Joe Maada Kebbie Wins Malen Paramount Chieftaincy After Decisive Run-Off

Joe Maada Kebbie has been declared the Paramount Chief-elect of Sahn Malen Chiefdom in Pujehun District after securing a decisive win in a closely watched run-off election held on Sunday, 14 June 2026.

According to official results, Kebbie obtained 554 valid votes, defeating Hon. Shaka Musa Sama, who polled 285 votes. A total of 839 valid votes were cast, while 16 ballots were declared void.

The election process, which featured both an initial round and a subsequent run-off, was concluded on the same day after the field of sixteen aspirants failed to produce a clear outright winner in the first round.

In that opening round, Joe Maada Kebbie led with 389 votes, representing 44.15 percent, followed by Hon. Shaka Musa Sama with 217 votes, or 24.63 percent, paving the way for both candidates to advance to the final stage of the contest.

Kebbie, who is the son of the late Paramount Chief Victor Brima Sidie Kebbie III, ultimately emerged victorious in a tightly contested race involving aspirants drawn from various ruling houses within the chiefdom. The broader field included Paul Amadu Sengeh Jr., reportedly a relative of Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh.

The election was conducted in a calm and orderly atmosphere, following a Peace Pledge signed by all sixteen aspirants on 11 June 2026. The initiative was facilitated by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) in collaboration with the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.

Stakeholders have described the process as peaceful, transparent, and credible, noting the absence of major incidents during both rounds of voting.

The outcome brings to a close a competitive traditional leadership contest in one of Pujehun District’s key chiefdoms, ushering in Joe Maada Kebbie as Paramount Chief-elect and marking the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership of Sahn Malen Chiefdom.