Post a comment 
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) and the UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at providing legal identity documents to migrants and stateless persons residing in Sierra Leone.
The agreement paves the way for the issuance of national identity cards and birth certificates to 1,000 beneficiaries, a move described as “historic” by stakeholders at the signing ceremony.
Under the terms of the agreement, 700 individuals will receive national ID cards, while 300 will be issued birth certificates.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the NCRA, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, emphasised the government’s commitment to an inclusive national identity system that leaves no one behind.
“This MOU affirms our resolve to ensure that every individual residing in Sierra Leone – citizens, migrants, or stateless persons – has access to legal identity. the NCRA DG said. “Access to basic services such as education, healthcare, business registration, communication, financial transactions, and social protection hinges on having a valid ID. We cannot afford to let anyone fall through the cracks.”
The Director General further highlighted that this initiative supports the broader national development goals by ensuring accurate data on population dynamics, particularly on vulnerable and often invisible groups.
On behalf of the IOM, Dr Pauline Macharia, Officer in Charge of the Sierra Leone Mission, noted that the MOU represents a “significant milestone” in efforts to reintegrate returning migrants and protect the rights of stateless persons.
“More and more, we are seeing women and children returning to Sierra Leone without any form of identification. Without these documents, they cannot enroll in school, access healthcare, or participate fully in society,” Dr Macharia stated.
She added that the MOU will help facilitate dignified and sustainable reintegration of returnees, many of whom had spent years abroad under precarious circumstances. In 2024 alone, the IOM supported the return of over 2,000 Sierra Leoneans, many of whom arrived without valid identity documents.
One of the key components of the MOU is the nationwide deployment of NCRA teams to ensure that services reach migrants and stateless persons across all districts and not just in Freetown. This decentralised approach is designed to eliminate barriers to access and promote equity across regions.
Both parties confirmed that the 1,000-person target is only the initial phase, and the agreement allows for scale-up based on need. The standard operating procedures (SOPs) guiding the project were developed collaboratively and will ensure the integrity, security, and confidentiality of personal data collected during the registration process.
