The highly influential Lebanese Community whose contribution to the development of Sierra Leone covers many sectors, spheres and endeavors will be electing a new president on June 24th, 2018.

Reports are that the current president, Samir Hassanyeh will not be putting himself up for reelection after serving the community honorably for ten years. It is widely speculated that his deputy, the diamond magnate Hisham Mackie will be elected as his successor. Speaking to one of the local newspapers, Hisham said he will feel honored if his community elects him as its new leader but maintained that he is willing to serve in any capacity.

Hisham born on April 6th, 1969 is a Sierra Leonean businessman of Lebanese extraction. His father, a second generation Sierra Leonean-Lebanese, was among the first diamond dealers licensed by the Sierra Leone government during the early sixties. He is the biggest diamond exporter from Sierra Leone, accounting for 51% of all official diamond exports. Mackie runs H.M Diamond, a company which is said to account for 40% of all diamond exports. Until recently, he was the Consular General for Turkey in Sierra Leone.

Mackie did his secondary education at the famous elite Government Secondary School in Bo popularly known as The Bo School. He graduated in 1986 and went to England where he attended the University of London in 1987. He took a management course at King’s College, University of London. Mackie joined the diamond business in 2002 as an export license holder.