Freetown, Sierra Leone – March 3, 2026 – In a swift response to mounting online speculation, the Director of Communications at State House, Myk Berewa, has firmly dismissed rumors regarding President Julius Maada Bio’s whereabouts, assuring the nation that the leader is safely within Sierra Leone and in good health.
Berewa’s statement, issued earlier today, directly addressed the unverified claims that have proliferated on social media.
“Disregard their usual chatter; President Bio is right here in Sierra Leone. Di Pa Well Kain Kain,” Berewa stated, using a colloquial Krio expression that translates to “The Pa (President) is doing very well.”
This marks the first official clarification from the government since the rumors gained traction over the past few days.
The speculation originated from opposition politician Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, the leader and chairman of the left-wing populist Alliance Democratic Party (ADP), who alleged without evidence that President Bio had secretly traveled to Dubai and was unable to return due to escalating military conflicts in the Middle East.
Mansaray, a vocal critic of both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), posted the claim on social media, stating: “Sierra Leone President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio is in Dubai. I just received reliable information that Maada Bio traveled to Dubai secretly and he has been stuck there unable to return due to the U.S.-Israel Vs Iran tension. More information will be made available on this later.”
The allegation quickly spread, amplified by other opposition figures. Former Attorney General Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara questioned the president’s location with a pointed remark: “Like Scooby-Doo, where are you Mr President?” Meanwhile, opposition activist Sylvia Blyden urged the government for transparency, warning that “this silence is bad for our stability.” These comments fueled public anxiety, particularly amid Sierra Leone’s ongoing political divisions, including disputes over the 2023 elections and calls from some quarters for international intervention.
The rumors coincide with a dramatic escalation in the Middle East, where the United States and Israel have launched coordinated strikes against Iran, entering the fourth day of conflict as of today. The attacks, which reportedly killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have prompted Iranian retaliatory strikes on US and allied targets, including energy facilities in the Gulf. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies and causing airspace closures across the region. US President Donald Trump has indicated the campaign could last weeks, with embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait evacuated and warnings issued for Americans to leave over a dozen countries.
Global markets have reacted sharply, with oil prices surging and stock indices tumbling amid fears of broader instability, including intensified fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Despite the global turmoil, official records show President Bio has remained active in diplomatic affairs from within Sierra Leone. On March 2, he held a phone conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemning recent Iranian attacks on Gulf nations. This engagement underscores Bio’s continued involvement in international matters, even as domestic critics question government transparency.
President Bio, who has served since 2018 after a military career that included leading a coup in the 1990s, has faced persistent opposition scrutiny. Recent activities include presiding over the swearing-in of a judicial tribunal in January to investigate a high court judge, amid broader efforts to strengthen governance.
State House has not provided further details on Bio’s schedule but emphasized his well-being and presence in the country.
