Musa Alieu Sandy, a prominent Sierra Leonean Athletics coach and FIFA assistant referee, has fled the country, fearing for his life after defying the expectations of the powerful poro secret society.

Sandy, who has officiated in major football competitions including World Cup qualifiers, African Champions League, and CAF Confederation Cup, left Sierra Leone on February 28, 2024, for the World Indoor Championship in the UK as a coach for the Sierra Leone Athletics Association.

The conflict began when Sandy visited his ailing father in their home village of Komende Jong in Bonthe District sometime in February, days before his departure to the UK for the indoor games. His father informed him that upon his passing, Sandy was expected to replace him in the secret society. Initially agreeing out of respect for his father’s wishes, Sandy requested time to return to Freetown to inform his wife and make work arrangements before his initiation.

However, upon returning to Freetown, Sandy departed for the UK on February 28 to fulfill his coaching duties. While abroad, he received news from his wife that his father had passed away, and his uncles were outraged that he had not stayed to fulfill the society’s demands. Realizing the dangers involved in the initiation process and being a devout religious man, Sandy ultimately refused to join the secret society.

Since March 4, Sandy has been unable to contact his wife, who revealed to the referee association that her husband could not return to Sierra Leone due to the society’s threats.

The Poro members have vowed to sacrifice him for disobeying their demands, leaving Sandy in exile, fearing for his life.

This incident underscores the lingering influence of secret societies in Sierra Leone, where declining to follow lineage-based obligations is seen as a grave offense.

Calls for the abolition of such societies remain controversial, as they are deeply ingrained in the cultural and traditional fabric of many African communities. The ordeal has disrupted Sandy’s promising career, forcing him to remain in hiding and away from the football league as it enters its second phase.

As Musa Alieu Sandy’s case continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between tradition and modernity in Sierra Leone, and the personal toll these cultural practices can have on individuals who challenge them.