Allege Same-Sex Threat…..Mohamed Osman Conteh Run for His Life

Mohamed Osman Conteh, a 23-year-old Sierra Leonean from Royark Section, Mambolo Chiefdom, Kambia District, fled his home country in September 2024 due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on his sexual orientation. His claim for international protection is grounded in the systematic discrimination, criminalization, and violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Sierra Leone, where same-sex sexual acts remain punishable by life imprisonment under colonial-era legislation.

Mr. Conteh was raised in a region characterized by strong adherence to traditional and religious values, where conformity to heteronormative expectations is strictly enforced.

In 2017, seeking better educational opportunities, Mohamed relocated to Freetown to continue his senior secondary education. He initially resided in Big Wharf, an informal coastal settlement, living with his aunt, a single parent who relied heavily on petty trading to support her five children and the added responsibility of caring for Mohamed.

A source told this press that during his formative years in Big Wharf, Conteh experienced sexual exploitation at the hands of an older male figure he refers to as “Uncle John.” “The individual used gifts and grooming tactic to establish trust before sexually abusing him. The grooming process involved providing food and gifts, creating a false sense of security, and then manipulating Mohamed into sexual activity,” the source said.

This medium gathered that the above experience occurred at a developmental stage when Mohamed was particularly vulnerable, lacking the protective presence of parents and residing in an environment where adults held significant authority over him. The psychological impact of this abuse was profound, but equally significant was the social context in which it occurred. The abusive relationship with Uncle John introduced Mohamed to same-sex sexual experiences at a vulnerable age. When Uncle John subsequently left the community, Mohamed found himself isolated and without the person who had provided him with a distorted sense of companionship. However, he had already begun to recognize his attraction to males, a realization that would have severe social consequences in the highly conservative environment of Big Wharf.

Mohamed’s growing awareness of his same-sex attraction manifested in behaviors that were noticed by his peers’ parents, who began to express disapproval. This social rejection culminated in ostracism within the community, as the parents of his male friends actively discouraged their children from associating with him. His attempt to maintain a relationship with his schoolmate, one Ahmed initially seemed to provide comfort and mutual understanding, but the relationship soon attracted the attention of Ahmed’s family, who held strong Muslim values and considered homosexuality fundamentally incompatible with their religious beliefs.

Mohamed’s relationship with Ahmed represented a consensual same-sex partnership, but it operated in a context of profound social hostility. Ahmed, like Mohamed, was aware that their relationship would be unacceptable to their families and communities. When Ahmed’s family became suspicious of the relationship, they issued strong warnings for the two to desist. The family’s stance reflected the broader societal view that same-sex relationships constitute a violation of both religious and cultural norms.

Investigation carried out by this medium discovered that by early 2021, the pressure from both families had escalated significantly, creating an untenable situation for both young men. In response to the growing persecution, Mohamed and Ahmed made the decision to relocate to Thunder Hill, Kissy, in the eastern part of Freetown. This area had become known as a haven for LGBTQ+ individuals in Sierra Leone, providing a rare refuge where members of the community could find acceptance and support from others who shared similar experiences. However, even this relative haven proved temporary.

Furthermore, the situation became critically dangerous in early 2024 when Ahmed’s family, still unwilling to accept their son’s relationship, formally reported Mohamed to the police for involvement in a practice that they considered contrary to both religious teachings and traditional values. The filing of a police complaint represented a significant escalation, as it moved the persecution from informal social pressure to the realm of formal legal action.

Mohamed was invited by the police to respond to the complaint, but he did not appear, fully aware of the implications of doing so. The criminalization of homosexuality under Sierra Leone’s Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 means that even suspected involvement in same-sex activity carries severe penalties, theoretically including life imprisonment. While the law is rarely enforced, the threat of prosecution remains real, providing a mechanism through which families and communities can exercise control over individuals perceived as violating sexual norms.

Following Mohamed’s failure to respond to the police invitation, law enforcement began actively searching for him. The escalation from invitation to search demonstrated that the authorities took the complaint seriously and were prepared to pursue Mohamed through formal legal channels. His aunt, recognizing the imminent danger, advised him to leave the country immediately. This advice reflected an understanding that remaining in Sierra Leone would likely lead to arrest, prosecution, and potentially life imprisonment.

In September 2024, Mohamed left Sierra Leone, traveling first to Guinea and subsequently settling briefly in Gambia. His travel was precipitated by the clear and present danger he faced in Sierra Leone, where the combination of legal criminalization, community hostility, and active police pursuit created an impossible situation. The decision to leave his home country was not made lightly; it represented the culmination of years of escalating persecution, social exclusion, and ultimately, a direct threat to his liberty and safety.

Mohamed’s arrival in Gambia represents a temporary respite, but it does not provide the permanent safety that he requires.

The availability of Gambia as a transit point highlights the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in West Africa, where few countries offer meaningful protection for sexual minorities. The Gambia itself maintains restrictive laws regarding same-sex relationships, meaning that Mohamed remains at risk even in his country of temporary refuge. His need for international protection is therefore not only urgent but also requires consideration of a durable solution in a country that respects the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The legal environment is reinforced by profound societal hostility toward LGBTQ+ individuals. Both Christian and Islamic communities in Sierra Leone, which together represent the overwhelming majority of the population, maintain strongly conservative positions on matters of sexuality. Same-sex relationships are generally considered unacceptable, and individuals suspected of involvement in such relationships face widespread discrimination, social exclusion, and violence.

The natural history of Mohamed’s relationship with Ahmed, his flight from his home community, and his eventual departure from Sierra Leone all align with the documented experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing persecution in the country.

Mohamed Osman Conteh’s case illustrates the severe and systematic persecution faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Sierra Leone. His experiences of sexual exploitation, social ostracism, community violence, family rejection, and criminal prosecution represent a pattern of persecution that has deep historical roots and continues to operate through legal, social, and institutional mechanisms.