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The Government of Sierra Leone has officially withdrawn the recognition of Paramount Chief Alimamy Sorie II (Kathenkeh) of Kunike Barina Chiefdom in Tonkolili District, bringing an end to his tenure as Paramount Chief with immediate effect.
The decision was announced in a public notice issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and signed by the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ambassador Tamba J.S. Lamina, on June 19, 2026.
According to the notice, the action follows a longstanding legal dispute surrounding the 2010 Paramount Chieftaincy election in Kunike Barina Chiefdom. The election, conducted on February 14, 2010, resulted in Alimamy Sorie II being declared Paramount Chief-elect.
However, a petition challenging the conduct of the election was subsequently filed, and a judgment delivered on April 16, 2012, annulled both the election and its outcome. The court also restrained Alimamy Sorie II from acting or officiating as Paramount Chief pending the conduct of a fresh election.
The ministry stated that the court had further directed the appointment of a Regent Chief to oversee the administration of the chiefdom in a caretaker capacity until a new Paramount Chief is elected in accordance with the Chieftaincy Act of 2009.
According to the public notice, the government determined that the continued recognition of Alimamy Sorie II was no longer in the best interest of the Kunike Barina Chiefdom.
As part of the directives contained in the notice, the former Paramount Chief has been instructed to relinquish all duties, privileges, and authority associated with the office. He has also been directed to surrender all official insignia, properties, and documents belonging to the chiefdom to the Provincial Secretary.
The ministry further announced that a Regent Chief will assume the administrative and customary responsibilities of the chiefdom pending the conduct of a new Paramount Chieftaincy election within six months.
Despite the withdrawal of his official recognition, the government clarified that Alimamy Sorie II is not barred from contesting the forthcoming election, provided he satisfies all legal and customary requirements.
The notice also informed government institutions, local authorities, and members of the public to take note of the decision and conduct themselves accordingly.
