The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has suspended four of its officials and ordered their investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the alleged misuse of official ministry documents for US visa processing.
In a Press Release dated 12th October 2026, the Ministry said its Investigative Committee has submitted its report on the September 2023 visa-processing exercise that was reported by Hon. Mohamed Sidie Tunis and related matters.
The Committee found “deficiencies in administrative and consular procedures, document verification and authorisation, supervisory oversight, and institutional controls.”
After reviewing the report, Management approved interim administrative measures and has directed the ACC to investigate the report and supporting evidence within its statutory mandate.
The following officials have been *suspended from duty with immediate effect:*
1. Mr. Alieu Badara Mansaray – Head of Chancery, Embassy of Sierra Leone in Algeria, former head of the Consular Unit at the time of the reported incident
2. Mr. Thomas Alfred Sengeh – Acting Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
3. Ms. Isatu Joelyn Jalloh – Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and
4. Ms. Shamit Aminata Tarawallie – Second Secretary, Embassy of Sierra Leone in Ireland
The Ministry also approved the immediate withdrawal of Mr. Mansaray and Ms. Tarawallie from their overseas postings.
Management stressed that these measures do not constitute findings of criminal wrongdoing or final determinations of individual responsibility, and that further action will depend on the ACC’s findings, applicable law, and decisions by competent authorities.
The case came to light after Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, Member of Parliament for Pujehun District and former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament (2020-2024), complained that he was blocked from obtaining a US visa.
According to Hon. Tunis, officials at the US Embassy in Freetown told him that a Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in September 2023 had requested US visas for him and a person identified as Chabatan Bah, who was described as his Executive Assistant.
Hon. Tunis, who has been in Parliament since 2002 and previously served as Leader of Government Business, has vehemently denied knowing or ever employing the said individual, and called for a full investigation into how his name was used. Reports indicate the individual allegedly obtained the visa, travelled to the United States, and did not return to Sierra Leone, leading to the US Embassy flagging Hon. Tunis as ineligible.
Ministry To Apologise To Hon. Tunis
The Ministry also said it has directed that a formal written apology be issued to Hon. Mohamed Sidie Tunis “for procedural failures within the Ministry’s systems and any resulting prejudice.”
The Ministry says it is strengthening its administrative and consular safeguards and will cooperate fully with the ACC. Further public updates will be provided as appropriate.
“The Ministry remains committed to accountability, due process, and the integrity of Sierra Leone’s diplomatic and consular functions,” the release ended.
