S/Leone Govt. Confirms Arrest of Embassy Vehicle, Recalled Ambassador Bangura
By Mohamed Konneh
The government of Sierra Leone has confirmed the arrest of Embassy Vehicle in Guinea suspected of carrying substance alleged to be cocaine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Musa Kabba told a press conference on Thursday 16th January 2025.
Ambassador Alimamy Bangura
Minister Kabba also told journalists that the government has recalled the Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Guinea, Mr. Alimamy Bangura including the head of chancery.
This decision is as a result of government response to the arrest of the Sierra Leone Embassy vehicle and Driver in Guinea with suspected substance alleged to be cocaine.
Minister Kabba informed the press that the Guinean government on 13th January 2025 informed the government of Sierra Leone of a vehicle belonging to the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Conakry to have been impounded by Guinean authorities.
He said the driver and another occupant in the vehicle are being held on suspicion of possession of substance suspected to be cocaine.
“In light of the serious development the government of Sierra Leone urgently recalled Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Guinea, Mr. Alimamy Bangura to Freetown to provide a full account of the incident, the Minister said.
Minister Kabba noted that full investigation into the incident has commenced.
“The government of Sierra Leone is collaborating with the Guinean authorities are currently working together on this matter and anyone found culpable of breaking Sierra Leonean and international drug trafficking laws will face the full force of the law,” said Minister Kabba.
The vehicle arrested accordingly to information, was carrying seven suitcases with substances suspected to be cocaine, and two thousand dollar cash. Report about Ambassador Bangura being under house arrest was refuted by the minister noting that Mr. Bangura is free to move and goes to work every day.
The driver and another Sierra Leonean national apprehended are currently in Guinean custody and that the two individuals are now helping the Guinean authority with investigation.
On 31st December 2024, Guinean authorities, arrested a Sierra Leonean Embassy vehicle containing seven suitcases all having substances alleged to be cocaine. Since the arrest and impounding of the vehicle, the Sierra Leone authority was only informed on the 13th January 2025. The vehicle according to information was coming from Freetown only and was arrested in Guinea.
It is still not clear when the Ambassador will return to Sierra Leone but from all indication the Ambassador will soon return to brief the government on the situation.
This incident from all indication is a source of embarrassment for the government, coming just over a month after a diplomatic incident sparked by the deportation of Sierra Leonean nationals living in Guinea. Sierra Leonean living in Guinea a month ago wake up with disturbances on deportation as a result of an operation by Guinean security forces meant to rid the capital, Conakry off drugs and crimes.
An estimated 200 Sierra Leoneans were detained and later forced or deported. Investigation into the matter continues.
By Mohamed Konneh
The government of Sierra Leone has confirmed the arrest of Embassy Vehicle in Guinea suspected of carrying substance alleged to be cocaine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Musa Kabba told a press conference on Thursday 16th January 2025.
Ambassador Alimamy Bangura
Minister Kabba also told journalists that the government has recalled the Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Guinea, Mr. Alimamy Bangura including the head of chancery.
This decision is as a result of government response to the arrest of the Sierra Leone Embassy vehicle and Driver in Guinea with suspected substance alleged to be cocaine.
Minister Kabba informed the press that the Guinean government on 13th January 2025 informed the government of Sierra Leone of a vehicle belonging to the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Conakry to have been impounded by Guinean authorities.
He said the driver and another occupant in the vehicle are being held on suspicion of possession of substance suspected to be cocaine.
“In light of the serious development the government of Sierra Leone urgently recalled Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Guinea, Mr. Alimamy Bangura to Freetown to provide a full account of the incident, the Minister said.
Minister Kabba noted that full investigation into the incident has commenced.
“The government of Sierra Leone is collaborating with the Guinean authorities are currently working together on this matter and anyone found culpable of breaking Sierra Leonean and international drug trafficking laws will face the full force of the law,” said Minister Kabba.
The vehicle arrested accordingly to information, was carrying seven suitcases with substances suspected to be cocaine, and two thousand dollar cash. Report about Ambassador Bangura being under house arrest was refuted by the minister noting that Mr. Bangura is free to move and goes to work every day.
The driver and another Sierra Leonean national apprehended are currently in Guinean custody and that the two individuals are now helping the Guinean authority with investigation.
On 31st December 2024, Guinean authorities, arrested a Sierra Leonean Embassy vehicle containing seven suitcases all having substances alleged to be cocaine. Since the arrest and impounding of the vehicle, the Sierra Leone authority was only informed on the 13th January 2025. The vehicle according to information was coming from Freetown only and was arrested in Guinea.
It is still not clear when the Ambassador will return to Sierra Leone but from all indication the Ambassador will soon return to brief the government on the situation.
This incident from all indication is a source of embarrassment for the government, coming just over a month after a diplomatic incident sparked by the deportation of Sierra Leonean nationals living in Guinea. Sierra Leonean living in Guinea a month ago wake up with disturbances on deportation as a result of an operation by Guinean security forces meant to rid the capital, Conakry off drugs and crimes.
An estimated 200 Sierra Leoneans were detained and later forced or deported. Investigation into the matter continues.
