An unconventional wedding in Waterloo’s New London community has drawn swift attention from police and sparked debate over the legality of same-sex unions in Sierra Leone.
On Friday afternoon, residents of Mango Farm reported that two women, identified as Massah Mansaray and Jannet, exchanged vows in what witnesses described as a marriage ceremony.
The unusual event, which began around 4:00 p.m., attracted curious onlookers and quickly spread by word of mouth across the neighborhood.
Concerned residents alerted the authorities, and officers from the Corner Kick Police Postarrived to escort the pair for questioning.
Police confirmed that an investigation is underway but did not disclose whether any formal charges would be filed.
While Sierra Leone’s laws criminalize same-sex sexual activity between men under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, there is no statute directly addressing sexual relationships between women. At the same time, the country does not recognize same-sex marriage or partnerships, leaving Friday’s ceremony in legal limbo.
For many residents, however, legality mattered less than shock. “We didn’t know what to make of it,” one witness said. “This is something unheard of in our community.”
Police have yet to clarify which laws, if any, may apply to the case. Legal experts note that enforcement often relies on broad interpretations of public order or morality provisions, especially when communities raise complaints.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between traditional social norms and evolving conversations about sexuality and rights in Sierra Leone. For now, the fate of Massah Mansaray and Jannet rests with investigators, as residents of Waterloo await the outcome of a case that has already stirred national attention.
That’s total nonsense