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Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh on Thursday, January 15, 2026, convened key stakeholders to discuss critical reforms in chieftaincy governance and local administration, including de-amalgamation of chiefdoms, prolonged regent chieftaincy, court cases, redistricting, and capacity building.
In his opening remarks, Sengeh emphasized the national importance of chieftaincy and local governance, noting that these issues are frequently discussed in National Security Council meetings and presidential briefings.
He highlighted tensions arising from recent de-amalgamation processes, particularly disputes over land ownership, boundaries, and relations among neighbouring paramount chiefs. Sengeh called for dialogue-based solutions and clearer procedures to address prolonged regent chieftaincy and chieftaincy-related court cases, stressing the custodial role of paramount chiefs over land, culture, and community life.
Speaking on behalf of traditional leaders, the Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, P.C. Fasuluku Sonsiamas III, welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to peaceful collaboration with Government in resolving chieftaincy challenges and strengthening traditional governance.
The meeting included a presentation by the Director of Local Government, Brima Newman Combey, who outlined the Government’s Redistricting Exercise as a key component of the decentralization and governance reform agenda. He explained that Cabinet has approved the redrawing of district and chiefdom boundaries, the creation of new localities in the Western Area, continued chiefdom de-amalgamation, and a nationwide consultative process, culminating in a comprehensive Redistricting Report.
Key outcomes from the engagement include the establishment of five new local councils in the Western Area and the creation of Kpanguima and Bandajuma Districts. These measures are aimed at improving service delivery, governance reach, representation, and development coordination in underserved areas.
The engagement reinforces peace, effective traditional governance, and decentralization, directly supporting the Big Five Game Changers by enhancing local governance and strengthening service delivery across Sierra Leone.
