By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Government of Sierra Leone has confirmed ongoing efforts to manage the return of its nationals from the Republic of Guinea following recent operations by Guinean authorities targeting informal settlements and undocumented foreign residents.

In an official press release issued on March 24, 2026, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education stated that Guinean authorities carried out an exercise on March 23, 2026, in the Boulbinet port area of Conakry. The operation reportedly affected several foreign nationals, including Sierra Leoneans, particularly those without valid documentation.

According to the Government, Sierra Leoneans found with proper legal documentation were released, while those without were processed for repatriation. Authorities emphasized that the Government, through its Embassy in Conakry, has engaged Guinean officials to ensure that the process is conducted in an orderly and humane manner, with full respect for the rights and dignity of Sierra Leonean citizens.

Officials from both Sierra Leone and Guinea are currently coordinating at designated border points to facilitate the return process. Sierra Leonean authorities are receiving deportees, conducting screening and documentation procedures, and arranging for their safe and dignified reintegration into their respective communities.

As of March 24, 2026, a total of 942 Sierra Leoneans, including women and children, had been received at the Kambia border. Authorities noted that onward arrangements are ongoing to support the returnees.

The Government has urged the public to remain calm and rely on verified information from official channels, while reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of its citizens and maintaining diplomatic engagement with Guinea.

However, reports from multiple sources indicate that more than 500 Sierra Leoneans were initially stranded at the Pamlap border crossing following the deportation exercise, raising humanitarian concerns.

Witnesses and deportees describe the operation as a coordinated crackdown across several communities in Guinea. Some individuals were reportedly accused of contributing to urban disorder, while others were labeled as unemployed. The exercise is said to have caused widespread panic, with women, children, and elderly persons among those affected.

Several deportees alleged that they were forcibly removed from their homes, with personal belongings such as money and mobile phones confiscated. Others claimed that security forces used tear gas during the operation and subjected some individuals to harassment and physical abuse.

“We were simply living our lives and working small jobs to survive, but we were treated like criminals,” one deportee recounted.

Returnees are currently being processed at the Pebu Military Barracks in Kambia District, where authorities are undertaking line listing ahead of their redistribution across the country. Local officials are also providing emergency support, including transportation and basic assistance.

The development comes just days after a high-level tripartite meeting involving Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia in Conakry aimed at easing border tensions within the Mano River Union. The timing of the deportations has raised concerns among observers about the fragility of recent diplomatic engagements.

In a related development, Member of Parliament for Kailahun District, Hon. Ing. Fallah Tengbeh, confirmed that Guinea has agreed to withdraw its troops from the disputed Yenga area as part of a peace agreement reached during the summit. The agreement, signed alongside President Julius Maada Bio and Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has been described as a significant step toward resolving longstanding border disputes.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Abdul Kargbo has described the situation as deeply troubling, citing allegations of mistreatment of Sierra Leoneans and calling for a firm and coordinated national response.

Humanitarian stakeholders have also called on both governments to ensure due process, uphold human rights standards, and provide urgent assistance to those affected.

As the situation continues to unfold, the absence of detailed official explanations from both sides leaves many questions unanswered, while hundreds of Sierra Leoneans remain in uncertainty awaiting safe return and reintegration. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/deportation-shock-over-900-sierra-leoneans-rounded-up-and-forced-out-of-guinea/