FREETOWN, 12th October 2026 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has suspended four officials and referred an investigation into alleged irregularities in the processing of official ministry documents for visa purposes to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry announced that an internal investigation committee had submitted its report into the September 2023 visa-processing exercise and related matters reported by Member of Parliament Mohamed Sidie Tunis.
According to the ministry, the committee identified weaknesses in administrative and consular procedures, document verification and authorization processes, supervisory oversight, and institutional controls.
Following a review of the findings, management approved interim administrative measures and directed the ACC to investigate the report and supporting evidence within its statutory mandate.
As part of those measures, the ministry suspended four officials with immediate effect. They 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 of Foreign Affairs and International Relations; Lisatu Joelyn Jalloh, Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; and Shamit Aminata Tarawallie, Second Secretary at Sierra Leone’s Embassy in Ireland.
The ministry also approved the immediate withdrawal of Mansaray and Tarawallie from their overseas postings pending further action.
However, the ministry emphasized that the suspensions do not constitute findings of criminal wrongdoing or final determinations of individual responsibility.
It stated that any further action would depend on the outcome of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation, applicable laws, and decisions by the relevant authorities.
In another significant development, the ministry disclosed that it had directed the issuance of a formal written apology to MP Mohamed Sidie Tunis for procedural failures within the ministry’s systems and any resulting prejudice.
The ministry said it is moving to strengthen its administrative and consular safeguards to prevent future lapses and pledged full cooperation with the ACC investigation.
“The Ministry remains committed to accountability, due process, and the integrity of Sierra Leone’s diplomatic and consular functions,” the statement concluded.
The latest action marks a significant step in efforts to address concerns surrounding the reported visa-processing exercise, with attention now shifting to the outcome of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation.
