The Netherlands is seeking to persuade European Union partners to consider suspending development cooperation with Sierra Leone over concerns that a suspected Dutch drug trafficker is being sheltered in the country, according to a report by Dutch broadcaster NOS.
The report says the Dutch cabinet wants to increase pressure on Sierra Leone over its failure to arrest and extradite Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch national also known as “Bolle Jos,” who is wanted on serious drug trafficking charges in Europe.
Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel is quoted as saying it was “bizarre” that the Netherlands and its partners were supporting countries that may be providing safe haven to major drug criminals, according to the NOS report.
The Dutch government is now reportedly exploring whether EU development cooperation with Sierra Leone should be reviewed or suspended as part of broader efforts to secure Leijdekkers’ arrest.
However, EU development funding is decided collectively by EU institutions and member states, meaning the Netherlands cannot unilaterally block assistance to Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone is currently part of a wider EU development programming framework worth hundreds of millions of euros between 2021 and 2027, covering governance, education and economic support.
Jos Leijdekkers, a high-profile Dutch fugitive, has been sentenced in absentia in Europe over drug trafficking offences and is believed by investigators to be hiding in West Africa, including Sierra Leone.
Reports linking him to Sierra Leone have sparked political sensitivity in both countries. Sierra Leonean authorities have previously denied claims that he is being protected or sheltered locally.
The European Union has not yet issued an official response to the Dutch proposal reported by NOS. The EU Delegation in Sierra Leone did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone Jacek Jankowski has previously warned that drug trafficking is a serious transnational threat requiring stronger cooperation between Sierra Leone and international partners, and said such criminal networks can damage a country’s international reputation and investor confidence.
The case has also drawn attention to wider concerns about West Africa’s role as a transit region for cocaine trafficking between Latin America and Europe.
EU officials have consistently said that development cooperation is linked to governance, rule of law and security partnerships, but any suspension or major policy shift would require agreement at EU level.
The Dutch proposal is expected to be discussed further among EU member states in the coming weeks as pressure mounts over efforts to locate and arrest Leijdekkers.
