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Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Kabba, in a recent interview with Radio Democracy, addressed pressing international concerns, including the ongoing case involving Jos Leijdekkers and the reported United States’ ban on Sierra Leone.
Minister Kabba revealed that inquiries made through the Sierra Leone embassy in the United States highlighted a significant concern over the overstay of Sierra Leonean nationals within the US. He did not elaborate on the specific nature of the US ban.
Regarding the relationship between Sierra Leone and the Netherlands, Minister Kabba emphasized a “good and fruitful” partnership. He clarified that the initial media reports surrounding Jos Leijdekkers were not officially brought to the Sierra Leonean government’s attention. “It was a journalistic assumption, and diplomatically, that is not the manner to engage,” he stated.
However, once the issue was formally presented, the Sierra Leonean government, “as a responsible government that fights against transnational organized crime,” promptly initiated an investigation. Minister Kabba explained that the police, in collaboration with the Minister of Justice, began looking into the matter, culminating in a formal request from the Netherlands government.
The Minister stressed that the UN ban on Sierra Leone was not related to the Leijdekkers case or the Netherlands. He sought to dispel any misconceptions linking the two issues.
“Yes, the government of the Netherlands has written to Sierra Leone and asked, ‘There a certain person of interest,'” Minister Kabba confirmed.
He stated that the matter is now a legal issue between the two nations, indicating ongoing cooperation and communication between the respective authorities. He did not give any details on the person of interest.
