Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has called on Sierra Leoneans in the United States to deepen their partnership with the Government in addressing national challenges, while outlining plans to improve consular services, strengthen diplomatic representation and mobilize diaspora expertise for national development.
The Minister made the appeal during a Town Hall meeting held on Thursday, 1 October 2026, at the White Oak Community Center in Maryland. The engagement was jointly organized by the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. and Berny’s Hope Foundation-USA.
The meeting formed part of the Minister’s engagements with Sierra Leoneans in the United States. Recent reporting on his US engagements confirms his emphasis on diaspora expertise, investment, professional networks and more responsive diplomatic representation.
Addressing the gathering, Mohamed Rahman Swaray thanked Sierra Leoneans abroad for their continued support to the country and stressed that many of the challenges facing Sierra Leone transcend political, regional and ethnic differences. He said collaboration between the Government and the diaspora could provide practical solutions to some of those difficulties.
Speaking on US visa restrictions affecting Sierra Leoneans, the Foreign Minister described the issue as a national concern and urged the diaspora to approach it beyond political considerations. He said the restrictions have affected Sierra Leoneans seeking educational opportunities, attending international conferences and travelling to visit relatives.
Mohamed Rahman Swaray assured the gathering that the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. continues to engage relevant US authorities, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is working with the US Embassy in Freetown to address outstanding immigration and diplomatic matters.
He encouraged Sierra Leoneans in the United States to engage their representatives in the US Congress on issues affecting their country, stressing that constructive diaspora advocacy could complement diplomatic efforts by the Government.
On national cohesion, the Minister said President Julius Maada Bio remains committed to promoting unity and referenced the recent return of former President Ernest Bai Koroma to Sierra Leone. He maintained that building national cohesion requires contributions from Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.
Mohamed Rahman Swaray also outlined aspects of his 100-day agenda at the Ministry, with particular attention to improving services for Sierra Leoneans overseas. He disclosed plans for a pilot programme aimed at addressing difficulties surrounding visa services, passport renewals and Emergency Travel Certificates.
According to the Minister, digitization will form an important part of the reforms, reducing the need for Sierra Leoneans living far from diplomatic missions to travel long distances for basic consular services. He also encouraged citizens abroad to register with Sierra Leonean embassies and missions to make it easier for them to receive assistance during emergencies.
“Professionalism, accountability and effective service to our citizens must remain at the heart of that work, alongside advancing Sierra Leone’s economic and diplomatic interests,” the Minister said in a separate engagement with staff of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Washington, D.C.
He recognized the Embassy staff for their role in representing Sierra Leone, strengthening bilateral relations and serving Sierra Leoneans in the United States, adding that diplomatic missions are central to building a responsive and results-driven Foreign Service.
Mohamed Rahman Swaray further said Sierra Leone’s diplomatic missions should play a stronger role in attracting credible foreign investment. He proposed that embassies help profile prospective investors and connect viable business proposals with appropriate Ministries and institutions in Sierra Leone.
The Minister also appealed for greater diaspora involvement in addressing challenges facing Sierra Leone’s overseas missions, including the condition of Government-owned properties abroad. He disclosed that the Government is working towards a framework that could enable skilled Sierra Leoneans overseas to volunteer their expertise in support of national development.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, who also attended the Town Hall meeting, addressed questions relating to dual citizenship, European Union support, land reforms and other legal matters raised by members of the diaspora.
The Town Hall meeting was attended by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Amara Sowa, who introduced the Foreign Minister, while the Chief Executive Officer of Berny’s Hope Foundation, Dr. Bernadette Sanko, moderated the engagement.
Also present were Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alan Logan; Deputy Director General for Policy, Momodu Wurie; and Director of Consular Services, Mariama Jalloh.
Concluding his engagements, Mohamed Rahman Swaray thanked Embassy staff and members of the diaspora for their service and participation, pledging to work with them to strengthen Sierra Leone’s diplomatic presence, international partnerships and engagement with citizens across the United States.
