Conakry/Freetown 11th September 2026 – More than 2,727 Sierra Leoneans were registered at Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport in Conakry over the past three months while attempting to travel to Arab countries, according to Guinean national television.
The revelation came during high‑level talks between Sierra Leonean and Guinean government delegations in Conakry, where officials discussed border management, cross‑border security, and the welfare of nationals living or working across both countries.
The meeting focused on four key areas: identification of migrants, regulation of employment for nationals, tackling cross‑border crime, and managing land and sea borders.
At the conclusion of the talks, both governments agreed to establish two oversight structures: a strategic committee composed of ministers from Guinea and Sierra Leone, and a technical committee of experts to address issues of identification and the welfare of citizens in both countries.
Guinea’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Djenabou Touré, said the initiative aims to address migration challenges “in a humane, collegial and fraternal way,” stressing the historical and social ties between the two nations.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, welcomed the exchanges and conveyed condolences from President Julius Maada Bio to the people of Guinea following the recent incident in Dar‑es‑Salaam. He described the meeting as “successful,” noting that it provided an opportunity to reaffirm Sierra Leone’s appreciation for Guinea’s cooperation on border and migration issues.
Authorities from both sides underscored the importance of continued collaboration to manage migration flows, strengthen border security, and ensure that the rights and dignity of citizens are respected.
