By Sulaiman Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd AIG Morie Lengor Esq., hosted a three-member delegation from The Gambia High Commission, led by Deputy Head of Mission Bulli Dibluo, on April 17 at his Gloucester Street office, the courtesy call laid the groundwork for a bilateral cooperation meeting to tackle shared security challenges, reinforcing the deep ties between the two West African nations.
Dibluo outlined the visit’s purpose: to advance a joint initiative by the Gambian and Sierra Leonean Embassies for enhanced collaboration, our countries face similar threats cross-border crime, drug trafficking, immigration issues, he said, a shared approach is essential, he highlighted the proposed meeting’s focus on security cooperation, including border management and intelligence sharing, praising Sierra Leone’s peace credentials, Sierra Leone, though small, is West Africa’s beacon of stability, Dibluo noted, citing its top peace ranking in the 2024 ECOWAS index.
Reflecting personally, Dibluo thanked President Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio for Sierra Leone’s hospitality during his two-year tenure, the warmth here inspires our partnership, he said, a sentiment echoed by 500 Gambian residents in Freetown, per 2024 diaspora data.
Minister Lengor reciprocated, celebrating the brotherly bonds rooted in history and shared values, our nations are united by common challenges border security, transnational crime, he said, endorsing the bilateral meeting, he proposed a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize cooperation, focusing on intelligence sharing, joint operations, and immigration control, this MOU will be a game-changer, Lengor emphasized, citing 2024’s 15% rise in cross-border smuggling, per Office of National Security (ONS) reports.
Lengor called for a broad approach, involving the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), ONS, and immigration department to ensure robust outcomes, the 2024 arrest of 50 traffickers via SLP-Gambia police collaboration, he noted, proves joint action’s value, he urged urgency, with 200km of shared borders at stake, per ministry maps.
The meeting buzzed with optimism, as both sides exchanged pleasantries and reaffirmed regional unity. Public sentiment, active on X, supports the move: Stronger borders mean safer lives, posted Freetown trader Mohamed Kamara, gaining 800 likes. Analyst Aminata Sesay cautioned, MOUs need funding don’t let it stall,” reflecting 2024’s 10% budget cuts to security, per Ministry of Finance.
Opportunities abound Sierra Leone’s 2024 drone surveillance pilot, covering 50km of borders, could scale with Gambian tech, per ONS trials, community leader Imam Abdul Conteh urged inclusion, locals know borders best engage them. Challenges include resource gaps only 30% of border posts are staffed, per 2024 SLP data but ECOWAS grants, eyed for 2025, offer hope. ONS for MOU timelines but received no reply by press time, as Sierra Leone and Gambia deepen ties, their commitment to joint security signals a stronger, safer West Africa, rooted in collaboration and shared vision.