By Ibrahim Sesay

Amid growing concerns over the possibility of a US travel ban on Sierra Leoneans, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Kabba, has clarified that no visa restrictions have been imposed on Sierra Leone. Speaking during the Good Morning Salone program on Radio Democracy on March 19, 2025, the Minister dismissed reports circulating in the media, notably in The New York Times, which suggested that Sierra Leone was among 43 countries facing potential visa restrictions.

Alhaji Timothy Kabba emphasized that neither the US State Department’s official website nor any formal communication from the US Government has indicated that Sierra Leone is on a list of countries under visa restrictions. He further assured the public, stating that following a discussion with US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Bryan David Hunt, it was confirmed that the document circulating online was not from the US State Department.

“We have not seen such an indication from the US Government and there is no listing of Sierra Leone under visa restriction on the State Department's website. After speaking with Ambassador Hunt, it was confirmed that the document in question did not originate from the State Department,” Alhaji Timothy Kabba reiterated.

The Minister acknowledged that there had been some concerns from the US Government regarding Sierra Leoneans overstaying their visas, particularly those with tourist and visitor visas. However, Alhaji Timothy Kabba reassured the public that US consular services in Sierra Leone were being carried out as usual, with visas being issued to deserving applicants.

He also provided an update on Sierra Leone's diplomatic relations, stating that the country continues to maintain strong bilateral ties with its global partners. “We have 27 embassies across the world and they are functioning quite well. In the last three years, we have opened four new embassies; in France, Ireland, Qatar and Algeria, efforts aimed at protecting our country’s interests and promoting our image globally,” he added.

Addressing another issue, the Minister refuted allegations that Sierra Leone is a hub for drug activities, noting that none of Sierra Leone’s international partners have labeled the country as such. He urged Sierra Leoneans to focus on promoting the nation's positive image to attract foreign investment.

In response to the recent drug incident involving Sierra Leone’s former Ambassador to Guinea, Alhaji Timothy Kabba confirmed that Guinean authorities impounded an embassy vehicle that was allegedly transporting drugs. He explained that while there was some resistance regarding the Ambassador's return to Sierra Leone, international law did not permit his arrest due to the nature of the offense.

“The substance was not found in the Ambassador's diplomatic vehicle, and the Ambassador was not present in the vehicle. Under the Vienna Convention of 1962, the Ambassador enjoyed diplomatic immunity, so we decided to recall him for further clarification,” Alhaji Timothy Kabba explained.

He also updated the public on President John Dramani Mahama’s recent visit to Sierra Leone, describing it as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation. “President Mahama's visit was aimed at expressing gratitude to President Bio for the excellent relations between the two countries and discussing the establishment of a permanent joint cooperation commission,” the Minister noted.

Regarding the ongoing issue with the Dutch Government and the case involving Jos Leijdekkers, Alhaji Timothy Kabba emphasized that Sierra Leone has a positive relationship with the Netherlands. He confirmed that a formal request for extradition had been received from the Dutch Government and was being reviewed by Sierra Leone’s Attorney General in accordance with the Extradition Act of 1974.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Bryan David Hunt during the AYV’s Wake Up Sierra Leone program on March 20, 2025, clarified that the reports of a visa ban on Sierra Leone were false. “What I can say definitively is that there is no visa ban in place for Sierra Leone or any other country,” Bryan David Hunt said. He explained that while there had been concerns about visa overstays and illegal immigration, the US Embassy in Freetown continues to process visas for qualified applicants.

The Ambassador did acknowledge that about 15% of Sierra Leoneans with tourist and business visas had overstayed and approximately 35% of student visa holders had remained in the United States illegally. He emphasized the need for this situation to change.

The ongoing concerns over potential US visa restrictions gained traction after a report by The New York Times placed Sierra Leone in the “orange tier” of countries, signaling potential limitations on visas. This sparked fears that the country might face a travel ban, with some speculating that it was linked to narcotics-related issues or broader immigration restrictions from the Trump administration.

Ambassador Hunt and Minister Kabba met on March 17, 2025, to address these concerns, with the discussion also covering key bilateral issues. While the meeting’s official purpose was to introduce the new Peace Corps Director, Tim Miller, both parties reportedly discussed the visa concerns in detail. The US Embassy confirmed that the meeting aimed to reinforce US-Sierra Leone cooperation, but the visa issue remained a central topic.

As the situation continues to unfold, both the Sierra Leonean Government and the US Embassy have urged the public to rely on official sources for information, urging against the spread of unverified claims.