Following the a bitter feud that erupted between First Lady of Sierra Leone Fatima Bio and Koidu Holdings, a major diamond mining company in the resource-rich Kono district, with accusations of worker exploitation and attempts to silence critics. The First Lady has publicly released a scathing video detailing her interactions with the company, following her decision to pursue legal action against them for alleged defamation.

Koidu holding is enshrined in Octea Mining. Octea Mining is ultimately owned by a complex web of companies, with its immediate parent company being BSGR. BSGR is, in turn, owned by various foundations in Liechtenstein and Switzerland, including Nysco and Balda. BSG Resources, which filed for bankruptcy in 2019 in its home jurisdiction of Guernsey, is also part of this complex structure, and was founded by Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz. The company sought recognition of this foreign main proceeding in the U.S. through a Chapter 15 petition in the Southern District of New York. BSG Resources took over the Koidu mine in 2007-08 and the corporate structure included Koidu Holdings, Koidu Ltd., Octea Mining, and other related companies. 

At the heart of the dispute between Koidu Holdings and the First Lady are claims of worker mistreatment and unfair labor practices. Dr. Fatima Bio, who hails from Kono, alleges that Koidu Holdings has consistently disregarded the rights of its employees, leading to widespread discontent and strikes.

"The situation was nauseating," Dr. Bio stated in her video, detailing negotiations she undertook with the company after initial talks with the Chief Minister faltered. She claims that workers were being paid based on a severely outdated exchange rate of 6.50 Leones to the US dollar, a figure from 2013, far below the current market rate. This discrepancy, she asserts, fueled worker unrest and strikes.

Further allegations include:

Maltreatment and Neglect:

Workers have reported a pattern of maltreatment, denied benefits, and inadequate medical care, particularly following workplace accidents. The lack of sanitary facilities and safe drinking water were among key complaints put forward by employees.

Retaliation:

One employee was allegedly sent to South Africa and never allowed to return after advocating for salary payments based on current dollar rates. The first lady detailed email correspondences to validate her claims.

Strike Intervention:

Dr. Bio claims she personally intervened to prevent potentially destructive strikes, hosting protesting workers at her Kono residence there by protecting key infrastructures of Koidu holding from destruction should protesters have entered the mining area.

Rice Provision:

She pushed for Koidu Holdings to provide monthly 50kg bags of rice to employees, a practice she said other mining companies in the area were doing, which they did agree to.

Conflict of Interest:

She reports the owner of Koidou Holdings raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest among the company's accountants, who he claimed were related.

Legal Threats and Intimidation:

Koidu holdings have replied to the first lady by threatening legal action, and inferring that they had sent journalist to investigate her, and that they had found that she had amassed wealth through proxies according to projections made by the first lady on unfolding events.

Leaked Audio and Political Influence:

A leaked audio recording referenced by the First Lady, allegedly reveals the lead of Koidu Holdings demanding that the Chief Minister dismisses the Minister of Mines, using derogatory language. This has raised serious questions about the company's perceived influence within the government.

The accusations have ignited public outrage, with many questioning the power dynamics between foreign mining companies and the Sierra Leonean government. The leaked audio, in particular, has fueled speculation about the company's perceived ability to dictate government policy.

Koidu Holdings, in response, has threatened legal action against the First Lady, alleging defamation and claiming that her actions have damaged the company's reputation. The Anti-Corruption Commission has also released statements clarifying their investigations into Koidu Holdings, correcting what they say are innacurate statements made by the mining company.

As the legal battle unfolds, the spotlight remains firmly on the treatment of workers in Sierra Leone's lucrative mining sector and the delicate balance of power between foreign investors and the nation's leadership. This case has the potential to set a significant precedent for labor rights and corporate accountability in the region.