Harry Leijdekkers, Brother of the Netherlands Fugitive Drug Kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, Re-arrested in Türkiye

According to Dutch and Belgian publications, the brother of fugitive drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, 'Bolle Jos,' identified as Harry Leijdekkers, 49, was re-arrested in Turkey in May 2025, suspected of money laundering linked to Bolle Jos's drug trafficking organization.

Turkish authorities released photos of Alleged Abdullah Alp Üstün and drug organized crime group member Hasan Lala, who were captured in the United Arab Emirates with Sierra Leone Diplomatic passports, according to sources.

Harry Leijdekkers was detained in Turkey following an extradition request from the Netherlands.

The older brother of the wanted cocaine trafficker, Bolle Jos Leijdekkers. Harry Leijdekkers is expected to be extradited to the Netherlands soon, according to well-informed sources. He was scheduled to serve an 18-month prison sentence for weapons possession from a 2019 conviction.

Harry was arrested in Turkey in December 2023 during a manhunt for Bolle Jos. He was unexpectedly released from custody by a judge in April. However, after an objection from the Turkish public prosecutor, he has now been recaptured while awaiting extradition to the Netherlands, according to sources from a newspaper.

The Dutch authorities have been searching for Jos Leijdekkers, also known as 'Bolle Jos,' for several years. He is believed to be under the protection of high-ranking corrupt government officials and security forces in Sierra Leone and has been photographed at official events there. Leijdekkers is considered a significant figure in the international cocaine trade and was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison for drug trafficking last year, along with members of his organization.

The West African country has become a prominent narco-state, covering up for an international cocaine trafficker.

According to 'AD' and 'Follow the Money,' Bolle Jos is in a relationship with the president of Sierra Leone's daughter and is believed to have had a child with the daughter.

Teens unable to walk, mothers with rash-covered babies: How the drug kush is ruining lives

Kush has shaken this part of West Africa to its core - not just Sierra Leone but Liberia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and the Gambia. It is highly addictive, ever-evolving, and affordable, with ingredients to make it sometimes shipped in from the UK.

Yousra Elbagir

Africa correspondent @YousraElbagir

Thursday 3 July 2025 16:48, UK

The highly addictive drug creating 'zombies' in Africa

A red shipping container sits on the tarmac of Sierra Leone's Queen Elizabeth II Quay, under swinging cranes and towering stacks of similar steel boxes.

This one will likely be parked at the port permanently. The contents are suspected to be the ingredients of kush, the deadly synthetic drug ravaging Sierra Leone.

Sky News was given access to the container two weeks after it was seized.

"Preliminary testing has shown that these items are kush ingredients," says the secretary of the Ports Authority, Martin George, as he points to the marked contraband in massive multicoloured Amazon UK bags and a large blue vat of strongly smelling acetone.

He adds: "Shipped from the United Kingdom."

The container was selected for screening based on its origin. The UK is with the EU and South America on the list of places considered high risk for the import of illicit substances, fuelling the drug trade in Sierra Leone and the region.

Kush has shaken this part of West Africa to its core - not just Sierra Leone but Liberia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and the Gambia. It is highly addictive, ever-evolving, and affordable.

The sprayed grey-green marshmallow leaves are rolled in a joint like marijuana and are extremely dangerous. Samples of the drug tested by researchers contained nitazenes, one of the deadliest synthetic drugs in the world.

"It was a shock to find them in around half of the kush samples we tested, as at that point there was no public evidence they had reached Africa," says Lucia Bird Ruiz-Benitez de Lugo from Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) who independently tested kush from Sierra Leone.

"Nitazenes are among the deadliest drugs available on retail drug markets across the world - with one nitazene in kush in Freetown being 25 times stronger than fentanyl," she added.

The shocking effects of its potency can be seen on the bodies of young men and women around Freetown. Teenagers with sores eating away at their legs, unable to walk. Mothers who smoked during pregnancy carrying sickly rash-covered infants. Young men drooling from the intense high and slumped over while still standing.

They are not the fringes of Sierra Leonean society but a growing demographic of kush users searching for an escape. People riddled by poverty and unemployment, living in the dark corners of a capital city which has endured a brutal civil war and Ebola epidemic in the last three decades alone.

