reportedly fled the country following an alleged same-sex encounter with a fellow male student at the school’s boarding facility.
The incident, which allegedly occurred on December 13, 2019, has sparked controversy and concern within the local community. According to sources familiar with the matter, Camara initially fled to neighboring Liberia amid fears of legal repercussions and social backlash.
Homosexuality remains criminalized in Sierra Leone under colonial-era laws, with those found guilty facing prison sentences. While capital punishment is not officially sanctioned for such offenses, public discourse around the issue often heightens fears for those accused.
Camara, once considered a promising student with aspirations of becoming a medical doctor, has seen his academic and professional trajectory disrupted. Repeated efforts to contact his family for comment yielded a brief response from his father, who confirmed that the family is unaware of his current whereabouts.
“He was our eldest son and had so much potential,” the father said. “The police and school authorities have visited our home multiple times looking for him.”
The case has drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Sierra Leone and other conservative societies, where legal and cultural norms often leave individuals vulnerable and without support. Camara’s situation highlights the difficult decisions many must make in pursuit of safety and a future free from persecution.
