Annie Yema Conteh, a woman from Magburaka, Sierra Leone, is currently on the run, fearing for her life after being declared wanted by members of the notorious Sowei secret society. The Sowei holds the highest rank within the Bondo society and is responsible for initiating girls into their practices, which include female genital mutilation (FGM).
For generations, the Bondo society has manipulated cultural and spiritual authority over women and girls in the Tonkolili District, where Magburaka is located. This society is both revered and feared, with a history that few dare to question.
Annie was born into a powerful legacy; her late mother, Madam Isatu Conteh, was well-regarded as the Head of the Sowei and held significant traditional authority among the women in the district. From a young age, Annie was groomed to follow in her mother’s footsteps, as it was customary for her to inherit this role upon her mother’s passing. However, after witnessing the painful truths behind the society’s practices, Annie decided to break the cycle.
Following her mother’s death, Annie faced immense pressure from village elders and the Sowei council to step up and fulfill her expected role. She was summoned to “perform that barbaric duty,” but she refused. This refusal led to swift and terrifying repercussions. Traditional leaders and members of the Sowei council threatened to initiate her forcibly, and some family members warned they would disown her if she did not accept her mother’s mantle.
Despite the pressure, Annie firmly refused to comply. She is a devoted Christian and views the Bondo Sowei society as devilish and evil, especially since many young girls face severe physical and psychological repercussions from the initiation rituals, and some do not survive. In a particularly distressing move, the society captured and tied up one of her nieces, claiming she would be Annie’s first initiate. Terrified, Annie recalled the many young girls who have suffered because of these rituals. Fearing she would be forcibly taken for the initiation of her niece, she left her village in northern Sierra Leone.
“I am not safe in my house. I’m not safe in the village,” she said. “I am afraid that one day they will grab me, tie me up, and take me to that place,” referring to the “Bondo” bush, where FGM takes place.
One night, a group of Sokomen (the male initiation group) and Sowei’s raided Annie’s home in search of her. During the raid, the Sokomen burned down a house belonging to someone suspected of hiding her.
Under the cover of darkness, Annie gathered her son and siblings, packed their belongings, and fled Magburaka. They navigated through back roads and forest trails, avoiding checkpoints and informants. To prevent being tracked, Annie destroyed her phone. At times, they found refuge in churches or the homes of strangers, guided by sympathetic aid workers and underground human rights defenders.
Annie’s journey eventually took her westward to Freetown, where she was welcomed by activists, including a female lawyer. Her case not only highlighted her struggles but also drew attention to the broader, often-silenced resistance against harmful traditions.
The manhunt for Annie Yema Conteh is intensifying, as the Sokomen are determined to find her and force her to undergo the Sowei ritual. “As long as she, her son, and siblings live, we will pursue them anywhere in this country. Each of those children, we will go after them,” they declared. A price has been placed on anyone who reveals Annie’s whereabouts.
Currently, Annie’s location is unknown, and sources believe she may be living in an undisclosed country. There is widespread concern for Annie Yema Conteh’s safety, especially if she were to come out of hiding. What might happen if she is captured and taken to one of those Bondo/Sowei shrines? Will she survive?
