The Sierra Leone Embassy in Dakar, Senegal accredited to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania held a community meeting with Sierra Leoneans living in Nouakchott to address pressing immigration concerns amid an ongoing crackdown on undocumented migrants by local authorities on Thursday 21st May 2025.
The meeting, chaired by the Acting Head of Chancery (HOC), Madam Evelyn Tanty Akakpo, took place in Senchem, a neighborhood heavily populated by Sierra Leoneans. Attendees shared their concerns over increasing detentions and deportations of undocumented migrants in Mauritania.
Delivering her remarks, Madam Akakpo conveyed greetings from Ambassador Ibrahim Turay and assured the community of his commitment to their welfare. She informed them that the Ambassador would visit Nouakchott after officially presenting his credentials in Mauritania.
Highlighting the embassy’s efforts during the peak of the deportation wave, Madam Akakpo noted that the embassy successfully repatriated the first group of 47 deportees and facilitated the return of an additional 87 Sierra Leoneans from Mauritania. She expressed gratitude to the appointed Consul of Sierra Leone in Mauritania, Sidi Mohamed Menane, for his unwavering support throughout the challenging period.
“Due to our engagements and direct interventions, the embassy undertook an assessment mission to issue travel certificates to those willing to return to Sierra Leone and to assist in securing the release of those detained for lacking proper documentation,” Madam Akakpo stated.
She urged the community to remain patient and cautioned them against involvement in human trafficking and other illegal activities.
During the interactive session, student representatives requested assistance with the authentication of academic certificates and the issuance of recommendation letters to support their pursuit of higher education. Other concerns raised included the renewal of residence permits, passport services, and the documentation of children born in Mauritania.
The embassy announced that interviews and verification exercises for the issuance of Laissez-Passer travel documents would begin on Thursday, 22 May 2025, for those opting to voluntarily return to Sierra Leone.