Internal Affairs Minister Morie Lengor in handshake with HE  BHC Josephine Gauld

The Minister of Internal Affairs, AIG (Rtd.) Morie Lengor Esq., on Friday, September 12, 2025, hosted the British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Josephine Gauld, for high-level talks on strengthening security cooperation. The meeting was held at the Ministry’s Gloucester Street office in Freetown.

Also in attendance was Mr. Christopher Howells, Political Secretary at the British High Commission. Discussions focused on a broad range of issues, including migration, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, border management, cybercrime, and the long-standing Yenga border dispute.

High Commissioner Gauld reaffirmed Britain’s interest in supporting Sierra Leone to address pressing security challenges, while exploring avenues for deeper collaboration.

In his response, Minister Lengor outlined the responsibilities of agencies and departments under the Ministry’s supervision, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency coordination in tackling national security concerns. He highlighted progress made in strengthening cooperation among security institutions, particularly in the fight against drug abuse.

Expressing grave concern over the growing impact of drug abuse on Sierra Leone’s youth, the Minister described it as a serious threat to the country’s future. He commended ongoing partnerships with international stakeholders to combat illicit drug trafficking and safeguard communities.

On the sensitive Yenga issue, Minister Lengor pointed to the recent ECOWAS fact-finding mission to Koindu, reaffirming the government’s commitment to a peaceful and diplomatic resolution. He also briefed the delegation on efforts to address irregular migration, noting ongoing collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to tackle its root causes.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Lengor acknowledged Britain’s longstanding support to Sierra Leone, particularly in peacekeeping operations and police deployments. He appealed for additional assistance in staff training and capacity-building across administration, policy, coordination, and other areas vital to the effective functioning of the Ministry’s agencies and departments.

Credit Internal Affairs Ministry Media Team

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 16th September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)