Tikkun Olam vs. One Belt One Road and Drug Lords in Sierra Leone


Can Rapaport's vision of "Tikkun Olam" truly stand up against China's Belt and Road Initiative or the influence of a Dutch drug lord in Sierra Leone? 

In 2017, artisanal miners from a small hamlet discovered a 709-carat diamond, later dubbed the Sierra Leone Peace Diamond. This village and the surrounding area lacked clean water, electricity, schools, health facilities, roads, or bridges.

The Rapaport Group announced that for the first time, millions of dollars from the sale of the Peace Diamond will go toward providing vital infrastructure and improving the lives of some of the poorest people in the world.

On March 12, 2025, the Rapaport Group announced its sixth trade mission to Sierra Leone.


Serving more than 20,000 clients in over 121 countries, the Rapaport Group will lead an international delegation of diamond dealers, jewelers, and industry leaders on an immersive journey from May 4 to May 9, 2025.

This trip aims to provide firsthand exposure to artisanal diamond mining, economic development initiatives, and the realities of the diamond supply chain.

In a press release, Martin Rapaport, chairman of the Rapaport Group, emphasized the mission's deeper purpose:

"There's a reason God gave diamonds to the poorest people in the world and made the richest people want them. Bridging that gap is Tikkun Olam (the Hebrew concept of 'repairing the world')—making the world a better place."


Ezi Rapaport, CEO of Empower Africa, highlighted the significance of global engagement, saying, "Sierra Leone is a country of immense beauty and resilience, where hardworking people are striving to overcome challenges and build a brighter future. It is inspiring to see leaders in the diamond industry flying in worldwide, dedicating their time, resources, and expertise to understand the realities on the ground and contribute to meaningful, lasting change."


In the meantime, Maada Bio, the president of Sierra Leone, continues to protect his daughter's boyfriend, a Dutch drug lord sought for trafficking and murder.


A local newspaper reported that Maada Bio received an Audemars Piguet watch, valued at over $90,000, and covered his recent display of luxury.

After mocking alumni from a rival government school in Freetown for arriving in auto rickshaws, known locally as "kekes," Maada Bio showcased a brand-new 2025 Yangwang U8 SUV over the weekend in Bo, Sierra Leone's second-largest city. 


According to the newspaper, this luxury vehicle, produced by Chinese automaker BYD Auto under its Yangwang brand, is valued at around USD 150,000. Reports suggest that the gift came from Gilbert Zhao, CEO of Leone Rock Metal Group, who left the country shortly after presenting it.

The newspaper noted that many Sierra Leoneans view this as a sign of an uneven playing field in the mining sector, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in business practices. Leone Rock Metal Group was recently featured in Forbes Africa.

In July 2024, Gilbert Zhao, CEO of Leone Rock Metal Group, was summoned by the Parliament of Sierra Leone following allegations of labor rights violations at the company's operations in Tonkolili District.

The Speaker, Hon. Segepoh Thomas, announced the summons amid concerns over media reports accusing the company of mistreating Sierra Leonean workers.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hawa Hunt in custody after she was arrested live on air in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Image
In 2023, Hawa Hunt, a popular musician and social commentator, made a striking statement on camera about Maada Bio, Sierra Leone's controversial president.  In the nearly five-minute video , which went viral on social media, Hawa Hunt spoke in Krio, and we've translated key excerpts of her comments into English:  "The man has big guts! He stood up a week ago when Zainab Sherriff accused him of being a killer. They took her away and locked her up. He’s not my president. I’ve told you that Sierra Leone doesn’t have a president. For the past five years, Sierra Leone hasn’t had a president. I see a small child in a bug's skirt jumping around." In retaliation, Maada Bio ordered Hawa Hunt's arrest while she was participating as a contestant in a reality television show, which was broadcast live . This act drew swift condemnation from many. Human rights lawyer Ady Macauley stated, "Arresting someone on live television is a new low, but it's not surprising. ...
Read more

28 Years Since the Death of Salami Coker

In words that echoed around the world, a commission of inquiry in Sierra Leone held the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) responsible for extrajudicial killings in1992. The junta's attempt to justify these executions retrospectively by decree, on the basis that the 26 people were alleged coup plotters, was an unlawful abuse of executive power, the commission said. In particular, the Commission found that the deputy chairman of the NPRC, Solomon A.J. Musa, was personally responsible for acts of torture on detainees. They called the executions a flagrant violation of international standards.   Among those executed on December 29, 1992, were: Lt. Col James Yaya Kanu, former commanding officer of the 4th Battalion James Bambay Kamara, former Inspector General of Police Corporal Mohammed Mansaray, alias Candapa of the 1st Battalion Warrant Officer Class 1 Kargbo, alias Fernando of the 1st Battalion headquarters Lieutenant colonel (Rtd.) Kahota M.S. Dumbuya, Army Head...
Read more

Ebola: The More We Learn, the More We Realize How Much We Don't Know

Image
Alex Bonapha, chairman, Kailahun District Council O bservers say the controversy erupting in Kailahun over the case of a dead baby might just open up critical questions on the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. "While the child appears to be at the center of this controversy, the real question being raised here is the mode of transmission: Is this virus transmitted or transfused?" asks Chernor Bah, chairman of the African Socialist Movement of Sierra Leone. Bah thinks “we need to listen to Mr. Bonapha's concerns.” A lex Bonapha is chairman of Kailahun District Council. In a tersely worded statement sent out Saturday, Bonapha said: "We are strongly contesting the validity of the one case today in Kailahun.  A young child of 9 months, fell ill and was hospitalised at the Nixon Memorial Hospital in Segbwema. They requested blood transfusion and a donor offered his blood. Eventually the child died and a swab was collected to verify the cause of death. It is this...
Read more