State House Director Dismisses Rumors, Confirms President Bio Is in Sierra Leone

The Director of Communications at State House, Myk Berewa, has categorically dismissed swirling rumors about President Julius Maada Bio’s whereabouts, confirming that the Sierra Leonean leader is in the country amid growing public speculation.

“Disregard their usual chatter; President Bio is right here in Sierra Leone,” Berewa wrote in a brief statement, pushing back against unverified claims that have circulated on social media in recent days. “Di Pa Well Kain Kain” — a colloquial expression suggesting the President is doing very well.

The confirmation from State House follows days of intense speculation about President Bio’s location, triggered by opposition figures who alleged he was stranded abroad amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East.

Opposition politician Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray had first claimed without evidence that President Bio traveled secretly to Dubai and was unable to return to Sierra Leone due to heightened tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The allegation was amplified by comments from former Attorney General Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, who demanded transparency, writing, “Like Scooby-Doo, where are you Mr President?”

Opposition figure Sylvia Blyden also weighed in, calling on the government to clarify the president’s location, stating that “this silence is bad for our stability.”

Despite the rumors, official communications indicated President Bio had been engaged diplomatically. According to the Emirates News Agency, President Bio spoke by phone on March 2 with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemning recent Iranian attacks on the Gulf nation.

The speculation occurred against the backdrop of a major regional crisis in the Middle East, with Iranian retaliatory strikes causing damage and casualties across Gulf states.

Berewa’s statement marks the first official confirmation of President Bio’s location since the rumors began. The Government of Sierra Leone and the Office of the President had previously issued no public statement addressing the allegations.