By Alusine Fullah
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration the Government of Sierra Leone has airlifted one hundred and seven (107) Sierra Leoneans who have been stranded from Niger for the past years or months after failing to cross over to Europe in search of a better life. Among those returnees: 68 men, 25 women, 8 girls and 6 boys including an 11 month-old baby. Upon their arrival at the Freetown International Airport, they were received by different dignitaries like: the minister of Social Welfare, Presidential Adviser on Youth, Commissioner from NACSA, Head of Mission for IOM, etc.
The minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Melrose Karminty appreciated the leadership of IOM and went further to explain government’s effort in the reintegration of those repatriated Sierra Leoneans. She said: “I want to say kudos to IOM for such a fine gesture. As a government, we collaborated with IOM and intervened for a repatriation process which will safeguard and protect their human rights…the government President Bio has a bigger picture for our youths in this country…so we bring them home to help His Excellency the president for his five big game changer. Let us embrace and coddle them. They are one of us…as our mission is to transform the lives of vulnerable or underprivileged persons and families including young people…”
In his statement, the Head of Mission for IOM, Christos Christodoulides expressed his commitment in making sure Sierra Leone stranded migrants are always brought home. He went further also to admonish the returnees about drugs addition. He said: “As an organization we know our roles in making sure that migrants all over the world are protected and repatriated to their homes. The youth are very essential in any development. In that note, we did all humanly possible to make sure that these young people come back to Sierra Leone and help the government in its developmental projects…drugs addition is also another major problem migrants normally face, in that note IOM wants them to eschew from drugs addition.
According to Desmond Pessima, Presidential Adviser, “The youth are the engine for any country to develop. I am very elated today because I have seen my fellow Sierra Leoneans once again. As a government, we are going to provide social counselling and entrepreneurial skills for these returnees…these are our young people and we will never leave them to perish no matter the cost…”
Speaking to Amara D Foday, one of the returnees explained in tears about the excruciating pains he encountered during his voyage to Niger. He explained: “I never dream of coming back home…there is no breathing space. Every day is hell on us. Some of my friends were killed in front of me…I was very very lucking from that act. I spent two months in the police cell. Sometimes it would take two days without food. I want to take this opportunity to admonish all Sierra Leoneans to avoid this temple run. Temple run is hell. Today I am in seventh heaven because I am home.
Mariam Bonteh Kamara (she is seven month pregnant) narrated her ordeals to me: “As you can see I am pregnant. Pain is all over for this journey…for the past months I was in complete mess and pain. Today, I see and smell heaven. There is no place like home. Sierra Leoneans let us stay home and develop our country. Temple run is full of deaths…”
This is not the first time for the IOM and the Government of Sierra Leone to fully involve in such activity. For instance in 2017 and 2022 over 500 Sierra Leoneans were repatriated from different parts of the globe.
The International Organization for Migration is a United Nations agency that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including internally displaced persons, refugees and migrant workers.
