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Chief Immigration Officer Moses Tiffa Baio has raised concerns over what he described as a legal vacuum surrounding who is lawfully eligible to obtain a Sierra Leonean passport, warning that the gap has unsettled international partners and weakened public confidence in the Immigration Department.
Speaking to Liberty Online TV, Baio said that although administrative requirements such as birth certificates and national identity cards are currently used in the passport application process, there is no specific law or statute clearly defining eligibility for a Sierra Leonean passport.
He said the absence of clear legal provisions has become a major concern among foreign diplomats he has engaged, including representatives from the United Kingdom, Germany, United States and China.
“There is no legal law that says a person must be a Sierra Leonean before having the right to obtain a Sierra Leonean passport,” Baio said, stressing that public perception among citizens and international partners remains a key concern as the department works to address recent passport irregularities.
According to Baio, discussions with foreign envoys revealed that their primary concern centers on the absence of a clear legal requirement defining who qualifies for a Sierra Leonean passport. He noted that diplomats are calling for a stronger statutory framework to eliminate ambiguity and reinforce trust in Sierra Leone’s travel documents.
His remarks come amid ongoing efforts to reform and sanitize the Immigration Department following allegations of irregular passport issuance.
Baio said the ongoing process is not only aimed at addressing internal challenges within the department but also at restoring confidence in Sierra Leone’s passport system both locally and internationally.
The disclosure has sparked renewed discussions on the need for Parliament to establish a comprehensive passport law that clearly outlines eligibility requirements and strengthens safeguards against fraud and abuse.
