Former Chairman of the Alliance Democratic Party, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, has publicly shared a photo of Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, wearing a wristwatch allegedly worth seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000).

A reference image of the watch was posted alongside the president’s photo. The watch in the reference image is labeled as the “50 Anniversary Rose Gold Green Dial 41mm,” with a listed market price of US 72, 559.

The alleged value of the president’s watch, stated in dollars, is equivalent to over one million five hundred thousand New Leones (NLe 1,500,000).

Reacting to the post, Mohamed K. Mansaray, the former chairman of the Alliance Democratic Party, stated:

“Julius Maada Bio splashed a whopping $72,559—equivalent to over 1.5 billion Old Leones—on a gold wristwatch, at a time when the average Sierra Leonean cannot afford even one decent meal a day.”

He continued: “This man is heartless, cold-blooded, ruthless, and inconsiderate, to say the least. What a shame! May God heal Sierra Leone.”

The alleged post has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Sierra Leoneans expressing outrage. Some have questioned the government’s leadership, while others have connected the situation to the country’s struggling economy.

One concerned citizen strongly reacted: “How will the country’s economy grow? They only care for themselves. Instead of using that 1.5 billion to improve electricity supply, they prefer to misuse it this way.”

The comment highlighted underlying issues in the electricity sector, fuel prices, and transportation costs.

Another reaction read: “Mohamed K. Mansaray, when will Sierra Leone have a God-fearing president who can transform the lives of its citizens?”

The user further lamented that despite having a population of just eight million people and abundant natural resources, Sierra Leoneans continue to suffer.