The Opposition Chief Whip in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, has issued a stern warning, urging Sierra Leoneans to act swiftly to salvage the country’s crumbling international reputation.

His statement comes amid mounting concerns over alleged government inaction in the face of escalating drug trafficking activities and the misuse of diplomatic privileges.

Recalling President Julius Maada Bio’s earlier commitment to “clean the image of the country” through frequent international engagements, Hon. Kamara noted the irony that under the same administration, Sierra Leone is increasingly being tagged as a hub for drug trafficking , a label that threatens to overshadow all efforts at international diplomacy.

According to the Opposition Chief Whip, a disturbing example of this trend was the INTERPOL-assisted case involving the Dutch government’s request for the extradition of a convicted drug baron believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone. Despite evidence pointing to the fugitive’s presence, the Sierra Leone Police denied knowledge of his whereabouts, asserting that the suspect, known internationally as Bollos Jus was actually Amadu Sheriff.

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The revelation of photos and videos showing the convict in the country, allegedly mingling with individuals linked to the presidential family, only deepened public concern. Yet, the government has remained conspicuously silent, providing no updates or clarity.

Hon. Kamara did not mince words in condemning the government’s failure to act decisively. He described the current situation as one of Sierra Leone’s darkest reputational periods since independence, accusing state actors of turning a blind eye to the alarming spread of illicit drugs within the country.

He further alleged that certain officials may be benefitting from the drug trade, arguing that traffickers appear to enjoy protection rather than prosecution. “Sierra Leone is fast becoming a safe haven for drug lords,” he warned, “and those expected to lead the fight are shielding the very people destroying the nation’s integrity.”

Citing the recent arrest of drug baron Alp Ustun in the United Arab Emirates, Hon. Kamara expressed outrage that the suspect was found with a Sierra Leonean diplomatic passport. He said this incident has not only embarrassed the nation but also endangered ordinary Sierra Leoneans abroad.

He lamented that diplomatic passports, once symbols of honor and trust, are now being exploited as shields for international criminals. Referring to Page 116 of the 2023 Audit Report, Hon. Kamara highlighted troubling findings that several Sierra Leonean diplomatic missions still use rubber stamps instead of standardized visa stickers or automated systems. This, he noted, creates loopholes that enable forgery and abuse.

Although some missions have made attempts to improve internal controls, Hon. Kamara warned that the current measures remain insufficient. The absence of rigorous verification systems, he argued, continues to fuel the misuse of official documents and compromises the nation’s credibility abroad.

In his concluding remarks, the Opposition Chief Whip called on the government to launch a comprehensive investigation into the issuance of diplomatic passports, especially those granted to foreigners suspected of involvement in transnational drug cartels. He urged immediate action to restore integrity, safeguard national security, and rebuild Sierra Leone’s standing in the international community.

“Sierra Leoneans must act fast,” Hon. Kamara stressed. “If we continue on this path of silence and complicity, we risk losing everything our nation stands for.”