The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has suspended four officials and ordered the withdrawal of two diplomats from their overseas postings following an investigation into alleged misuse of official ministry documentation for visa purposes.

In a press release dated 12 October 2026, the Ministry said the measures followed the submission of an Investigative Committee’s report into the September 2023 visa-processing exercise, which was reported by Hon. Mohamed Sidie Tunis, and related matters.

According to the Ministry, the committee identified deficiencies in administrative and consular procedures, document verification and authorisation, supervisory oversight, and institutional controls.

Following a review of the report, the Ministry’s management approved interim administrative measures and directed that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigate the report and supporting evidence within its statutory mandate.

The four officials suspended from duty with immediate effect are Alieu Badara Mansaray, Head of Chancery at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Algeria and former head of the Consular Unit at the time of the reported incident; Thomas Alfred Sengeh, Acting Deputy Secretary at the Ministry; Isatu Joelyn Jalloh, Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry; and Shamit Aminata Tarawallie, Second Secretary at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Ireland.

The Ministry also approved the immediate withdrawal of Mansaray and Tarawallie from their respective overseas postings.

It stressed that the administrative measures do not constitute findings of criminal wrongdoing or final determinations of individual responsibility. Any further action, it said, would depend on the ACC’s findings, applicable law and decisions by the competent authorities.

The Ministry further disclosed that management had directed it to issue a formal written apology to Hon. Mohamed Sidie Tunis over procedural failures within its systems and any resulting prejudice.

As part of its response, the Ministry said it was strengthening administrative and consular safeguards and would cooperate fully with the ACC throughout the investigation.

It added that further public updates would be provided as appropriate, reaffirming its commitment to accountability, due process and the integrity of Sierra Leone’s diplomatic and consular functions.