AIG Senesie Reaffirms ‘Salone’s’ Commitment to Migrant Smuggling

By: Alimatu Kargbo
Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening border security and migration management following its participation in the final conference of the ITEPA II Project, an international initiative focused on combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
The training, held on January 29, 2026, in Italy, formed part of activities linked to the Final Conference of the ITEPA II Project, which runs from January 28 to 31, 2026, bringing together security and migration experts from Africa and Europe.
The country was represented by the Director of Police Operations, Dr. John Martin Senesie, alongside a senior official from the Immigration Department, Joseph Saffa who attended on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone.

Delivering a presentation at the conference, Dr. Senesie highlighted the role of the security sector in safeguarding Sierra Leone’s borders, stressing that border policing and immigration control remain critical pillars in the fight against transnational crime.
In his statement, the Director reflected on lessons learned from previous international trainings in Egypt and other partner countries, noting that Sierra Leone has already begun implementing key strategies gained from those engagements.

“The presentation is a crystallization of what we have planned and implemented so far, and how these initiatives have benefited our nation,” Dr. Senesie said.
He explained that the ITEPA II programme is a joint initiative involving the Italian Ministry of the Interior and the Egyptian Police Academy, with strong support from European partners. The programme focuses on immigration management, border security, internal security, and the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
According to Dr. Senesie, Sierra Leone’s security institutions are working collaboratively to ensure that the knowledge gained from international trainings is cascaded across the country, particularly within the nation’s 12 administrative regions.

He added that several senior officers have actively participated in various training sessions, including programmes at the Utah Peacekeeping Academy, which continue to positively impact policing standards and operational effectiveness.
The training covered key areas such as border policing, immigration management, counter-smuggling operations, human trafficking prevention, cybercrime, and internal security coordination. Participants from immigration and other internal security institutions expressed optimism that the skills acquired would strengthen national and regional security.
Sierra Leone’s participation in the ITEPA II Project underscores the country’s growing engagement in international security cooperation and its determination to address migration-related crimes through capacity building and strategic partnerships.