Belgium police storm Sierra Leone Embassy in Brussels
Six Belgian police officers today at 3:15 pm stormed the Sierra Leone Embassy in Brussels on a busy consular day to arrest one Peter Kuyembeh, Admin Officer at the Embassy.
The leader of the six man team, said they were invited to the embassy by the Head of Mission, Ambassador Christian S Kargbo who had gone to their offices at Montgomery Police Station with the instructions to arrest Mr. Kuyembeh who according to the Ambassador has refused to vacate the building after the unceremoniously termination of the services of Mr Kuyembeh, who has worked at the mission for the past ten years.
The entire embassy staff, foreign nationals and visa applicants were frightened and tearful when the police stormed the building armed with pistols and other riot gear. This is the first time in the history of diplomatic missions in Brussels for the police to enter the premises of an Embassy which has diplomatic immunity.
- Ambassador Christian Kargbo
It would be recalled that in February this year Ambassador Kargbo instructed the Head of Chancery, Haja Fatmatta Wurie, to terminate the services of Mr. Kuyembeh. When the Head of Chancery refused to write the letter without reason, the Ambassador said the instructions to dismiss Kuyembeh came from “above”. Haja reluctantly wrote the letter to Kuyembeh informing him that his services are no longer required after the 31st of May, 2011.
Mr. Kuyembeh wrote a letter of complaint to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Freetown and the Ombudsman protesting against the unfair dismissal.
Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied advising the Head of Chancery and the Ambassador to desist from action until after the results of investigations in Freetown.
- Peter Kuyembeh
However, Ambassador Kargbo ignored the letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Freetown and insisted that he is in charge of the Mission and can do anything to any staff member as and when he wishes. This prompted his calling of the police this afternoon.
In April 2009, three domestic staff attached to Ambassador Kargbo’s residence namely Robert Claye Bangura, Sorie Kargbo, and Momoh Kargbo, were also unceremoniously dismissed by Ambassador Kargbo. The trio reported themselves to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belgium to the embarrassment of the Sierra Leone Government. Their matter is still under investigation and the trio are under the protection of the Belgian Government. These three domestic staff were brought to Belgium by Ambassador Kargbo himself, even though they are no longer working at his residence since April, 2009, their salaries keep coming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Freetown up to date.
Adama Kargbo
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