Samuel Kallon 
By Ragan M Conteh
Hon. Abdul Kargbo, leader of the opposition in parliament has stated Sierra Leone’s embarrassment has continued unabated. He said never in the country’s history have we witnessed such a shameful and deeply troubling pattern of events that so recklessly tarnish our country’s image before the world.
He said for the first time in Sierra Leone’s history, bags of cocaine have been discovered in an official government vehicle belonging to the embassy in Guinea.
He said this single act alone has shaken the very foundation of our nation’s diplomatic credibility.
Our embassies, he said, which are meant to represent the honour and integrity of Sierra Leone, are now being mentioned in the same breath as international drug trafficking, a stain that will take years to clean if decisive action is not taken immediately.
The MP said equally disturbing is the shocking revelation that a world-wanted drug lord is in possession of a Sierra Leonean passport, bearing one of our local names. This is not an isolated incident, he added. Reports have emerged of another drug trafficker arrested in UAE and extradited to Turkey, also carrying a Sierra Leonean passport.
He said one is left to wonder, how many more international criminals have been illegally granted Sierra Leonean nationality. How many of our diplomatic and immigration systems have been compromised for personal gain?
According to Hon. Kargbo, this situation has not only exposed our nation to ridicule, but has also raised serious questions about the integrity of our passport issuance process, our law enforcement institutions, and the moral standing of our leadership.
He alluded that the Sierra Leonean passport, once a symbol of national pride and identity, is now becoming a tool for criminal syndicates who exploit our weaknesses for their own gain.
Despite multiple international requests for the extradition of a known drug lord, Sierra Leone continues to harbour him and his cartel, providing what is clearly a safe haven for organized crime. He pointed out that this is deliberate complicity, a calculated betrayal of the people, and the worst form of disgrace a government can bring upon its citizens.
He stated that it sends a dangerous message to the world that Sierra Leone is a country where impunity thrives and criminals find comfort under official protection.
This is, without question, the worst disgrace any government can bring upon its people. It is a national crisis that demands transparency, accountability, and the immediate restoration of Sierra Leone’s integrity on the global stage. The citizens of this country deserve better.
“Our flag must not be associated with drugs, deceit, and diplomatic shame,” he said.
He further stated that Sierra Leone must rise again, with leadership that upholds dignity, protects our reputation, and defends the honour of our green, white, and blue.
“Our beloved nation deserves nothing less” he said.
