By Brima Sannoh
In just two days, one of Sierra Leone’s most closely watched traditional elections will reach its climax as 932 Traditional Authorities (Chiefdom Councilors) head to the polls on Sunday, June 14, 2026, to elect the next Paramount Chief of Malen Chiefdom.
Sixteen aspirants drawn from seven ruling houses — Oniel, Bakundu, Sengova, Kortu, Kebbie, Kai-Magbie and Sengeh — are competing for the single most powerful traditional office in the chiefdom, setting the stage for what many believe will be one of the fiercest and most unpredictable Paramount Chieftaincy elections in its recent history.
The road to Sunday’s vote began on June 4, when history was made at the Main Court Barray in Sahn Malen. In front of thousands of spectators and all 932 Chiefdom Councilors, every aspirant successfully defended their right to contest during what many described as the most peaceful declaration of rights ever witnessed in Pujehun District. Remarkably, none of the 16 hopefuls was disqualified, leaving the race completely open.
Political Temperature
Since then, the political temperature has steadily risen
Across Malen Chiefdom, campaign activities intensified as candidates and their supporters make a final push for the votes that matter. Communities were alive with campaign meetings, strategic consultations and behind-the-scenes negotiations. Reports of possible alliances and last-minute political calculations have become the dominant topic of discussion across the chiefdom, with many believing that strategic partnerships could ultimately determine who emerges victorious.
One of the most fascinating dimensions of this election is the battle between continuity and change. The Kebbie ruling house, whose descendants have occupied the Paramount Chieftaincy for well over a century, is determined to retain the throne. But mounting a determined challenge are the Sengeh and Kai-Magbie ruling houses, neither of which has produced a Paramount Chief since 1900. For their supporters, Sunday’s election represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reclaim traditional leadership after more than 100 years out of power.
That historic rivalry has added even greater significance to an already fiercely contested race. Many residents see this election as more than a contest between 16 candidates; they see it as a defining moment that could either preserve more than a century of leadership by one ruling house or usher in a new chapter in Malen’s history.
The stakes could hardly be higher
Several of the contenders are regarded as highly influential personalities with strong political, traditional and financial backing. Among them is the current Member of Parliament, Honourable Shiaka Musa Sama Kai-Magbie, whose candidature has attracted widespread attention across and beyond Malen Chiefdom. Other aspirants are equally respected and financially capable, making it increasingly difficult for political observers to predict who will eventually secure the support of the Chiefdom Councilors.
Despite the intense competition, the atmosphere across the chiefdom has remained relatively peaceful—a development that has been widely praised by residents, traditional leaders and security authorities. Many are hopeful that the calm witnessed during the historic declaration of rights on June 4 will continue through polling day, allowing the election to become a shining example of peaceful traditional governance in Sierra Leone.
Ahead of Sunday’s vote, a consortium of civil society organizations, including Land for Life, has called on all stakeholders to ensure that the election is peaceful, free, fair, credible and transparent. In a press statement issued earlier this week, the organizations emphasized that the will of the 932 Traditional Authorities must be allowed to prevail at the ballot box without intimidation, manipulation or undue influence.
The CSO consortium also warned against political interference in the electoral process and expressed concern over the alleged use of state resources by certain individuals to influence the outcome of the election. The organizations urged candidates, their supporters, government officials and security agencies to uphold the integrity of the process and ensure that the election strengthens, rather than undermines, traditional governance in Malen Chiefdom.
Unlike national elections, however, the future of Malen Chiefdom will not be decided by tens of thousands of residents. Instead, the responsibility rests solely with 932 Traditional Authorities, also known as Chiefdom Councilors, whose votes will determine who succeeds the late Paramount Chief Brima Victor Siddie Kebbie.
Chief Kebbie’s reign remains one of the most remarkable in the history of Malen Chiefdom. He ascended to the Paramount Chieftaincy in October 1980 while still a young student at Bo School, and went on to lead the chiefdom for more than four decades until his passing on August 14, 2023. His leadership spanned periods of profound political, social and economic change in Sierra Leone, making Sunday’s election not only a contest to choose a new Paramount Chief but also the selection of the leader who will inherit the legacy of one of Malen’s longest-serving and most influential traditional rulers.
As Sunday draws closer, anticipation continues to build. Every campaign visit, every endorsement, every alliance and every private negotiation could prove decisive in a contest where 16 determined aspirants are chasing a single throne.
By this time on Sunday, Malen Chiefdom will have written a new chapter in its rich history. Whether the Kebbie dynasty extends its century-long reign or one of the other ruling houses finally returns to power after generations in waiting, the decision now rests in the hands of 932 Chiefdom Councillors, whose votes will shape the future of Malen for years to come.
