Paramount Chiefs in the Northern District of Tonkolili have on the 3rd of December 2024 unanimously appointed a new Paramount Chief Member of Parliament that will represent the District in the Well of Parliament.

PC Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III of Sambaia Chiefdom was announced inside the office of the Tonkolili District Officer in Magburaka where over fifteen (15) Chiefs signed the communique marking his endorsement as the new Paramount Chief Member of Parliament of Tonkolili District.

Following the death of PC Alhaji Masakma Kanamanka III of Kholifa Rowalla Chiefdom on November 8th 2024, the PCMP position became vacant.

Before the 2023 general elections, a memorandum of understanding signed by all Regent and Paramount Chiefs in Tonkolili District says the position of PCMP should be rotational. It was also agreed that the Chiefs shouldn’t allow elections that might threaten the existence of Paramount Chiefs who are seen as symbols of peace in their respective communities.

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That communique in 2018 brought in the late Paramount Chief Alhaji Masakma Kanamanka III. After his sudden demise, the Chiefs decided that PC Jalloh should represent them in the well of Parliament and replace the late PC Masakma.

This endorsement means PC Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh will go on unopposed and the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone will not conduct elections since the Paramount Chief will be the only candidate.

Known by many as Musa Bendugu, the new PCMP is a former lawmaker representing Tonkolili District under the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party. Jalloh is considered one of the ruling party’s strongest pillars from Tonkolili in contemporary politics.

Though Tonkolili is believed to be one of the strongholds of the main opposition All People’s Congress party, Jalloh succeeded in winning elections against APC party Candidates.

He later resigned and contested for Paramount Chieftaincy elections in Sambaia Chiefdom and was controversially elected Paramount Chief after defeating nine other candidates.

Among the nineteen Chiefs, ten Paramount Chiefs and five Regent Chief signed the communique marking the endorsement of Jalloh as Tonkolili District next Paramount Chief Member of Parliament. The process was supervised by the District Officer of Tonkolili and the National Council of Paramount Chiefs.