Former Sierra Leonean Cyprus Footballer Appeals For Reconsideration After Being Deported

A Sierra Leonean origin and former Cyprus Footballer Mohamed Kamara has asked the government to reconsider its decision of deporting him after living in Cyprus for 20 years.

The story of Mohamed Kamara was brought to light by the publication of the newspaper “Haravgi.” The 41-year-old African former footballer (Nea Salamina, Doxa, Olympiacos Nicosia) has lived in our country for 20 years and raised three children (14, 11 and 5 years old).

Reason to Mohamed ‘s sudden deportation after 20 years in Cyprus was tagged to the fact that he couldn’t meet the country’s residency requirements. This Mohamed had appealed for the government to reconsider their decision, claiming that he has lived in Cyprus for almost his entire adult life without ever causing any problems.

“I’m just trying to live a normal life with my family. If I am deported, I will be unable to relocate my family. In Sierra Leone, I have nothing, no home, no family,” he said.

According to sources, Mohamed Kamara and family have been illegally living in Cyprus for 9 years, and continued that the status of the family has been in the hands of authorities for more than 10 years. The source further that, the family has several times contacted the Ministry of Interior and the Police; six of those contacts the family had been informed to legalize their stay or be repatriated to Sierra Leone.

It was further revealed that Mohamed had been given countless opportunities to apply for a visitor’s permit on 25th February 2021 which he allegedly failed to do so.

The Ministry of Interior emphasizes that, as evidenced by the facts, not only was the family not thrown out on the street, but many more -than allowed- legalization opportunities were provided, with foreigners defiantly ignoring and exploiting the authorities’ tolerance.

As a result of his actions and negligence to do the needful, Mohamed Kamara and family are facing tension to be repatriated to Sierra Leone, though he still pleads for a Reconsideration to be done as he claims to have no home and nothing.