An entire community of men and women of all ages is held together by kush addiction under a main road that cuts through the heart of Freetown.

They call themselves the "Under de Bridge family" and live in the shadows of the overpass, surrounded by the sewage and rubbish discarded by their neighbours.

One of them tells us the harsh conditions drive him to keep smoking kush even after losing more than 10 friends to the drug - killed by large infected sores and malnutrition.

Nearby, 17-year-old Ibrahim is pained by growing sores and says the drug is destroying his life.

"This drug is evil. This drug is bad. I don't know why they gave me this drug in this country. Our brothers are suffering. Some are dying, some have sores on their feet. This drug brings destruction," he says.

"Look at me - just because of this drug. I have sores on my feet."

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Most Read from YAME Digital: SIERRA LEONE

Netherlands’ Most Wanted Cocaine Kingpin Hiding in Sierra Leone

** Footnote ** Opening large nightclubs in Freetown, Sierra Leone, for the top 1 percent of wealthy individuals is not the solution to the lack of opportunities for the youth. What Sierra Leone needs is industrial-scale investments in agriculture and the manufacturing sectors.

Sierra Leone: Small Country, Massive Suffering: How did it all fall apart?

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Across a stream of sewage, a young mother expecting her second child cries from fear and anguish when I ask her about the risk of smoking while pregnant.

"Yes, I know the risk," Elizabeth says, nodding.

"I'll keep smoking while I live here but I have nowhere else to go. It helps me forget my worries and challenges."

Life under the bridge is disrupted from its sleepiness by a yell. A plain-clothed police officer is chasing a child accused of selling kush.

The lucrative industry is absorbing all age groups and spreading rapidly to nearby countries - even passing through three different borders to reach the smallest nation in mainland Africa, The Gambia.

Police hunt for kush dealers in West Africa—The Video

Gambian law enforcement has cracked down on spreading kush use with regular zero tolerance drug raids. The small population is extremely vulnerable and the country is yet to open its first rehabilitation centre. Rising xenophobia seems to be mostly directed at Sierra Leonean immigrants who they blame for smuggling kush into the country.

We spoke to one man from Sierra Leone who was arrested for dealing kush in The Gambia and spent a year in prison. He says that though he feels saddened other Sierra Leoneans are being alienated as a result of the trade he was involved in, he has no remorse for "following orders".

"Do I feel guilty for selling it? No, I don't feel guilty. I'm not using my money to buy the kush, people always give me money to get kush for them," he tells Sky News anonymously.

"I needed a job. I needed to take care of my son."

Gambia's hardline approach has been credited with driving its local kush industry underground rather than eradicating it but is still hailed as the most impactful strategy in the region. Sierra Leone's government told Sky News it needs help from surrounding countries and the UK to tackle the sprawling crisis.

Transnational crime experts like Lucia Bird Ruiz-Benitez de Lugo see the rise of kush as part of a global synthetic drugs network that requires a multi-national response.

"Coordinated action is urgently needed across the supply chain, particularly focused on nitazenes - the deadliest kush component," says Ms Bird.

"Our research indicated that kush components are being imported to West Africa from countries in Asia and Europe, likely including the UK. All countries in the supply chain bear responsibility to act to mitigate the devastating and expanding impacts of kush across West Africa, a region with scarce resources to respond."

SKY NEWS' AFRICA CORRESPONDENT WINS AWARD

• Yousra Elbagir has been named a winner of the International Women's Media Foundation 2025 Courage in Journalism Awards.
• She has chronicled the current war in Sudan, which has displaced more than 13 million people, including her own family.
• Recently, Elbagir led the only television news crew to document the fall of Goma - the regional capital of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo - to M23 rebels backed by Rwanda.
• In the past year, her reports from the frontlines of Sudan's war have broadcast massive scenes of devastation inside a global humanitarian crisis.
• She said, "Our job as journalists is to reveal the truth and inform the public. Sometimes, it's about exposing the misdeeds of the powerful. Other times, it's about capturing the scale and depth of human suffering. Our job is also getting more difficult: Information wars and contempt for legacy media are growing by the day, which makes our job even more important."
• Elbagir added: "It is an honor to receive the IWMF Courage Award and join the ranks of such incredible women journalists. The courage to share the truth in our polarised world is at the heart of public service journalism, and to be recognized for it is truly affirming - it gives me faith that people are listening."

