Published: 13 December 2025
By: Ishmael Santigie Kargbo
The Organization of Sierra Leoneans in Sweden (ORSLIS) has ushered in a new chapter of leadership following its Annual General Elections held on 14 September 2025. In a historic outcome, members elected Mrs. Aminata Turay as the organization’s second female Chairperson in its 21 years of uninterrupted service to the community.
A New Era of Leadership
Mrs. Turay brings a wealth of experience and long-standing dedication to community service. A professional in the health sector, she played an active role in mobilizing resources during the Ebola outbreak response in Sierra Leone. Within ORSLIS, she has previously served as Deputy Secretary and later as Secretary General, gaining deep institutional knowledge and hands-on experience in managing the organization’s affairs.
She won the closely contested election by a margin of three votes, campaigning under the unifying slogan “Community Interest.” Her victory signals renewed commitment, fresh energy, and continuity in strengthening the achievements of previous administrations.
A Competitive but Democratic Process
The 2025 elections were among the most competitive in the organization’s history. Despite a tense campaign period marked by polarized rhetoric and challenges to unity, the electoral process itself was conducted with integrity, transparency, and fairness, reflecting Sweden’s democratic values and ORSLIS’ core principles of non-alignment to politics, ethnicity, and religion.
An independent Electoral Board (EB) comprising three members, supported by an observer and two respected community clerics, oversaw the entire process. To ensure credibility and trust, the voting system employed secure personal voter ID codes linked to each eligible member’s registered telephone number.
Votes were openly tallied, signed by all EB members to prevent duplication, and designed to allow cross-checking via individual voter receipts. The live-streamed counting of results further reinforced transparency and enabled broad community participation.
Official Certification and Celebration
Mrs. Turay and members of the newly elected Executive formally received their victory certificates during the organization’s End of Year Party on 6 December 2025, marking the official commencement of their tenure.
ORSLIS looks forward to working under the leadership of the new Chairperson and Executive as the organization continues to promote unity, support, and development within the Sierra Leonean community in Sweden.
Photo credit: Afrocommunity Magazine
