Ishmael Bayoh, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone Embassy, Dakar, Senegal
Nouakchott, Mauritania: The Sierra Leone Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, accredited to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, held a community meeting with Sierra Leoneans in Nouakchott on their immigration status.
Chaired by the Acting Head of Chancery (HOC), Madam Evelyn Tanty Akakpo, the meeting took place at Senchem, a community largely inhabited by Sierra Leoneans. The meeting heard their concerns since the authorities in that country began a clampdown on undocumented migrants.
Speaking to them, the Head of Chancery conveyed the Ambassador’s warm felicitations and told them that Ambassador Ibrahim Turay was concerned about their well-being. She told them that when the ambassador presented his credentials in Mauritania, he would pay them a visit.
Explaining some of the interventions made by the embassy during the height of deportations in Mauritania, the HOC said the embassy repatriated the first batch of 47 deportees and also facilitated the return of 87 others from Mauritania. She thanked the appointed consul of Sierra Leone to Mauritania, Sidi Mohamed Menane, for his relentless support during this challenging period. She also revealed that the embassy held several meetings with relevant stakeholders on how to ameliorate the issues faced by Sierra Leoneans.
“Because of all our engagements and direct involvements, the embassy decided to come do an assessment and to issue travel certificates to those willing to return to Sierra Leone and to also intervene in the release of those detained because of lack of documentation.”
Madam Evelyn T. Akakpo told them to be patience and warned them against their involvement in trafficking in persons and other crimes.
During their responses, the student representatives appealed to the embassy to give attention to them that wanted their certificates to be authenticated and to also issue a recommendation letter that would enhance their further studies.
Several other concerns about their renewal of their residential permits, passports, and documentation of children born in Mauritania were deliberated on. The embassy will begin interviews and verification on Thursday, 22nd May 2025, for the issuance of laissez-passers to those willing to return to Sierra Leone.
