Freetown, Sierra Leone – On Wednesday, Sierra Leone became the latest African nation to receive migrants expelled from the United States under President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies. A flight carrying nine West African deportees landed at the international airport near Freetown, as confirmed by an AFP journalist at the scene.
Details of the Deportation
Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba confirmed to AFP that nine individuals arrived from the US, revising an earlier statement that 25 were expected. The deportees originated from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, and Senegal, according to authorities. The group comprised seven men and two women, who were seen boarding a minibus under police escort, their heads bowed.
Health and Emotional State
Doris Bah, a health ministry official at the airport, described the deportees as “traumatised due to the months in chains during detention in the US.” She reported that most expressed a desire to return to their home countries. Some were arrested on the streets or at their workplaces, while one was detained while playing football in the US.
Reception and Repatriation Plans
The deportees will be housed in a hotel and are expected to be repatriated to their respective countries within two weeks. Sierra Leonean authorities have agreed to accept up to 300 individuals per year expelled by the US, but only from ECOWAS member states. Foreign Minister Kabba noted that some deportees hold Sierra Leonean residence permits, allowing them to stay for 90 days before returning to their country of origin.
US Financial Support
The United States has allocated $1.5 million to support the program, covering humanitarian and operational costs, as per a foreign ministry document reviewed by AFP.
