By Dauda Samura
The first batch of U.S. deportees has arrived at Freetown International Airport, with Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Musa Kabba confirming to Truth Media that only nine individuals were received far below the expected 25.
The arrival comes under a controversial Third Country National Agreement between Sierra Leone and the United States, which commits Freetown to accept up to 300 deported ECOWAS nationals annually, with a ceiling of 25 per month.
Earlier reports had indicated that the first group could include nationals from Senegal, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria, as Washington ramps up migrant removals.
However, today’s lower-than-expected number raises fresh questions about the rollout, transparency, and logistics of the agreement.
The deal — part of broader U.S. immigration enforcement efforts — has sparked debate over Sierra Leone’s role in receiving non-citizens, with concerns around legality, long-term settlement, and humanitarian safeguards.
Similar arrangements have reportedly been implemented in countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, DR Congo and Eswatini, often backed by financial and diplomatic incentives.
Sierra Leone’s government has not disclosed what it stands to gain from the agreement, describing it instead as part of its bilateral cooperation with Washington.
The development also revives memories of past tensions between the two countries, including U.S. visa restrictions imposed in 2017 over deportation disputes.
