Sierra Leone’s foreign ministry has suspended four officials following an investigation into the alleged misuse of official documents during a visa-processing exercise in September 2023.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said an investigative committee had completed its report into the exercise, previously reported by Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, and related matters.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry said the committee had identified weaknesses in administrative and consular procedures, document verification, authorisation and supervisory oversight.
The report has been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), alongside supporting evidence, for investigation within its statutory mandate.
The four officials suspended with immediate effect are Alieu Badara Mansaray, head of chancery at Sierra Leone’s embassy in Algeria and former head of the Consular Unit at the time of the reported incident; Thomas Alfred Sengeh, acting deputy secretary at the ministry; Isatu Joselyn Jalloh, senior assistant secretary; and Shamit Aminata Tarawallie, second secretary at Sierra Leone’s embassy in Ireland.
The ministry also ordered the immediate withdrawal of Mr Mansaray and Ms Tarawallie from their overseas postings.
It stressed that the suspensions were interim administrative measures and did not amount to findings of criminal wrongdoing or establish individual responsibility.
Any further action would depend on the ACC’s findings, applicable law and decisions by the relevant authorities, the ministry said.
The ministry has also directed that a formal written apology be issued to Mr Tunis over what it described as procedural failures within its systems and any resulting prejudice.
The investigation relates to a visa-processing exercise conducted in September 2023. The ministry’s statement identifies Mr Tunis as having previously reported on the exercise but does not explain the specific allegations he raised or provide details of the documents involved.
The latest announcement marks a further step in the ministry’s handling of the matter, with the investigative committee’s report now referred to the ACC. The commission’s findings may determine whether the issues identified warrant further action under its statutory powers.
The ministry has not disclosed the full report or provided a detailed account of how the alleged misuse occurred. It has also not said whether the four officials have been formally accused of criminal offences.
The decision to suspend the officials and withdraw two from overseas postings comes as the ministry says it is strengthening controls over its administrative and consular procedures.
The ministry said it would co-operate fully with the ACC and provide further updates when appropriate.
