Hannah Deen, the Chairlady of the Malen Affected Landowners Association (MALOA), shared her experiences and concerns during an interview in Pujehun, where she was born and raised. At 65 years old, she has witnessed the significant changes in her community, particularly since the government of Sierra Leone leased the Malen Chiefdom to SOCFIN on March 5, 2011.
Deen expressed her deep concern for the impact this lease has had on her community. “Pujehun District was once blessed with fertile land and abundant seafood,” she said. “We never lacked local food. But everything changed when the land was leased. Now, we have to travel 45 miles to Kenema or 15 miles to Bo just to buy basic food items like fish and rice. We spend around 100,000 Leones on transportation for these trips.”
The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the SOCFIN palm oil and rubber plantation was conducted by Star Consulting, a local consultancy. The report included promises from SOCFIN’s General Manager, Gerben Haringsma, to construct schools, a hospital, and a network of roads, along with commitments to create job opportunities for 10,000 people, prioritizing local residents. However, Deen contends that these promises have not been fulfilled.
“The promises made in the ESIA report have not materialized,” she noted, highlighting the growing discontent in the community. “SOCFIN has leased 6,500 hectares of agricultural land for 50 years, with an option to renew for an additional 25 years. Yet, the community was never properly consulted, and many feel the lease agreement is illegitimate.”
The original lease was signed by the Paramount Chief, BVS Kebbie, and 28 landowners. Deen recalled how local leaders were pressured to sign documents under the threat of losing their land. A letter from MALOA dated October 2, 2011, detailed these grievances, emphasizing inadequate consultation, lack of transparency, and destruction of livelihoods.
The letter also pointed out that during public meetings, armed police presence intimidated landowners, leading some to reluctantly accept compensation without proper documentation. Many communities have since rejected the compensation, instead choosing to unite under MALOA to fight for their rights.
According to Deen, the land grab has severely affected the livelihoods of local communities. “Smallholders have lost access to land where they cultivated a variety of essential crops and medicinal plants. Now, they depend on food markets, which have become more expensive due to the commercial activities of SOCFIN,” she explained.
Reports indicate that the conversion of land to industrial plantations has drastically reduced food crop production and overall access to diverse food sources. “Communities now consume fewer meals daily, and the quality of life has declined,” Deen asserted.
Despite the grievances raised by MALOA, SOCFIN has continued to acquire more land in the Malen Chiefdom, exacerbating tensions. In response to allegations regarding the lease agreements, SOCFIN claimed that the information was outdated and biased, refusing to address specific questions posed about their operations.As Hannah Deen poignantly stated, “The grabbing of land by SOCFIN has deprived us of our main sources of income and livelihood. We deserve to be heard and respected.” The struggle for justice continues as the people of Pujehun fight for their rights and the restoration of their livelihoods