By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Sierra Leone has received its first batch of returnees from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On Sunday the country received 17 of its citizens who had clamored for their return following harsh livelihood conditions in the gulf state.
All those who returned on Sunday said they were relieved to be back home. The 17 are part of 58 returnees who opted to return. Their repatriation was facilitated by the Government of Sierra Leone through its Embassy in UAE and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Ishmael Sheriff, who spent nine months in the UAE, said the conditions out there were harsh and the situation had been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The reason why I am returning is because it is hard to secure a job without a valid visa. When you have a valid visa you will secure a job, if you don’t have one it is difficult. Many Sierra Leoneans are out there without a job and the COVID-19 has just worsened it all. And the country is too expensive, so it is better for me to return and asses my situation,” Sheriff said.
Sheriff said there are hundreds more out there who are just languishing. He said he is determined to start another career.
Victoria Marrah, a young woman who is probably in her late 20s, told journalists about her harrowing experience. She said her visa expired and she was working for employers who had promised to renew it but they didn’t do so after three months.
“I ended up sleeping in the street for three days because my master kicked me out. Until I got the number of the (Sierra Leone) ambassador, I cannot thank him enough,” Marrah said.
“I feel relieved to be back in my country. My experience is so bitter, because what people tell you is not what you will meet out there. When you get to the country, it is very difficult for us women, in terms of job and how we are treated,” she later added.
Marrah said she was a retailer at Abacha Street before she travelled. She said she spent around US$3,000 dollars some two years ago to get to the gulf state. Marrah said despite her relief to be back, she is also traumatized and don’t know what to do next.
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji Kella, said the government is preparing a package for all those who are returning from the Middle-East.
“We are providing psychosocial support to all those who are retuning and we are currently deciding on a relief package for them. We know as a government we have to embrace them and support them,” he said.
The government is also receiving returnees from Lebanon. The return of Sierra Leoneans from these countries have been facilitated much more swiftly by the President’s visit to Lebanon early this month, a source from Sate House told Politico.
Kella also agreed that the difficult situation in the Middle-East has also been exacerbated by COVID-19, which has cost millions of job losses around the world.
Middle East and the gulf is a popular destination for African migrants who are seeking better life opportunities. But for years there have been complaints of exploitation and maltreatment of African migrants.
Mohamed Lamin Massaquoi, Press Attaché Designate to the Sierra Leone Embassy in UAE, told Politico that Ambassador Rashid Sesay is in talks with his counterpart about the treatment of Sierra Leonean migrants in the gulf state.
“As we are speaking now our Embassy in UAE is in discussion with its counterparts to make sure whenever Sierra Leoneans move to UAE they are able to realize their aspirations. We care about our citizens at home and abroad,” Massaquoi said.
Massaquoi also said the rest of the returnees will be returning in several small batches over the coming weeks.
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