Africa, Sierra Leone (Journos News) – In Sierra Leone, a series of suspected ritual killings has left families traumatized and communities fearful. BBC Africa Eye investigated the trade in human body parts used in black magic, known locally as juju, revealing a dangerous underground network that preys on vulnerable individuals.

For Sallay Kalokoh, the mother of an 11-year-old boy named Papayo, the pain remains unresolved four years after her son’s murder. Papayo was found in a well, mutilated, with vital organs, one arm, and his eyes removed. The boy had gone to sell fish at the local market and never returned.

“We always tell our children to be careful. If you are selling, don’t go to a corner or take gifts from strangers. It happens frequently in this country,” Ms. Kalokoh said, describing the constant fear in her hometown of Makeni.

Ritual Killings and Law Enforcement Challenges

Ritual killings occur when parts of a human body are used to create charms or potions believed to bring prosperity, power, or political influence. Authorities face significant obstacles in investigating such crimes. Sierra Leone has a population of approximately 8.9 million but only one pathologist, making it extremely difficult to collect forensic evidence.

Cultural beliefs in witchcraft are deeply rooted, even among law enforcement personnel, which often discourages pursuing these cases. Most ritual killings go unsolved, leaving families without justice.

Investigating the Trade

BBC Africa Eye’s team found individuals claiming to be juju practitioners offering to procure human body parts for rituals. Operating under pseudonyms, these practitioners spoke of extensive networks and clients across West Africa. In a remote part of Kambia district near the Guinean border, one practitioner, known as Kanu, conducted rituals in a secluded bush shrine, claiming political connections and displaying human remains, including a skull.

Kanu reportedly offered to provide limbs for a price of 70 million leones (approximately $3,000). Due to safety concerns, the investigative team did not meet him again but handed evidence to local authorities.

Traditional Healers vs. Criminal Elements

Many practitioners, often referred to as herbalists, are legitimate traditional healers who use plants and mysticism to treat illness, including mental health issues. Sierra Leone had around 1,000 registered doctors in 2022 compared with an estimated 45,000 traditional healers.

Sheku Tarawallie, president of the Council of Traditional Healers, condemned criminal practitioners like Kanu. “We are healers, we are not killers. Those seeking power and money are often behind ritual killings,” he said. Tarawallie collaborates with authorities to open clinics for legitimate patient care and assists police in operations against rogue herbalists.

Undercover Investigations and Police Raids

BBC Africa Eye identified another suspected supplier in Waterloo, a suburb of Freetown, claiming to oversee 250 herbalists involved in obtaining human body parts. Posing as a client, an investigator learned of planned abductions. Police Commissioner Ibrahim Sama organized a raid with the assistance of Tarawallie, resulting in the arrest of the main suspect, Idara, and two associates. They were charged with practising sorcery and possession of ritual-related weapons, though they were later granted bail pending further investigation.

High-profile cases frequently stall. For instance, a university lecturer’s body was found in a shrine in Waterloo in 2021, but legal proceedings remain incomplete.

Ongoing Trauma in Communities

Families continue to struggle with unresolved murders. In May, Fatmata Conteh, a 28-year-old hairdresser and mother of two, was found dead by the roadside in Makeni, with missing front teeth suggesting a ritual killing. Despite a family-funded autopsy, authorities could not confirm the cause of death, and no arrests have been made.

The lack of accountability exacerbates fear in communities, leaving families feeling abandoned by law enforcement. Residents report a climate of terror, particularly in poorer towns where ritual killings appear more prevalent.

Cultural and Societal Context

Sierra Leone is predominantly Muslim or Christian, yet belief in witchcraft remains widespread. Experts note that ritual murders are rarely recorded as a distinct category of homicide in African nations, often misclassified as accidents, animal attacks, suicides, or natural deaths. Estimates suggest up to 90 percent of perpetrators evade justice, further perpetuating the cycle of fear.

Conclusion

Ritual killings in Sierra Leone reflect a complex intersection of superstition, crime, and limited law enforcement resources. While traditional healers provide essential healthcare and spiritual guidance, rogue practitioners exploit deeply held beliefs for profit and influence. Investigations by journalists and collaboration between authorities and responsible healers are critical to addressing this hidden trade and providing justice for victims.

Source: BBC – Hunting down those who kill people to sell their body parts for ‘magic charms’

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The legacy of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes is expanding once again as newly released U.S. Justice Department files shed light on his connections to academics, politicians, global institutions, and members of royalty. The disclosures, mandated by new legislation signed by President Donald Trump, have renewed scrutiny of powerful individuals who interacted with Epstein before and after his 2008 conviction. The revelations are prompting resignations, internal inquiries, and questions about how institutions overlooked his conduct for so long.

