U.S. Ambassador Hunts Meets Foreign Minister Timothy Kabba Amidst Visa Restriction Concerns

U.S. Ambassador Bryan Hunt met with Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Timothy Kabba today, amidst rising concerns over a potential U.S. travel ban on Sierra Leonean nationals.

While the meeting was officially to introduce the new Peace Corps Director, Tim Miller, key bilateral issues, including the visa restrictions, were reportedly a central topic of discussion.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed the meeting via social media, stating that Ambassador Hunt and Minister Kabba discussed “key bilateral issues, reinforcing the U.S.-Sierra Leone partnership.” However, sources indicate that the meeting was initially requested by Minister Kabba following reports of a proposed travel ban by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Last week, a New York Times report placed Sierra Leone in the “orange tier” of countries facing potential visa restrictions, alongside nations like Pakistan, South Sudan, Russia, and Eritrea. This tier suggests significant limitations on visas for Sierra Leonean citizens.

Speculation surrounding the proposed ban has been rife, with some attributing it to the Trump administration’s broader immigration restrictions targeting countries deemed “rogue states.” Others have suggested a link to recent narcotics scandals in Sierra Leone.

Prior to the meeting, it was reported that Minister Kabba sought clarification from Ambassador Hunt regarding the rationale behind the potential restrictions. The meeting was anticipated to shed light on the U.S. government’s reasoning, with many Sierra Leoneans awaiting official confirmation and details.

While the official readout from the U.S. Embassy focused on the introduction of the Peace Corps Director and general bilateral cooperation, the backdrop of the visa restriction concerns cast a significant shadow over the discussions.

Further details are expected to emerge as both governments provide updates.