(232news.com)
PRESS RELEASE
5th June, 2023
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS DEBUNKS SOCIAL MEDIA CLAIMS ABOUT THE ALLEGED INFLUX OF BURKINABE MERCENARIES AT SIERRA RUTILE
The attention of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been drawn to several social media posts regarding the arrival and stay of certain individuals whom the public alleged to be Mercenaries from Burkina Faso.
Considering these social media posts, the Ministry in collaboration with state intelligence agencies mounted thorough investigations into the said allegations.
Based on the outcome of the investigations, the Ministry wishes to inform members of the public that:
- The Burkinabe drivers are expert heavy duty truck drivers contracted by SIBAO GROUP LTD, deployed and currently working at the Sierra Rutile Mines;
- The said Burkinabe went through security screening at the Gbalamuya border post, and due diligence was conducted by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, the National Revenue Authority (NRA), and other Security agencies prior to their entry into Sierra Leone;
- The Burkinabe heavy duty truck drivers are currently at the Sierra Rutile Mines, which is their final destination and duty station;
- On their arrival to Sierra Leone, concerns were raised by members of the public, alleging that the said Burkinabe are hired mercenaries against the Government of Sierra Leone. In that regard, the various state intelligence and security agencies swiftly arrested all the alleged Burkinabe Mercenaries, and then subjected them to robust security screening. However, since the screening and/or investigation could not link them to the allegation, they were released without charge;
- As a means of adhering to or complying with Government’s Local Content Policy, the Burkinabe heavy truck drivers are expected to train Sierra Leonean drivers, who will subsequently replace them.
In view of the foregoing, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, charged with the responsibility of the internal security of the country, will like to further inform the general public that, the Burkinabe heavy duty truck drivers were legally brought in as foreign workers by SIBAO GROUP LTD – a sub-contractor of the Sierra Rutile Mining Company.
Moreover, to allay the fears of the public regarding this subject matter, investigations and intelligence gathered so far were unable to associate the said Burkinabe to any mercenary group intended to destabilize Sierra Leone or meddle in the forth coming elections. However, the relevant Security and Intelligence Agencies shall continue to monitor and surveillance all persons of security interest entering and dwelling in Sierra Leone.
Meanwhile, members of the public are kindly requested to remain calm and go about their normal business, while the security and intelligence agencies continue to monitor the security situation in the country and the sub–region as a whole.
For further enquiries on this matter, please contact the Information
Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Tel: +23234-793838 or
Email: anitabockarie@gmail.com
Anita Bockarie
Media & Information Officer
Ministry of Internal Affairs
