Malik Azmani, a Member of the European Parliament, has called for the European Union to suspend funding to Sierra Leone. The Dutch MEP is advocating for this measure as a means to pressure the West African nation into extraditing individuals involved in drug trafficking to EU member states. Mr. Azmani's proposition specifically targets the substantial financial aid provided by the EU to Sierra Leone, aiming to leverage this assistance to achieve greater cooperation in combating transnational crime. His stance reflects a growing impatience within the European Parliament regarding the perceived lack of progress in addressing these critical issues.
Mr. Azmani specifically urged the EU Commission to utilize the suspension possibility outlined in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe). He stated, "Persuade Sierra Leone to extradite drug criminals to EU Member States, and to use the suspension possibility under NDICI-Global Europe as leverage for this purpose; and make the horizontal sanctions regime against transnational organized crime, as announced in the Commission’s work program, operational." This move aims to leverage development aid to facilitate the extradition of suspected drug criminals. The MEP's demand to make the horizontal sanctions regime operational shows a desire for a more strong and unified approach to tackling organized crime networks that exploit countries like Sierra Leone.
Escalating Calls for Action
Malik Azmani MEP has urged the European Commission to actively persuade Sierra Leone to extradite individuals implicated in drug trafficking to EU Member States. Mr. Azmani also called for the implementation of a horizontal sanctions regime targeting transnational organized crime. He stated, "Persuade Sierra Leone to extradite drug criminals to EU Member States, and to use the suspension possibility under NDICI-Global Europe as leverage for this purpose; and make the horizontal sanctions regime against transnational organized crime, as announced in the Commission’s work program, operational." The repeated emphasis on these points notes the urgency and strategic importance Azmani places on these measures.
The Dutch MEP's demands are gaining traction, with reports indicating that other European nations, including Spain, Italy, Denmark, Ireland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, may soon support calls for sanctions against Sierra Leone. These potential actions show a growing international concern regarding the country's perceived role in drug trafficking and as a haven for fugitives. The collective weight of several key European countries joining this call would significantly amplify the pressure on Sierra Leone's government. This broad support suggests that the issue is not isolated but rather a matter of shared concern across multiple EU Member States.
In response to earlier reports, the government of Sierra Leone, represented by Information Minister Chernor Bah and Chief Minister David Sengeh, accused news media outlets of disseminating "fake news." Their comments were made in the context of recent discussions surrounding the country's handling of drug-related issues and international cooperation. This official repudiation by high-ranking government officials indicates the sensitivity of the issue within Sierra Leone and the government's efforts to control the narrative surrounding these allegations.
Sierra Leone's Role in Transnational Crime
Sierra Leone functions as a logistics hub for cocaine destined for the European market. The country also offers a safe haven where European Union fugitives can evade justice in EU Member States. The Global Organized Crime Index identifies Sierra Leone as one of the primary West African transit countries for cocaine en route to Europe. This strategic geographical position, coupled with perceived weaknesses in law enforcement and governance, makes it an attractive location for international criminal organizations. The ability for EU fugitives to seek refuge there further complicates efforts by European authorities to bring criminals to justice, undermining the rule of law.
Sierra Leone is a party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, which includes Article 16 on extradition. Despite ratifying this convention, Sierra Leone has not implemented its extradition obligations toward EU Member States that have a prosecution interest in specific cases. This lack of action has contributed to concerns within the European Parliament regarding the country's cooperation in combating transnational crime. The failure to uphold commitments under an international convention to which it is a signatory is a significant point of contention for MEPs like Malik Azmani, who see it as a direct impediment to justice. The expectation is that, as a signatory, Sierra Leone would actively participate in the international framework for combating organized crime, including the extradition of individuals sought for serious offenses.
Diplomatic Efforts and Funding
Bilateral and European Union diplomatic contacts with Sierra Leone have not yet resulted in any extraditions of individuals involved in drug trafficking. This persistent lack of success through conventional diplomatic channels is a key factor driving the calls for more stringent measures, such as the suspension of aid. The absence of concrete results from these dialogues has led to frustration among European officials who believe that Sierra Leone is not fulfilling its international responsibilities.
During the EU-Sierra Leone Political Partnership Dialogue on December 16, 2025, chaired by President Bio, both parties agreed to increase cooperation in combating drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. This high-level agreement was seen as a positive step towards enhancing collaboration. However, the practical outcomes have been disappointing. Five months after this dialogue, Spanish police intercepted 30 tons of cocaine on a ship that had departed from Freetown. This significant seizure, occurring shortly after a commitment to increased cooperation, starkly illustrates the ongoing challenges and the perceived gap between stated intentions and effective action on the ground in Sierra Leone. The incident further fueled concerns about the country's role in the global drug trade and its capacity or willingness to address it.
The European Union has allocated a total of €352 million to Sierra Leone for the period covering 2021 to 2027. Sierra Leone also receives funding through regional and cross-border cooperation programs. However, no specific conditions regarding cooperation in international legal assistance are attached to these funding streams. This absence of targeted conditionalities means that the substantial financial assistance provided by the EU does not inherently compel Sierra Leone to improve its extradition record or cooperation in combating organized crime. The general suspension possibility outlined in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) Regulation has not been utilized for this purpose thus far. The European Commission has committed to strengthening the legal framework designed to combat organized crime. This commitment suggests an evolving strategy within the EU to better equip itself to address such challenges, potentially including more strong mechanisms for aid conditionality or sanctions in the future. The current situation, where significant funds are disbursed without direct linkage to specific anti-crime cooperation benchmarks, is precisely what MEP Azmani seeks to change through his calls for suspension and leverage.
