Sierra Leone: what is known about the agreement on migrants expelled by the United States

The Sierra Leone government has announced a “Third Country National Agreement” (TNCA) with the United States, aimed at temporarily hosting West African nationals expelled from the US.

The first arrivals are reported to be from Senegal, Ghana, Guinea, and Nigeria, all members of the ECOWAS.

These migrants will stay in Sierra Leone for a maximum of fourteen days, with exceptions allowing up to thirty days. After this period, they will be sent back to their home countries.

The agreement outlines a cap of 25 people per month or up to 300 people annually. The government has allocated $1.5 million from Washington to cover hosting, temporary accommodation, and repatriation costs.

There are concerns about transparency, the profile of migrants, and Sierra Leone’s ability to manage in a challenging economic context regarding this agreement.

Critics fear the lack of clear guarantees for migrants after their arrival, particularly regarding potential risks like domestic violence. Public consultation and communication on the agreement’s specific terms are also cited as lacking.

The Sierra Leone government is attempting to address criticisms by emphasizing the temporary and limited nature of the agreement and conducting security and health checks for incoming migrants.

Speculation arises about a possible connection between this agreement and recent US visa restrictions on Sierra Leoneans, with suggestions that Freetown may seek to ease these restrictions, though no official confirmation is available at this time.