Foreign Minister Timothy Kabba Identifies Government Official for U.S. Visa Overstay

Foreign Minister Timothy Kabba Identifies Government Official for U.S. Visa Overstay

Sierra Leone's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Musa Kabba, has publicly disclosed the name of a senior government official who has violated the terms of their United States visa by overstaying, an issue he asserts is a contributing factor to the current travel restrictions affecting many Sierra Leonean citizens.

Minister Kabba revealed that Abubakarr Sillah, Assistant Director of Labour and Employment at the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, utilized an official passport for travel to the U.S. on August 8, 2025, to attend the Diaspora Investment Conference in Maryland. Mr. Sillah has not returned to Sierra Leone following the conclusion of the event.

"The U.S. Government officially notified us that this official did not return after the conference," Minister Kabba stated, underscoring the severity of this breach of trust and immigration law.

The Minister cautioned that the Ministry intends to commence publicly naming individuals who persistently violate visa regulations. He emphasized that this measure is crucial for maintaining the integrity of Sierra Leoneans’ international travel access.

Minister Kabba elaborated on the detrimental consequences of repeated overstays, noting that despite the suspension of certain U.S. visa categories, some citizens continue to disregard the rules, negatively impacting their compatriots. "We receive daily calls and messages from students facing delayed admissions and families selected for the Diversity Visa program whose interviews have been disrupted," he explained. "These are genuine aspirations being compromised due to the actions of a few individuals."

The Minister expressed confidence in resolving the situation through ongoing diplomatic dialogue with the U.S. Embassy in Freetown. He assured the public of Sierra Leone's steadfast commitment to collaborating with the United States to reinstate full visa access while strictly adhering to lawful compliance.

Notwithstanding these challenges, Minister Kabba affirmed the enduring strength of the country's bilateral relationship with the United States. He urged all officials and citizens to rigorously uphold visa regulations, issuing a warning that additional names may be released should further violations occur.