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“KUSH na Salone: _dis borbor start e yone quick. SaLone na sad case Man!”

— Source: In Video

KUSH na Salone: _dis borbor start e yone quick. SaLone na sad case Man! pic.twitter.com/YjzXVsAA6T

— Yame.space (@SpaceYame) July 19, 2025

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“Youth Empowerment Advocacy | ‘Leh we Fix SaLone: One Youth at a Time.’ Educational Videos!”

— Source: Dr. Prince Hycy Bull

Sierra Leone's Problems Are Compounded by Political Design

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We have essentially prepared our own downfall and set the stage for our collective destruction. Simply put, we are witnessing the collapse of something that was once considered powerful and beautiful.

We seem to tolerate corruption, appoint corrupt people to government positions, and expect better results. How stupid are we?

Our nation suffers under the weight of greed, corruption, tribalism, political interference, and manipulation.

Sierra Leone: Experience the Breathtaking Beauty of a Sunset in May 2025

The sky transforms into a breathtaking canvas of vibrant colors—deep oranges, fiery reds, and soft pinks blending seamlessly into the fading blue.

This beautiful scenery is set in Freetown around 6:30 PM—Imagine standing on the golden sands as the sun begins its slow descent.

The moment captures the stunning harmony of nature and vibrant culture, powerfully showcasing the warmth and resilience of the Sierra Leonean people.

Despite Sierra Leone's abundant natural resources, cultural heritage, and substantial mining activities, many citizens wonder why these advantages have not resulted in widespread economic benefits for the nation.

'What is eating the bean seed is within the bean seed.'

The issue lies in the fact that a significant number of individuals seem to lack a true sense of conscience. Day after day, it is our leaders who deny the people what is justly theirs. They consistently act against the interests of the very citizens they are meant to serve, prioritizing their agendas over the population's well-being.

They work against the best interests of the people, never for their benefit, but always to their detriment.

Why aren’t the activities of these mining companies benefiting our national economy?

One could argue that the real challenge lies not only in sharing the benefits of mining more equitably but also in ensuring that the growth it generates leads to tangible improvements in people's everyday lives. However, this issue is more complex due to factors such as greed, corruption, tribalism, political interference, and manipulation.

Dodgy mining agreements, corruption, and political interference have undermined our government and ministerial agencies responsible for regulation and revenue collection, allowing foreign mining companies to exploit our resources.

Minerals in Sierra Leone are being looted with impunity.

The way the government is entering into agreements with foreign companies to exploit the country's mineral resources is troubling.

Mining companies come to our town armed with a cadre of lawyers and a pre-prepared mining agreement that is designed to exploit our community. Are we really paying attention to the fine print, and do we have equal representation at the negotiation table? Let's be honest. ‘I doubt anyone in government actually cares.’

Questionable mining agreements signed by previous and current governments allow mining companies to evade paying substantial taxes.

Four out of five mines in Sierra Leone—Koidu Holdings, African Minerals, Sierra Mineral Holdings 1, and Sierra Rutile—are owned through intermediaries based in tax havens like Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands.

Despite rising mineral prices, mining companies in Sierra Leone rarely report profits, resulting in low corporate income tax revenues.

A critical report titled "Not Sharing the Loot" was published in 2011 by the Danish development organization DanWatch in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s civil society group, the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD). This investigation focused on the social responsibility, tax payments, and corporate structures within Sierra Leone's mining industry. Since the report's release, there have been few, if any, changes in the government's operational methods.

“Iron ore extracted from the Tonkolili District, Gbaray Junction, and Lunsar by the CTC Chinese Group and Marampa Mines Company Ltd.”

— Source: In Video

‘Beyond the Gravy’

A cargo train consisting of 90 fully loaded wagons carrying iron ore extracted from the Tonkolili District, Gbaray Junction, and Lunsar by the CTC Chinese Group and Marampa Mines Company Ltd.

This situation cannot be considered development; instead, it represents a coordinated plunder by a select few individuals who are enriching themselves while 8 million citizens suffer in extreme poverty.

