By Ragan M Conteh

The Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) case involving the traumatic death of two young girls will soon be ruled by a judge.

Details on it have been pouring with those concerned CSOs, victims’ families, and journalists, waiting for the outcome.

The Magistrate Court in Kambia has already received “no case submissions” from the Defence Team about 13 years old Salamatu Jalloh and 17 years old. Kadiatu Bangura,who both died in a Bondo shrine.

The case which started in October this year saw the final closing submissions presented to Magistrate George Samai but had adjourned the case for ruling on 7th August 2024.

“In June we reported how two medical expert witnesses Dr Kalawa and Dr Jalloh told the court that the death of both girls in the Bondo bush was caused by the cutting described as clitoridectomy,” an FGM activist group had said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Type 1 also known as Clitoridectomy is the partial or total removal of the clitoris. The expert medical witnesses during their testimonies gave graphic details of the cause of death for the two young girls, and one of the causes include hemorrhage, also the cutting of the clitoris of the deceased as well as other complications. Both girls were below the ages of 18 years old.

During the proceedings other witnesses gave testimonies on how both victims from Kabailor and Bubuya villages in Kambia District were subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) which caused their untimely deaths.

Following the deaths of the two deceased victims the alleged perpetrators who were accused and charged for murder were arrested and remanded in custody and were awaiting trial.

Magistrate George Samai will give his final ruling on the case on 7th August 2024.

Sierra Leone has signed several international human-rights conventions, which provide a strong basis for the characterization of FGM to be seen as a violation of international human rights, women and girls.

Currently though, there is no law in Sierra Leone that specifically prohibits FGM.

Meanwhile, our reporter spoke to (FAHP), a coalition fighting to end all forms of traditional practices. He was told by FAHP that they would be attending the court for the final verdict on the case.