Minister Napoleon Koroma Targets Cross-Border Organized Crime

By Abdul Rahman Bah

Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has called for stronger and more coordinated action between Sierra Leone and Guinea to tackle human trafficking, human smuggling, drug trafficking and other forms of cross-border organised crime.

Speaking on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown, Minister Koroma outlined key outcomes from the Vice President-led mission to Guinea, which focused on strengthening bilateral relations, security cooperation and the protection of citizens.

The Minister said the growing movement of people across the Sierra Leone-Guinea border requires stronger monitoring and cooperation between the two countries. While acknowledging that cross-border movement is important for trade, employment, family ties and other legitimate activities, he warned that criminals can exploit weak border controls and inadequate documentation.

He said human trafficking and smuggling remain major concerns, because victims can be moved across borders without proper documentation and placed in situations where they are vulnerable to exploitation.

Koroma stressed that the fight against trafficking cannot be handled by one institution or country alone. He called for closer collaboration among security agencies, immigration authorities, civil registration institutions, diplomatic missions and communities on both sides of the border.

A major concern raised by the Minister was the failure of some Sierra Leoneans living in Guinea to properly register with the relevant authorities. He warned that undocumented citizens can face serious difficulties when they require government assistance, particularly during emergencies or other situations requiring consular intervention.

He urged Sierra Leoneans living outside the country to ensure that their documentation is in order, explaining that proper identification allows the government to know where its citizens are and provide assistance when necessary.

The Minister also highlighted concerns surrounding the recognition of Sierra Leonean and ECOWAS national identity cards in Guinea. He said some citizens have reportedly experienced difficulties using their identity cards to access services, including banking.

Koroma maintained that such issues require further engagement between Sierra Leonean and Guinean authorities to ensure that citizens are not unnecessarily disadvantaged while exercising their legitimate rights within the ECOWAS region.

Beyond the immediate Sierra Leone-Guinea relationship, the Minister said the mission also touched on wider security concerns involving Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

He argued that previous tripartite agreements should not remain merely as diplomatic commitments on paper. Instead, he said the countries must move towards practical implementation of the decisions already reached.

According to Koroma, the relevant Foreign Ministers, in collaboration with the Mano River Union, are expected to facilitate another meeting to fast-track implementation of outstanding commitments under the tripartite arrangement.

The Minister issued a particularly strong warning to individuals and organisations involved in organised criminal activities.

He said Sierra Leone is strengthening cooperation between its security institutions and counterparts in Guinea to investigate suspected trafficking, smuggling and other transnational crimes.

He disclosed that INTERPOL, the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and the Transnational Organised Crime Unit are among the institutions involved in efforts to investigate suspected cases and identify those behind criminal networks.

Koroma warned that individuals found guilty of human trafficking, human smuggling, drug trafficking or other organised crimes would face the full force of the law.

He said criminal networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and often operate across national boundaries, making international cooperation essential to identifying, disrupting and prosecuting those involved.

The Minister further stressed that the government’s responsibility goes beyond arresting suspected criminals. It must also protect ordinary citizens who legitimately travel, work or reside outside Sierra Leone.

He said proper documentation, effective border management and stronger communication between institutions are therefore essential to ensuring that Sierra Leoneans can move safely, while criminals are prevented from exploiting the country’s borders.

His comments also highlighted the importance of addressing the underlying vulnerability that makes citizens susceptible to trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

For many Sierra Leoneans, movement to Guinea and other neighbouring countries is part of everyday economic and social life. Traders, workers, students and families regularly cross the border. Koroma therefore emphasised the need for a system that protects legitimate movement without creating unnecessary hardship for law-abiding citizens.

The Minister also acknowledged the role of the media in bringing national concerns to public attention. He said media reporting and public awareness can contribute significantly to efforts to address lawlessness, public safety and other issues affecting communities.

He maintained that public awareness is particularly important in the fight against trafficking because potential victims need to understand the dangers associated with unverified travel, employment and migration arrangements.

As Sierra Leone and Guinea strengthen their bilateral relationship, Koroma’s message was that cooperation must produce measurable results on the ground.

He called for stronger intelligence sharing, better documentation, improved border monitoring and coordinated investigations to prevent organised criminal groups from using the two countries as transit points.

The Minister’s position also places greater responsibility on citizens to remain vigilant. He encouraged Sierra Leoneans travelling or living abroad to ensure that their identity and immigration documents are valid and to seek assistance from recognised government institutions whenever they encounter difficulties.

He stressed that the fight against human trafficking and cross-border crime requires collective action involving government, security agencies, communities, the media and ordinary citizens.

Ultimately, Minister Koroma said Sierra Leone wants to see stronger regional cooperation that protects citizens, while making it increasingly difficult for criminal networks to operate across national borders.

He ended with a firm warning that individuals who use Sierra Leonean citizens or territory to facilitate organised crime should not expect to operate with impunity, as government intends to deepen cooperation with neighbouring countries and strengthen enforcement against trafficking, smuggling and other transnational crimes.