To ensure that the government receives a fair share of the value derived from underground resources, it is essential to implement effective fiscal policies and establish the capacity to monitor the mining sector. This includes the verification of production, exports, purchases, and financial transactions of large multinational corporations.

Dysfunction prevails. Those in power prioritize personal vendettas and flattery over effective governance.

We steer clear of conversations about governance due to the inherent risks involved. It is also because many of us benefit from the existing corrupt, directionless order.

Ask yourself! Sierra Leone. What about the ordinary citizens who are suffering? Consider the workers who toil all month for barely enough pay to get by, the families struggling to make ends meet, the market women facing daily challenges, and the underpaid teachers and nurses.

Think of the millions of unemployed youths who are endlessly searching for jobs and continue to lose hope. What about the families losing their mothers and babies in hospitals due to a lack of basic amenities like electricity and clean water? The shortage of medical equipment and medicine— is this the utopia you envisioned 64 years on?

It’s time to demand transparency and accountability in Sierra Leone. A renaissance is needed. Don’t be a pawn in a political theater driven by greed, corruption, power, and control.

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

“Justice-Based Leadership: Power will not protect on the Day of Judgment.”

— Source

“When Power Ends, Legacy Speaks!”

— Source: The Moral of the Story | @SolutionCenter | June 16, 2025

Sierra Leone is not a learning ground for politicians, not because there are no lessons to be learned, but because too many refuse to learn.

Generation after generation, our leaders walk the same well-worn path: rise to power, gather followers, accumulate wealth, enjoy praise, and then fall into silence, isolation, or disgrace.

Let us call names, not out of malice, but out of truth:

Siaka Stevens: Once feared and revered, left behind children whose names have faded from national relevance, no political dynasty, no lasting legacy.

Joseph Saidu Momoh: Removed by a coup, left no structure, no enduring contribution—only memories of misrule.

The NPRC boys: Young and ambitious, took the nation by storm. Today, many live ordinary lives, forgotten, wandering, their moment long gone.

Pa Ahmad Tejan Kabbah: Hailed for peace and democratic transition, died in silence, abandoned in a urine-soaked room, with no security, no honour guard, no national gratitude. His children died one by one, not from curses, but from self-inflicted nothingness. His family name was erased quietly.

Ernest Bai Koroma: Not long ago, he was crowned “West Africa’s best” and lauded for his connections, wealth, and grip on power. Now, he cannot even freely enter his own country. His wife, brothers, and children were left adrift. His house sits, untouched. His voice silenced. His access to loved ones and loyalists cut off.

So, what is the moral of the story?

• Power is temporary

• Wealth is deceptive

• Praise is shallow

• And history is brutal

In Sierra Leone, 95% of former politicians go financially or morally bankrupt within three years of leaving office. The same people they fed, clothed, and sponsored during their reign disappear when the title is gone. What remains? Only legacy for good or for shame.

To today’s politicians and our loved SLPP brothers and sisters, especially those who think “this time will be different.”

Let history humble you: Your convoy will vanish. Your phone will stop ringing. Your praise singers will find a new master. And the people you once ignored will remember how you made them feel.

You may hold the flag now, but you will not hold it forever. And when it falls from your hands, you will either be remembered with gratitude or with contempt.

So serve well. Serve with integrity. Build people, not just portfolios. Leave systems, not scars.

Because when power ends and it always does, legacy speaks. And if your own truth doesn’t expose you, time will.

If time delays, death will write the final verdict as I have done here for Late Pa Kabba and others who have gone.

And if even death stays long enough, you will live to watch your name rot in the mouth of those who once praised you.

A word to the wise is enough, maybe not. ‘We dae watch from near and far.’

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'all man don turn mumu'

“Innocent Kuti - Mumu”

“Sierra Leone: KUSH victims’ death en de homeless na salone den dae put de body na resbag en lef na treet lek die-dog. Sad state! ”

— Courtesy

Developing Situation at Kissi Teng as Heavily Armed Guinean Soldiers Occupy Border Point

BBC correspondent Umaru Fofana in Freetown provided insight into the history and current border incursion.

Tensions in the eastern Sierra Leonean chiefdom of Kissi Teng have escalated as heavily armed Guinean forces have taken control of multiple border crossing points, including the long-disputed Yenga area. This aggressive maneuver raises serious concerns for the region's stability and security.

