By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has begun delivering immediate support to Sierra Leonean migrant returnees following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, an NCRA mobile team was deployed to the Old Lungi International Airport, where it issued free National Identity Cards and Birth Certificates to 145 Sierra Leonean returnees from Mauritania. The initiative represents the first implementation step under the new partnership, aimed at simplifying identity verification and supporting reintegration.
The returnees, assisted under IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program, funded by the European Union, had faced serious challenges abroad due to economic instability and border restrictions across the Sahel. Without proper identification on their return, many would also encounter difficulties accessing healthcare, education, banking and other essential services.
By providing valid identity documents on arrival, the NCRA has ensured that beneficiaries can immediately enroll in social support programs, seek employment and access public and private services.
Speaking during the exercise, NCRA Director General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, described the partnership as a vital step in restoring dignity and opportunity for returnees.
“This collaboration guarantees that Sierra Leoneans coming back home are not only welcomed but also empowered with the legal tools needed to rebuild their lives,” he said, stressing that the effort supports President Julius Maada Bio’s agenda of inclusive governance.
The newly signed MoU builds on earlier cooperation, including a 2024 agreement with IOM that enabled more than 2,000 Sierra Leoneans to secure identity documentation.
Some of the returnees expressed deep appreciation for the swift support received. Many noted that having official documents immediately upon arrival gave them renewed hope of starting afresh.
This first phase targets over 1,000 beneficiaries as part of a broader effort to combat statelessness, expand national ID coverage and strengthen social inclusion. The exercise also reinforces NCRA’s commitment to ensuring that all Sierra Leoneans, whether at home or returning from abroad, are fully recognized and integrated into national systems.
