Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, has dismissed claims made in a draft list published by The New York Times suggesting that Sierra Leone is among countries facing potential travel restrictions under a new U.S. policy.
Speaking in a local radio interview on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, Kabba clarified that the Sierra Leonean government engages directly with the U.S. State Department, not with media outlets, regarding such matters.
The foreign minister stated that there has been no official communication from the U.S. government or any publication on its official platforms confirming the claims made in The New York Times report.
“I cannot say the list is fake, but it is inaccurate,” he remarked, adding that while the U.S. has raised concerns over visa-related issues, the situation is not as severe as portrayed.
Kabba also revealed that he has been in continuous discussions with the U.S. ambassador to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Bryan David Hunt, and the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Washington, D.C., regarding visa policies and enforcement. He reassured the public that U.S. consular services in Sierra Leone remain operational, and visas continue to be issued to eligible applicants without any new restrictions.
Addressing concerns about the alleged travel ban, Kabba disclosed that he met with the U.S. Ambassador Hunt on Monday, March 17, during a visit in which the ambassador introduced the director of the U.S. Peace Corps. During this meeting, Kabba inquired about the validity of the New York Times report. According to him, the ambassador clarified that the document in question was not an official U.S. State Department report and should not be considered credible.
However, the minister acknowledged that Sierra Leone has been engaged in ongoing discussions with the U.S. regarding visa compliance, particularly concerning Sierra Leonean nationals who overstay their visas and engage in unauthorized economic activities.
He confirmed that in January 2025, the U.S. government requested emergency travel certificates for twelve Sierra Leonean nationals found to have overstayed their visas. The Sierra Leonean embassy in Washington was tasked with verifying their identities, after which they were repatriated with assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Kabba further highlighted that visa overstays are a broader issue affecting the entire West African region, with many individuals traveling to the U.S. on short-term visas and remaining beyond their authorized stay to seek economic opportunities. While Sierra Leone ranks lower in comparison to other countries in the region, he acknowledged that the growing number of cases has raised concerns within the U.S. administration.
The minister concluded by emphasizing that his ministry is working closely with U.S. authorities to ensure stricter due diligence in the visa application process, aiming to prevent future issues while maintaining strong diplomatic ties between the two nations.