The move by the Guinean soldiers has restricted civilian movement and triggered widespread security concerns as residents were reportedly caught off guard by the sudden military presence, and the closure of several key border crossings — the Sierra Leone Immigration Base in Pengu Bengu, Sokoma, Kpongoma, Payluan, Kpemalu, and Kpengbakordu.

What happened to the Guinea, Sierra Leone Border over the years, and how it manifested in the 2023 takeover of Yenga Town by Guinean Soldiers as Sierra Leone soldiers watched helplessly.

Protecting our land borders – a priority for parliament.

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READ: Footnote by Victor Ako Mengot, Consultant on ECOWAS Trade Facilitation & Joint Border Post Security & Management.

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Local officials and residents alike expressed shock and confusion over the sudden turn of events and called on the government to act swiftly to protect the lives and rights of affected Sierra Leonean citizens. 

The lack of a solid border and border security apparatus allows for cross-border incursion and illicit actions, such as the drug and arms trade, and human trafficking.

The Yenga diplomacy during the Maada Bio presidency, and earlier on.

What came of this meeting?

“UPDATE: May 5, 2025: Sylvia Blyden’s comments on the situation in Yenga and the response from the Sierra Leone government. Listen!”

— Social and political implications: The SLPP Government propaganda and lies.

It can be recalled that there has been controversy over Yenga in recent times due to the Guinean occupation of that Sierra Leone territory.

Meanwhile, Dr. Blyden's broadcast gave a detailed historical perspective about Yenga from 1994 to date. Below is the correct factual timeline of events concerning the Guinean occupation of Yenga according to Dr. Blyden:

• 1994-2012: Yenga was under Guinean military occupation.

• 2012-2020: Yenga was totally free of Guinean occupation, especially after 2013 when the last Guinean war tank was finally removed.

• 2020-Date: Yenga is back under Guinean military occupation.

Towards the end of April 2025, there was a recent upsurge in instabilities within Yenga that led to a host of vulnerable residents fleeing from Yenga due to aggression from the foreign Guinean troops.

©️Awareness Times Newspaper (06/05/25)

WARNING to the Ministry of Information & Civic Education (MoICE), Chernoh Alpha Bah, to immediately retract their claim that citizens who fled can safely go back to Yenga because, according to the LIARS of this LYING GOVERNMENT, the

_'...Sierra Leone Army is inside Yenga now and will be able to secure them from Guinean soldiers.'_

That's a shameless LIE from a Government that lacks self-respect, as displayed by their official Spokespersons.

Guinea Military Barracks in YENGA | COURTESY: Awareness Times: May 24, 2024 archive

Sierra Leone State House in Flames

State House | April 12, 2025

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FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE: State House Inferno. On April 12, 2025, the last bastion of Sierra Leone civilization was up in smoke.

Situated in the heart of Freetown on State Avenue in Tower Hill, the State House serves as the official residence of the president of Sierra Leone. It also houses the offices of the president, senior presidential staff, and associates.

The fire broke out at approximately 4:00 p.m. today on the 4th floor of the West Wing, engulfing the offices of Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella and Press Secretary Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, according to initial reports.

The National Fire Force and law enforcement agencies were notified. Four hours later, the fire was brought under control and an investigation is currently in progress. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Please refresh the page later for more updates.

The Ministry of Information and Civic Education issued a statement and urging the public to remain calm.

“The Ministry of Information and Civic Education.”

— Public Notice

Ironically, Julius Maada Bio, the President of the Republic, was abroad attending a three-day forum from April 11 to April 14. This forum, the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025), was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.

See Something, Say Something!

“The rampant vandalism of government infrastructure in Sierra Leone has led to the ‘Adopt a Community’ initiative: Neighborhood Crime Watch.”

— Source: Courtesy, Mr. Foday Alimamy Narby | Columbus, OH

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As the fires sweep through Sierra Leone with increasing intensity, it is alarming to see the absence of any effective safety measures and public awareness to protect communities and prevent further devastation.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the reckless behavior of certain individuals led to the death of one person and property damage at the Shalimar Building Fire in Waterloo, located on the outskirts of Freetown. This incident occurred around 1:00 AM on the night of Sunday|Monday, April 13-14.

