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Sierra Leone Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating transnational organised crime following the interception of a major human trafficking operation involving 63 individuals.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, the Chief Minister said recent developments demonstrate “real and measurable progress” in the country’s fight against human trafficking, adding that enforcement efforts are now yielding tangible results.
Referencing the 2025 U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report, Sengeh noted that Sierra Leone has stepped up its anti-trafficking response, including securing convictions and improving victim identification systems.
He also highlighted a recent police operation that dismantled a trafficking network allegedly transporting Sierra Leoneans across the border into Guinea.
According to authorities, 23 adults and 40 children, aged between seven months and 13 years, were being trafficked under the pretext of facilitating access to an international migration opportunity.
The Chief Minister said ringleaders have been arrested and investigations are ongoing, adding that the government is working with the Anti-Trafficking Secretariat to ensure the safe reintegration of victims, all of whom are from Waterloo.
“When Sierra Leoneans are victims of these crimes, we do everything to ensure their safety, dignity and successful reintegration,” he said.
He stressed the importance of public cooperation in tackling organised crime, urging citizens to report credible information to authorities rather than circulate unverified claims.
Sengeh also underscored ongoing international cooperation, including support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which he said has assisted more than 500 Sierra Leonean trafficking victims since 2017.
He referenced the government’s National Action Plan Against Trafficking in Persons (2024–2028) as the guiding framework for national response efforts.
In a firm message, the Chief Minister warned against what he described as the politicisation of Sierra Leone’s challenges by international actors.
He said effective progress depends on mutual respect, intelligence sharing, and technical cooperation rather than public accusations.
Reiterating the government’s broader development agenda, Sengeh said the fight against trafficking is central to national progress, adding that Sierra Leone’s goal is to achieve middle-income status by 2039.
