AYV News, July 21, 2025
Sierra Leone has taken a major step toward strengthening its migration governance by validating a National Implementation Plan (NIP) and establishing a National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM).
This Initiative was led by President Julius Maada Bio’s administration, through the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and other international partners.
The first intergovernmental agreement coordinated by the United Nations on international migration, The GCM offers a comprehensive framework for cooperation based on 23 objectives promoting safe and dignified migration. Sierra Leone’s alignment with this global framework reflects its commitment to inclusive, rights-based migration policies that contribute to national development.
On 8–9 July 2025, a pre-validation meeting was convened at the Ministry of Finance conference room to review the draft concept note for the NIP and NCM. The session brought together key stakeholders including government ministries, UN agencies, civil society organisations, and international development partners to ensure that the final plans align with Sierra Leone’s national priorities and international best practices.
Through its partnership with IOM, the government also assessed migration governance using the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) at both national and regional levels. Crucially, migration has been formally integrated into Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030, acknowledging it as a critical enabler of sustainable development.
Speaking during the validation ceremony, Osman Cherry Conteh, Deputy Development Secretary at MoPED, emphasized that the GCM represents the first intergovernmental framework under the UN aimed at fostering effective international cooperation on migration. He described migration as an integral part of Sierra Leone’s development story—both as a challenge and an opportunity.
“The National Implementation Plan is essential for aligning the GCM’s objectives with our national development priorities, particularly as outlined in the MTNDP 2024–2030,” Conteh stated. He further noted that the establishment of the NCM will institutionalize inter-agency coordination, promote evidence-based policy, and ensure a whole-of-government approach to managing migration.
He highlighted that the NIP and NCM are expected to impact human capital development, labour mobility, and youth empowerment. They will also address critical issues such as irregular migration, trafficking in persons, urbanisation, land use, and climate-induced displacement. “As Sierra Leone navigates the complexities of migration, we remain committed to leveraging it as a driver of development and social transformation,” Conteh affirmed.
Brima Bendu, Senior Project Assistant at IOM Sierra Leone, described the development and validation of the NIP and NCM as major milestones. He commended the active participation and leadership of Sierra Leonean institutions throughout the process.
Pauline Macharia, Officer-in-Charge of IOM Sierra Leone, praised the country’s leadership on migration governance, noting Sierra Leone’s designation as a GCM Champion Country in 2024. She highlighted IOM’s ongoing support to the country, including the successful voluntary return and reintegration of over 2,000 Sierra Leoneans from Mauritania, Libya, Algeria, and Niger in 2024.
“These are not just numbers,” she remarked, “they are young people, parents, and innovators—contributors to national development.”
Macharia explained that the NIP is not just another policy document but a strategic roadmap to ensure that migration processes are safe, dignified, and development-focused. She urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively in the next phase of implementation.
“The Global Compact for Migration provides a comprehensive roadmap for enhanced cooperation and governance of migration,” she noted. “This validation is a pivotal moment, translating global commitments into concrete national action.”
She praised the government for its inclusive and structured approach, underscoring the importance of a whole-of-society and whole-of-government strategy. “With strong ownership and clear institutional coordination, Sierra Leone is well-positioned to maximise the benefits of migration and champion the 2026 International Migration Review Forum,” she concluded.
IOM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in implementing the NIP and strengthening migration governance frameworks in line with international standards.