The Video and Interview, the morning after:

Then, on the morning of Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a fire occurred at the complex of the 34 Military Hospital Medical Store — The Video.

In the early hours of Tuesday, April 15, 2023, a fire gutted the medical facility of the government '34 Military Hospital,' which is currently undergoing an upgrade. The facility houses medical supplies.

Information reaching this outlet is said to be under investigation.

This incident underscores the alarming rise in fire outbreaks throughout Sierra Leone, highlighting critical concerns about public safety, infrastructure resilience, and emergency preparedness.

“Information and Civic Education Minister Chernor Bar provided an update on the State House fire that occurred on Saturday, April 12, 2025.”

— Source: His Words | April 14, 2025

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

Sierra Leone on TIER 2 Orange — Travel Visa Sharply Restricted Visa — Draft List

“LATEST UPDATE: June 9, 2025: Travel Ban in Effect.”

— Source: US Embassy, Freetown, Sierra Leone

US Embassy, Freetown

In accordance with the presidential proclamation, the U.S. Embassy has suspended issuance of tourist, business, student, and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas (categories B, F, M, and J) to nationals of Sierra Leone and can only issue immigrant visas for immediate family members of U.S. Citizens (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) or adoption (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4) to nationals of Sierra Leone.

This proclamation does not revoke existing visas. If you already have a valid visa and use it lawfully, you may still travel to the United States and apply for entry at immigration.

We strongly encourage all travelers to use their visa as intended and to avoid possible penalties and deportation for overstays.

In accordance with the presidential proclamation, the U.S. Embassy has suspended issuance of tourist, business, student, and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas (categories B, F, M, and J) to nationals of Sierra Leone and can only issue immigrant visas for immediate family…

— USEmbassyFreetown (@USEmbFreetown) June 9, 2025

END JUNE 9, 2025 UPDATE

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“Trump signed a ban on travel to the US by nationals from 12 countries.”

— Source: UPDATED: Wednesday, May 4, 2025 | 8:45 PM EDT: The president made the final call on signing this proclamation after the antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, according to a White House official. He was considering it beforehand, but Sunday’s assault put it into motion faster.

“Trump signs ban on travel to the US from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen

There are an additional seven countries whose nationals face partial travel restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela

The White House says these "common sense restrictions" will "protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors."

The proclamation is the second time Trump has ordered a ban on travel from certain countries - he signed a similar order in 2017, during his first administration.

These common-sense restrictions are country-specific and include places that lack proper vetting, exhibit high visa overstay rates, or fail to share identity and threat information," the spokeswoman told the BBC's US partner CBS, ~ BBC News

Visa overstays are again presented as the key issue in the cases of Burundi, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Turkmenistan.

Also reported by media outlets in the US.

CNN Politics: Trump signs proclamation to ban travel from several countries

CNN — President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday evening to ban travel from several countries to the US, citing security risks.

The ban will fully restrict entry of nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, also known as Burma; Chad; the Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Haiti; Iran; Libya; Somalia; Sudan; and Yemen.

People from seven countries will have partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves US national interests.

The president made the final call on signing this proclamation after the antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, according to a White House official. He was considering it beforehand, but Sunday’s assault put it into motion faster.

The White House is touting the new president’s travel ban as “fulfilling” a campaign promise to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm.”

“President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors who want to come to our country and cause us harm. These commonsense restrictions are country-specific and include places that lack proper vetting, exhibit high visa overstay rates, or fail to share identity and threat information,” White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson wrote on X.

Trump said in a video posted Wednesday that new countries could be added to the travel ban as “threats emerge around the world.”

“The list is subject to revision based on whether material improvements are made. And likewise, new countries can be added as threats emerge around the world, but we will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm, and nothing will stop us from keeping America safe,” the president said.

The proclamation takes effect at 12:01 AM on June 9, according to the White House.

Wednesday’s proclamation comes less than five months after the president was inaugurated into office for his second term. On his first day in office, he issued an executive order directing cabinet members, including the secretary of state, to compile a list of countries “for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries.”

In his first term, Trump barred travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations from coming to the US, a policy that saw court challenges before President Joe Biden repealed it when he took office in 2021.

