Sierra Leone’s opposition leader has accused the government of bringing “national disgrace” to the country following a series of international drug and diplomatic scandals, including the discovery of cocaine in an embassy vehicle and reports of drug traffickers holding Sierra Leonean passports.
In a statement issued late Monday, Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, said the incidents had severely damaged Sierra Leone’s international reputation and exposed deep flaws in the country’s diplomatic and immigration systems.
“For the first time in Sierra Leone’s history, bags of cocaine have been discovered in an official government vehicle belonging to our embassy in Guinea,” Kargbo said. “Our embassies, meant to represent the honour and integrity of Sierra Leone, are now being mentioned in the same breath as international drug trafficking.”
He also condemned reports that foreign nationals wanted for drug trafficking, including a Turkish suspect extradited from Dubai to Turkey this week, were found carrying Sierra Leonean diplomatic passports. “One is left to wonder how many more international criminals have been illegally granted Sierra Leonean nationality,” he said.
Kargbo accused the government of “deliberate complicity” for allegedly harbouring a known drug trafficker and his associates in Sierra Leone despite international extradition requests. “This is a calculated betrayal of the people and the worst form of disgrace a government can bring upon its citizens,” he added.
The Sierra Leone Immigration Department on Monday announced an investigation into the alleged misuse of diplomatic passports following media reports that a Turkish national arrested on drug charges was carrying one. The department said it would also audit all diplomatic passports to prevent future abuse.
Government officials have not responded to Kargbo’s latest statement, but Information Minister Chernor Bah told Reuters earlier that the administration takes the allegations seriously and is working to verify all related information.
Kargbo urged “transparency, accountability, and immediate action” to restore Sierra Leone’s global image, saying citizens “deserve leadership that upholds dignity and protects our national honour.”
By Joe Turay
