By: Aminata Sesay
Member of Parliament, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, has raised concerns in Parliament over a reported deportation agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the United States Government.
Addressing the House, Hon. Koroma stated that it was important to bring the matter to the attention of both Parliament and the public, describing the issue as “very fundamental.”
According to the lawmaker, information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that an agreement had been reached between the two governments. However, he questioned why Parliament had not been formally informed or presented with details of the agreement before its reported implementation.
Hon. Koroma further disclosed that, based on information available to him, the first batch of deportees was expected to arrive in the country the following day, despite Parliament not having debated or reviewed the agreement.
He stressed that no such agreement had been brought before Parliament “for attention or any other purpose,” raising concerns about transparency and parliamentary oversight on matters of national importance.
The MP urged the Speaker of Parliament to ensure that the Minister of Foreign Affairs appears before the House as soon as possible to present details of the agreement for the “attention and education” of Members of Parliament prior to its implementation.
The issue sparked concern among lawmakers, with calls for stronger engagement between the Executive and Parliament on international agreements that could have significant national implications.
Parliament is expected to seek further clarification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the reported deportation arrangement and its implications for Sierra Leone.