By Dr. Fatima Babih
As a Sierra Leonean, I cringed hearing a Nigerian YouTuber, True Crime Daniel, report on the murder of Sia Kamara by her boyfriend, Abdul Kpaka!
It’s disheartening to admit that everything he said about the state of justice for women in Sierra Leone is painfully accurate. Daniel’s observations shed light on a reality that all Sierra Leoneans must confront: the lack of justice for female victims of violence. Even more troubling is that this well-known fact within the country is now recognized by others across Africa and internationally.
Daniel’s analysis exposes the horrifying truth that crimes against girls and women in Sierra Leone, including rape and murder, have risen because the men who commit these acts are aware that they will likely evade punishment. The culture of impunity has allowed violence against women to persist with minimal consequences.
His report is not just a condemnation of Abdul Kpaka, who brutally took Sia’s life, but an indictment of both the Sierra Leonean government and society as a whole for tolerating such appalling acts of gender-based violence.
This is a moment that calls for urgent reflection and action. We must demand justice not just for Sia Kamara but also for Iyeba Sanda Barrie and countless other women who have been silenced by violence. The pattern of injustice and the rampant, unchecked crimes against women have made Sierra Leone one of the worst places in Africa to be female today.
The murder of Sia Kamara is now a trending topic across Sierra Leone’s social media, with many citizens calling for justice. These protests must continue, as they reflect the frustration and anger of people who have long seen women fall victim to heinous crimes, only for the perpetrators to walk free. As observed by True Crime Daniel, every time a crime against a woman occurs in Sierra Leone, justice seems elusive, especially when the offender is wealthy and influential.
Abdul Kpaka’s hiring of over 18 lawyers to defend himself raises serious concerns that justice may be lost yet again.
True Crime Daniel’s report also highlights the manipulation of the legal system in favor of perpetrators, especially those with financial means. He pointed to the grim reality that if you want to get away with murder, it seems all you need to do is commit the crime in Sierra Leone, as time and again, we’ve seen autopsy reports mysteriously absolve perpetrators, allowing them to escape accountability.
Now, as protests online and on the streets of Freetown unfold, it’s vital that we, the people of Sierra Leone, remain united and persistent in demanding justice for Sia Kamara and other victims. The world is watching, and so should we.
This case is yet another test of Sierra Leone’s judicial system, which has repeatedly failed women and girls. The government and people of Sierra Leone must take responsibility and ensure that justice is served this time—not just for Sia but for every woman whose star has been extinguished by violence.
We must not let Sia and Iyeba’s deaths be another statistic. It’s time for action. It’s time for justice for girls and women in Sierra Leone!
#JusticeForSiaKamara
#JusticeForIyebaSandaBarrie
#JusticeForSierraLeoneGirlsAndWomen
Click on the link below to watch the referenced video.
MAMA SALONE ~ Lioness of the West Coast 