AYV News, March 5, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has assured the public that the Government remains transparent and accountable in the management of Sierra Leone’s petroleum sector amid global uncertainty triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Addressing public concerns, Minister Bah emphasized that the administration of President Julius Maada Bio has undertaken significant reforms in the downstream petroleum sector. He noted that the number of licensed market players has expanded from two to ten, strengthening competition and improving supply stability.
According to him, the sector has also witnessed increased national storage capacity and the implementation of a transparent fuel pricing formula designed to ensure fairness and predictability in pump prices.
“We remain transparent and honest in managing the petroleum sector,” Bah stated, adding that government remains committed to protecting consumers while maintaining sector efficiency.
Update on Middle East Conflict
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, provided an update on the evolving security situation in the Middle East and its impact on Sierra Leoneans residing in the Gulf region.
He referenced President Bio’s recent statement in his capacity as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in which the President called for de-escalation, restraint, and strict adherence to the United Nations Charter and international law. The President also urged renewed diplomatic engagement through international and regional mechanisms to bring the crisis to a peaceful resolution, noting that ECOWAS’s position aligns with that of the African Union.
Minister Kabba further disclosed that Sierra Leone has successfully evacuated 24 nationals and embassy staff from the Iran to the Armenia as a precautionary measure. The evacuees include 14 students, one private citizen, three Sierra Leonean diplomats, and six locally recruited staff of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran.
He assured the public that the Ministry continues to closely monitor developments across the Gulf region and remains in active communication with Sierra Leone’s diplomatic missions to ensure the safety and welfare of citizens abroad.
Government officials reiterated that safeguarding national interests at home and protecting citizens overseas remain top priorities during the ongoing global tensions.