The barring of nationals from Afghanistan could impact Afghans who worked alongside the US during its two decades of war there. Tens of thousands of Afghans have already been caught in limbo due to other Trump administration executive orders suspending the US refugee admissions program and the suspension of foreign aid funding for flights of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders.

This story and headline have been updated with additional information.

By Kristen Holmes, Alayna Treene, Kaitlan Collins and Samantha Waldenberg, CNN

“Date: 5 June 2025 | Press Release No:_ /2025 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Statement of the African Union Commission on US Travel ban.”

— Source: African Union (AU) INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE

END UPDATE

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‘Affluent business travelers could be permitted entry, but not individuals traveling on immigrant or tourist visas, according to The New York Times. Citizens from these countries would also be required to undergo mandatory in-person interviews’ ~New York Times.

The list is subject to change and requires approval from the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The draft visa ban reflects the executive order known as the Muslim ban issued during Trump's first term. This order restricted travel and refugee resettlement from several predominantly Muslim countries.

The draft list categorizes countries into three distinct groups, each with varying levels of restrictions:

• The first level, 'Red', faces a full visa ban affecting 11 countries.

• The second level, labeled 'Orange,' has strict visa restrictions, which affect tourists, students, and other visa categories.

• The third-level 'Yellow' countries have 60 days to address all concerns raised by the United States.

How did Sierra Leone end up in the orange category of restricted visas?

Reasons can be found in the US State Department 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Sierra Leone, and the current state of affairs.

READ US State Department 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Sierra Leone

It provides a thorough analysis of human rights issues, including credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, and arbitrary arrests or detentions, among others.

The government took some steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses, but impunity persisted.

WATCH: The analysis, the reasons for the ranking, and potential remedies for Sierra Leone!

“USA To Impose Travel Ban on Sierra Leone: Is Sierra Leone the Worst African Country?”

— Prof. Dr. Prince Hyce Bull

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

Download the 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for Sierra Leone from the US State Department HERE!

Liberian Authorities Intercepted Drug Trafficking From Sierra Leone Worth About $77k

At approximately 10:45 PM. on March 17, 2025, Joint Security received a tip-off regarding a black pickup truck with Liberian license plate A533348 transporting narcotics. The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Sierra Leone to Monrovia through Lofa County.

Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency – Public Relations Office | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 17 March 2025

LDEA FOYA DISTRICT INTERCEPTS MAJOR DRUG SHIPMENT WORTH OVER $77k

Foya District, Lofa County - March 17, 2025 – The Joint Security of Foya District, led by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Lofa County Commander and the team has successfully intercepted a significant drug shipment valued at USD 77,200.

At approximately 10:45 PM. on March 17, 2025, Joint Security received a tip-off regarding a black pickup truck with Liberian license plate A533348 transporting narcotics. The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Sierra Leone to Monrovia through Lofa County.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Joint Security team headed by the LDEA intercepted the vehicle and escorted it to the Foya Police Station for a thorough inspection. The driver, identified as Fayiah Lamie, a 43-year-old male from the Mandi tribe and a resident of Monrovia, initially claimed to be transporting only clothes and slippers for sale.

Upon conducting a detailed search of the vehicle, authorities uncovered 772 plates of high-grade marijuana - Estimated street value of(USD 77,200) seventy-seven thousand, two hundred United States dollars (equivalent to 14,668,000 LRD) Fourteen million, six hundred sixty-eight thousand Liberian dollars. 8 boxes of Tramadol estimated street value of (USD 842) eight hundred forty-two United States dollars (equivalent to 160,000 LRD) one hundred sixty thousand Liberian dollars.

Suspect Fayiah Lamie was immediately arrested and is currently undergoing investigation. He is expected to be formally charged and sent to court.

The LDEA remains committed to combating drug trafficking and ensuring the safety and well-being of Liberians. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

“Drug Bust: In Video”

— Liberia Joint Security Intercepted Huge Consignment in Lofa County!

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Visa Restriction Policy on Undermining the Democratic Process in Sierra Leone

Statement by Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken

August 31, 2023

The United States is committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Sierra Leone and around the world.  Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for undermining the democratic process in the June 2023 Sierra Leone election.

The visa restriction policy announced today will apply to specific individuals and is not directed at the Sierra Leonean people.  

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