By Alusine Sesay
The European Commission has expressed deep concern over growing drug trafficking activities and wider transnational organised crime trends in Sierra Leone, warning that future financial support to the Government could be affected as the European Union assesses measures to address the problem.
According to a statement by the European Commission on Tuesday, the EU is “closely monitoring drug trafficking and, more broadly, trends in transnational organised crime in Sierra Leone and across the wider West Africa region.”
The Commission disclosed that concerns over the issue have been repeatedly raised with Sierra Leonean authorities and were also discussed at the highest diplomatic level.
“We are concerned about the drug trafficking and, broader speaking, transnational organised crime trends in Sierra Leone and the region. We are closely following the developments. The EU Delegation has raised this issue on several occasions and our concerns with the authorities,” the European Commission stated.
The Commission further revealed that the matter was discussed during a bilateral meeting between EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
“HRVP Kallas also had a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone on the sidelines of UNGA, where the issue was also raised,” the Commission noted.
The EU said it is currently reviewing possible actions in response to the growing threat.
“The EU and its Member States are currently looking into the measures that we, as EU, could take to address these issues,” the statement added.
The Commission referenced conclusions adopted by the European Council in June, stating that “coherent action towards third countries that harbour drug traffickers and fail to comply with their obligations under international law is required.”
€18 Million Disbursement Under Assessment
On development cooperation, the European Commission disclosed that Sierra Leone had been allocated €352 million in grant funding under the European Union’s 2021-2027 Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) programme. Of the total amount, €245 million has already been committed through various development programmes. The Commission said a Budget Support Programme signed with the Government of Sierra Leone in 2024 provided for a total transfer of €65 million directly to the national treasury.
It noted that €24.5 million was disbursed between 2024 and 2025, but indicated that the next tranche remains uncertain.
“The €18 million disbursement initially foreseen for 2026 is currently under assessment and no disbursement is currently planned,” the European Commission stated.
The Commission clarified, however, that ongoing development programmes benefiting ordinary Sierra Leoneans would continue because they are managed through external implementing partners rather than government channels.
“The management of the remaining ongoing programmes benefitting the population has been delegated to external implementing partners and is not channelled through the Government of Sierra Leone,” it added.
The latest position signals increasing international scrutiny of Sierra Leone’s efforts to tackle narcotics trafficking and organised criminal networks amid broader regional concerns over the use of West Africa as a transit route for illicit drugs destined for Europe and other international markets.
Background
Drug trafficking has become a growing concern across West Africa, with international agencies warning that the region is increasingly being used as a transit corridor for cocaine and other illicit substances moving from Latin America to Europe. In recent months, Sierra Leone has attracted heightened international attention following several high-profile drug-related investigations and interdictions linked to transnational criminal networks.
The European Union has consistently supported Sierra Leone through development assistance programmes aimed at strengthening governance, economic development, education, health and public sector reforms. However, the EU has also emphasised that continued cooperation must be accompanied by strong commitments to the rule of law, accountability and compliance with international obligations.
The European Commission’s latest statement suggests that while support for the Sierra Leonean people will continue through development partners, future budget support to the Government is now under closer scrutiny as the EU evaluates its response to concerns over drug trafficking and organised crime.