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The Government of Sierra Leone has officially launched its National Implementation Plan for the Global Compact for Migration, a major step toward strengthening migration governance.
The launch, held on October 21, 2025, at Country Lodge in Freetown, marks a key milestone in the country’s commitment to managing migration in a safe, orderly, and regular manner.
The plan provides a comprehensive framework aligning Sierra Leone’s migration policies with international standards and promotes collaboration among government institutions, civil society, and development partners to address both the challenges and opportunities of migration.
Usman Cherry Conteh, Development Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), said the plan represents a “homegrown blueprint” developed through extensive consultations. He also announced the establishment of a National Coordination Mechanism for Migration, emphasizing that the initiative will help integrate migration into national development strategies.
“This is our strategic roadmap to effectively manage migration, support our citizens abroad, and integrate the contributions of migrants into our national development plan,” Conteh stated.
The launch also featured the unveiling of the IOM Sierra Leone Country Strategy, which outlines how the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will support the Government in implementing the plan’s objectives.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor, described the occasion as a milestone in advancing international cooperation and sustainable development.
“Migration is not just an abstract concept for Sierra Leone; it is woven into the very fabric of our society,” Lengor said, citing the impact of the diaspora and remittances on the economy.
He noted that when properly managed, migration can foster economic growth, cultural exchange, and human capital development. However, he also highlighted ongoing challenges such as brain drain and unsafe migration routes.
Lengor emphasized that the Global Compact for Migration and the new plan aim to transform Sierra Leone’s approach from reactive to proactive management, ensuring migration becomes “a choice, not a necessity, and a source of prosperity, not peril.”
The National Implementation Plan defines specific strategies, indicators, and responsibilities for ministries and agencies, ensuring that global migration commitments translate into concrete national action.
