FREETOWN, 12 October 2026 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has suspended four senior officials with immediate effect over their alleged involvement in the misuse of official Ministry documents for visa purposes.
In a Press Release issued today, the Ministry said an Investigative Committee set up to probe a visa-processing exercise from September 2023 – first reported by Hon. Mohamed Sidie Tunis – has submitted its report.
The Committee found serious lapses in the Ministry’s system, including deficiencies in administrative and consular procedures, document verification and authorisation, supervisory oversight, and institutional controls.
Following the report, Management has approved interim administrative measures and has referred the matter to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for further investigation within its mandate.
Those suspended are:
– Mr. Alieu Badara Mansaray – Head of Chancery, Embassy of Sierra Leone in Algeria. He was head of the Consular Unit at the time of the incident.
– Mr. Thomas Alfred Sengeh – Acting Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
– Ms. Isatu Joelyn Jalloh – Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
– Ms. Shamit Aminata Tarawallie – Second Secretary, Embassy of Sierra Leone in Ireland
The Ministry further announced the immediate withdrawal of Mr. Mansaray and Ms. Tarawallie from their overseas postings in Algeria and Ireland respectively.
The scandal centres on a Note Verbale allegedly issued by the Ministry in September 2023 requesting a United States visa for Hon. Sidie Tunis, MP for Pujehun and former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, and one Chabatan Bah who was listed as his Executive Assistant.
Hon. Tunis, who has denied ever knowing or employing the individual, later discovered that he had been marked as ineligible for a US visa because of that application. He reported the matter to the Ministry, prompting the investigation. It is alleged that the person who used his name obtained the visa and travelled to the US.
The Ministry clarified that the suspension does not mean the four officials have been found guilty of criminal wrongdoing. Final determination will depend on the outcome of the ACC investigation and applicable law.
The Ministry has also directed that a formal written apology be issued to Hon. Tunis for the procedural failures and any prejudice suffered.
It says it is strengthening its consular safeguards and will cooperate fully with the ACC as it remains committed to accountability and the integrity of Sierra Leone’s diplomatic functions.
