Freetown, 23rd March 2026- Sierra Leone’s Cabinet has approved an agreement to support reception, temporary hosting, and humanitarian services under the Third Country National Arrangement, in collaboration with international partners.
This decision relates to Sierra Leone’s role under the Third Country National Arrangement (TCNA), which is a partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Government of the United States to support migrants and returnees.
Cabinet approved an agreement with Kenvah Solutions (SL) Limited to provide key services, including reception and safe arrival support, temporary accommodation, and humanitarian and operational assistance for individuals covered under the arrangement.
“This is a time-bound, structured humanitarian intervention, supported by external financing, to ensure that individuals arriving under this programme are treated with dignity and provided with basic services in line with international standards,” Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah told Truth Media.
The programme is backed by a US$1.5 million grant from the United States Government. It is being coordinated at the national level, with oversight from relevant ministries and agencies. Cabinet also emphasized the need for a proper legal framework, inter-agency coordination, and strong monitoring to ensure the programme is well managed and serves its intended purpose.
Cabinet approved an agreement with Kenvah Solutions (SL) Limited to provide key services, including reception and safe arrival support, temporary accommodation, and humanitarian and operational assistance for individuals covered under the arrangement.
There’s no overt quid pro quo. The visa ban is the prerogative of the U.S. government and their internal policies. Government of Sierra Leone continues to do what we can to strengthen our relationship with the USA and to do our own part in improving relations,” Chernor Bah said
Minister Bah insists that there is no requirement linked to the ban, he says America has not asked the government to do anything to lift the ban. The ban is a result of visa overstays and challenges in the past with deportation.
“We have multiple areas of engagement and cooperation with the USA. We will continue those. And this is simply one area of our partnership and to make sure returnees who come back here are treated with dignity and we have a clear framework,” Bah said.
In an earlier interview on the Truth Morning Devotion, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Kabba had confirmed that the US had made a request for Sierra Leone to accept third-party nationals as part of negotiations to end the full visa restrictions.
Timothy Musa Kabba said Sierra Leone is considering the acceptance of nationals from West Africa only, under the refugee law. He revealed that about 52 Sierra Leoneans are in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, awaiting deportation.
