By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter, D.S
On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Sierra Leone Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, successfully repatriated 47 Sierra Leoneans who had been deported from Mauritania. The individuals, primarily women and children, were initially sent to the Senegal border by Mauritanian authorities before making their way to the embassy.
Upon their arrival, the embassy provided shelter under strenuous conditions. Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Senegal, HE Ibrahim Turay, addressed the deportees, outlining the diplomatic efforts made to secure their safe return. Alongside the Acting Head of Chancery, Ms. Evelyn T. Akakpo, he engaged both the Embassy of Mauritania in Dakar and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address the situation. The ambassador noted that the Sierra Leonean Consulate in Mauritania reported that the deportation was due to the absence of valid visas and residential permits for many individuals. While some cases were being processed for renewal, the embassy decided to hire a bus to ensure the safe return of the deportees to Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Turay emphasized the importance of adhering to immigration policies and urged Sierra Leoneans to be cautious of individuals who mislead them with false employment opportunities. He confirmed that the embassy is aware of certain individuals involved in human trafficking and will collaborate with authorities to seek prosecution. As the deportees prepare to return home, the ambassador encouraged them to take advantage of the government’s free education initiatives for their children and to engage in meaningful activities to rebuild their lives.
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