Three Sierra Leonean Women Stranded in Iran-Iraq Border Repatriated to Sierra Leone
Kadijatu Barrie The Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has successfully repatriated three Sierra Leonean women who were stranded at the Iran-Iraq border after a failed attempt to migrate to Europe.
The women, who departed Sierra Leone in 2021 and 2022, had traveled to the Kurdistan region of Iraq seeking employment and passage to Europe via Turkey. They worked as domestic workers for two to three years, hoping to save enough money to fund the next stage of their journey.
Their plans collapsed at the Iran-Iraq border when an agent based in Tehran, identified as Hassan, failed to appear. Hassan had allegedly promised to facilitate their passage to Europe for $2,000 each. After failed attempts to contact him, the women were robbed and lost all their belongings.
Iranian authorities intervened, taking the women into custody and subsequently handing them over to the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Tehran. With IOM’s support, the embassy processed the necessary documents for their safe return.
Ambassador Salamu Koroma personally received the women and ensured all logistical and diplomatic protocols were followed. He cautioned against the increasing trend of irregular migration among young Sierra Leoneans, highlighting the inherent risks.
“While we acknowledge that Sierra Leone faces its own set of challenges, your chances of surviving and succeeding are far greater back home than in the uncertainty and dangers of irregular migration,” Ambassador Koroma stated. He also encouraged the women to utilize the vocational skills acquired in Iraq to rebuild their lives in Sierra Leone.
The women expressed gratitude to the embassy and shared that they participated in training programs abroad, gaining skills they intend to use to support themselves and reintegrate into society.
The Sierra Leone Embassy in Iran has a history of assisting distressed nationals and continues to protect the rights and welfare of Sierra Leoneans in the region.
The three women have safely arrived in Freetown and are expected to reunite with their families soon.
We not free. Why dont you say it thapir colonial masters take over 90% of our minerals. And you are not allowed to resist is you do they will disestabilate your government weathe using oponent political party. You sound like you are great servant of our masters. Check Bokina Faso.