Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran Rescues 15 Sierra Leoneans in Lebanon

By Elizabeth Davidson Campbell Press Attaché, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Email: elizbethallie@gmail.com

With support from IOM in Lebanon, the Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, through the Consulate of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Lebanon has today October 29th 2023 repatriated fifteen (15) Sierra Leoneans back to Freetown.

The women had traveled to Lebanon in hopes of seeking greener pastures through rogue and criminal agents who pride themselves in the vulnerability of mostly desperate people. According to IOM, Criminal cartels and Human trafficking rogues are on the increase lately in West Africa. These cartels operate in organized networks in Sierra Leone to Guinea and then the middle east and elsewhere.

“Once we arrive in Lebanon and elsewhere in the middle east, our passports are seized by our employers who would mostly abuse and molest us, an ordeal we have to go through most of the time” said one of the women. When this happens, most victims are forced to roam the streets of Beruit undocumented which would obviously attract the attention of the Police, she continued.

When news broke of massive Sierra Leonean arrest reached the Sierra Leone Community in Lebanon, Mr. Jaward Gbondema Borniea Secretary General of the SL Community and Secretary at the SL Consulate in Lebanon played a very key role in the repatriation process. H.E Ambassador Alie Badara Kamara who is the Sierra Leonean ambassador in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, designated to the Consulate in Lebanon worked with the IOM and the Lebanese Authorities on the issue who later arranged the repatriation of thirteen (13) women and an 11 months old baby back to Freetown.