In a significant stride towards peace and development, the Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, has successfully mediated and expedited the signing of a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Socfin Agricultural Company (SAC), the people of Sahn Malen, and the Government of Sierra Leone. The agreement, facilitated on Friday, is poised to end years of recurrent friction and usher in a new era of cooperation and shared prosperity for the palm oil-producing region.
The signing ceremony marks the culmination of a series of negotiations held in the chiefdom, Freetown, and Bo District. These talks were initiated to find a lasting solution to disputes that have long hindered the relationship between the large-scale agricultural company and the local community.
Chief Minister Sengeh, who is also an indigene of Sahn Malen Chiefdom, played a central role as a facilitator. He expressed profound gratitude for the successful outcome, beginning his remarks by extolling the divine providence that guided the parties to a peaceful resolution and preserved the lives of all involved in the process. He recalled President Julius Maada Bio’s previous visit to the chiefdom, during which the President made a firm commitment to resolve the ongoing tensions, a promise that this MOU seeks to fulfill.
The heart of the new framework is the formalized and radically inclusive Malen Development Committee (MDC). Hailed by Dr. Sengeh as a model of participatory governance, the MDC’s composition ensures representation from all facets of Sahn Malen society. Its members include people living with disabilities, the Regent Chief, section and town chiefs, representatives from both Upper and Lower Malen, and members from the Local Council.
To guarantee utmost transparency in the management of benefits and opportunities arising from the agreement, the MDC has been formally registered. Furthermore, a robust financial oversight structure has been established. The Honourable Member of Parliament for the area, the Regent Chief, and a designated female representative from the MDC have been appointed as signatories to the account that will manage the community’s benefits, ensuring collective responsibility and accountability.
Dr. Sengeh commended the collaborative spirit demonstrated by all parties. He specifically thanked the youth and the broader community of Sahn Malen for their patience and constructive engagement throughout the delicate negotiation process. He also acknowledged SAC for its courage in maintaining its investment in the region despite past challenges, highlighting the company’s pivotal role in providing jobs, health facilities, and other social amenities for the indigenes.
“The solution we have reached works for SAC, the People of Sahn Malen, and the Government of Sierra Leone,” the Chief Minister stated. “This agreement stands as a powerful testament to the fact that people should never resort to unsavory and acrimonious means to resolve conflict. Through dialogue and a commitment to the common good, we can build a future where everyone benefits.”
The MOU is expected to solidify the synergy between the company and the community, promote operational openness, and ensure that the people of Sahn Malen derive tangible benefits from the agricultural operations on their land.
