The Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs has ordered Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and all other districts chairpersons and councilors to vacate office, effectively 1 March 2023.

This revelation was made in a letter dated 8 February 2023, and addressed to all Mayors District chairpersons and councilors.

The mayors were asked to step aside under section 137 of the Local Government Act 2022, (ACT NO 26 off 2022).

They were instructed to do a comprehensive handing over of their office to the Chief Administrators accordingly.

The Chief Administrators are directed accordingly to take a full inventory of the council’s assets and finances before the 28th of February 2023.

Read full details of the letter below:

“Addressed to: ALL MAYORS, DISTRICT CHAIRPERSONS, AND COUNCILORS

8th February 2023

Dear Mayors, Chairpersons, and Councilors,

SUBJECT: RE: NOTICE TO STEP ASIDE

I am instructing you under section 137 of the Local Government Act 2022, (ACT NO 26 OF 2022) to vacate the council on the 1st of March instant. You are further instructed to do a comprehensive handing over of your office to the Chief Administrators accordingly. Let me congratulate you at the end of your tenure and convey the Ministry’s appreciation to all  of you for serving your people and contributing to national development in various ways.

Together, we have been able to work collaboratively to enhance governance and service  delivery. I must also inform you that His Excellency, the President has during his ‘Meet the People Tour’ recognized and appreciated the significant role of Local Councils in the  governance architecture at the sub-national level.

To the Mayors and District Chairpersons in their second term, we wish you well and hope that you will continue to serve your country in other capacities moving forward. To those intending to run for office again, the Ministry wishes you all very good luck in the coming elections and will be delighted to work with you again.

The Chief Administrators are directed accordingly to take a full inventory of the council’s assets and finances before the 28th of February instant. The Directorate of Decentralization in my Ministry and the Fiscal Decentralization Directorate in the Ministry of Finance will continue to provide comprehensive monitoring of Council activities whilst providing technical and professional support until such a time when the fourth council is ushered in.

The Ministry operates an open-door policy for any inquiries and or clarifications. Let me thank you once again for your service to the people of this country.”