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In a ceremony that blended statutory oversight with customary protocol, Jane Kemah Seiwoh Fawundu was formally declared Paramount Chief of Mano Sakrim Chiefdom on 21 June 2026.
The election, held at S.L.C. Primary School in Mano Gbonjeima, marks a pivotal moment for the chiefdom as it enters a period of leadership transition and community-focused governance.
The declaration of PC Jane Kemah Seiwoh Fawundu carries both symbolic and practical significance for Mano Sakrim. Beyond the immediate outcome, the election underscores the role of traditional institutions in local governance and the ability of customary processes to operate alongside modern electoral oversight. The presence of statutory bodies during the exercise reinforced the legitimacy of the result and demonstrated a commitment to transparent succession.
Voting took place at a single polling centre with three polling stations, where 674 registered Tribal Authorities exercised their franchise. The exercise was jointly overseen by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA), and observed by two Assessor Chiefs appointed under the Chieftaincy Act 2009: PC Fayia S.B. Sovula IV and PC Mustapha J. Massaquoi III. Their presence ensured that customary norms were respected while statutory requirements were fulfilled.
Representatives from the Office of National Security (ONS) and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) provided security throughout the exercise. Officials reported that polling and counting proceeded without major incident, allowing the community to complete the transition in an orderly manner.
Local stakeholders are expected to look to the new Paramount Chief to address community priorities and steward customary institutions in line with contemporary needs.
Key expectations include strengthening local dispute resolution, supporting development initiatives across the chiefdom’s sections Lemon, Masanda Majagbe, Gbomotie, Sitta, Makpomto, Bemba, and Pullie and fostering inclusive engagement with Tribal Authorities and youth leaders.
With the attestation document signed by the Provincial Secretary, the Assessor Chiefs, and the District Election Manager for Pujehun District, the formalities of succession are complete. Attention now turns to the new chief’s priorities, the composition of advisory councils, and how traditional leadership will collaborate with district and national authorities on development and governance matters.
The Mano Sakrim election illustrates how customary leadership and statutory oversight can converge to produce a recognized outcome that balances tradition with modern governance standards. Stakeholders seeking official confirmation or further details are advised to consult the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.