The Expanding Human and Political Cost of the Epstein Scandal

Epstein’s crimes left a trail of harm spanning continents. According to the U.S. Justice Department, more than 1,000 victims have been identified, a figure illustrating the scale of exploitation that persisted for years. While Epstein died in jail in 2019, the consequences of his actions continue to reach academics, global politicians, financiers, and members of the British royal family.

Public interest intensified this week after President Trump—who was once friendly with Epstein before a reported falling out in the early to mid-2000s—signed a bill compelling the Justice Department to release large portions of its files. The decision followed political pressure in Congress, including from members of the president’s own party. International media framed the move as a rare public rebuke of Trump within a political landscape marked by polarization.

Although the legislation mandates broad disclosure, some files remain shielded to protect victims and ongoing investigations. Trump has repeatedly stated he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and committed no wrongdoing.

Harvard Confronts Fallout as Summers Faces Career Collapse

Epstein’s Academic Connections Trigger Institutional Accountability

Economist Lawrence Summers—former U.S. treasury secretary, ex-Harvard president, and a prominent public figure—was among the highest-profile names linked to the new disclosures. Emails released this week show that Summers maintained contact with Epstein years after the financier pled guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor. The exchanges included personal discussions in which Epstein referred to himself as Summers’ “wing man.”

The revelations led to immediate consequences. Summers stepped down from advisory and leadership roles at OpenAI, the Center for American Progress, and Yale University’s Budget Lab. Although he initially intended to continue teaching at Harvard, he later withdrew from those duties as well.

Harvard announced its own renewed review, citing previous findings from 2020 that Epstein visited the university’s campus more than 40 times after his plea deal. The institution confirmed he had access to an office and a research center he helped fund. Harvard accepted more than $9 million from him before his conviction and banned donations only afterward.

Summers, 70, previously left his role as Harvard president in 2006 following controversial comments about gender representation in science and math. His current situation, analysts note, may be the most damaging setback of his career.

British Royalty Faces Renewed Pressure Over Andrew’s Connection to Epstein

Mountbatten-Windsor Loses Title, Residence, and Public Standing

The scandal has long shadowed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew. New disclosures reinforce the timeline of his association with Epstein, including interactions after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. The fallout has now cost Andrew his royal title, his home on castle grounds, and his remaining public duties.

Queen Elizabeth II was once viewed as protective of Andrew, long rumored to be her favorite child. However, public pressure mounted after his 2019 BBC interview, widely criticized for its lack of empathy toward victims and implausible explanations regarding his relationship with Epstein.

Central to the controversy is Virginia Giuffre, who said Epstein trafficked her to Andrew when she was 17. A widely circulated photograph showed Andrew with his hand around her waist. Andrew denied wrongdoing and denied recalling the photograph, though he ultimately reached a settlement with Giuffre. She died by suicide earlier this year.

The ongoing scandal has created political and public-relations challenges for King Charles III, who is undergoing cancer treatment and is focused on stabilizing the monarchy for the next generation. He removed Andrew’s title and required him to vacate Royal Lodge, his longtime 30-room residence near Windsor Castle. Andrew has since moved to Sandringham, a more isolated estate.

Political Turmoil in Washington as Trump Battles Questions Over Epstein Files

The President’s Efforts to Contain the Issue Prove Unsuccessful

President Trump’s longstanding attempts to distance himself from Epstein resurfaced sharply when the Justice Department initially announced earlier this year—without warning—that it would halt further releases of Epstein-related files. The decision angered some Trump supporters who viewed disclosure as a campaign promise.

The backlash was swift. MAGA-aligned commentators accused Trump of shielding information, prompting the president to publicly criticize his own base, calling dissenters “stupid people” and “weaklings.” The controversy continued through July, with reporters repeatedly pressing him on his past association with Epstein.

Key political developments—including the end of a record 43-day government shutdown—did not quiet the debate. The issue escalated when congressional Democrats released their own selection of Epstein-related emails, including a claim that Trump “knew about the girls,” which he called a hoax.

Trump denied writing a reported birthday note to Epstein referenced by The Wall Street Journal and responded by filing a $10 billion defamation suit against the publication. He later directed the Justice Department to investigate Democrats tied to Epstein.

The president ultimately reversed course on the files when it became clear that only one Republican was willing to vote against their release. After signing the bill, he insisted the decision was his alone, though the political pressure was evident.

A Growing Crisis of Trust Across Borders and Institutions

Global Entities Continue to Wrestle With Questions of Accountability

The Epstein scandal continues to erode public trust in institutions—universities, governments, financial entities, and media organizations—that had relationships with the disgraced financier. Analysts say the newly released documents mark only the beginning of a new phase of scrutiny.

As additional files surface over the coming weeks, more disclosures are expected to put pressure on leaders and organizations around the world. While Epstein is no longer alive, the consequences of his actions—and the decisions of those who associated with him—are still unfolding.

Source: AP News – The fallout of Epstein’s crimes spans the globe. Here’s a look at some of those paying the cost

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