Archive · 1 Oct 2026
EU Suspends Sierra Leone Aid Over Fugitive Cocaine Kingpin
The European Union has stopped some financial help for Sierra Leone.
The decision is connected to Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch man convicted of smuggling cocaine.
The Netherlands wants Sierra Leone to arrest him and send him back.
Dutch officials say Sierra Leone has not cooperated.
They say he has been protected by important people in the country since at least 2023.
Leijdekkers received a 24-year sentence in the Netherlands.
He also received much longer combined sentences in Belgium.
The European Union may stop more aid next year if Sierra Leone still refuses to cooperate.
The European Commission suspended €18 million in aid promised to Sierra Leone for this year.
The Netherlands says Sierra Leone has refused to arrest and extradite fugitive Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers.
Leijdekkers was sentenced in absentia in the Netherlands to 24 years for smuggling more than seven metric tons of cocaine.
He has also received combined sentences of about 100 years in Belgium for various cases.
A further €22.5 million in aid planned for next year could be suspended if Sierra Leone does not cooperate.
- Who
- The European Commission, the Netherlands, Sierra Leone, and fugitive Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers.
- What
- The European Commission suspended €18 million in aid to Sierra Leone over its refusal to arrest and extradite Leijdekkers.
- When
- The decision was reported on Oct. 1; the aid was promised for this year, with additional funds planned for next year.
- Where
- Sierra Leone, with the announcement reported from Amsterdam.
- Why
- The Netherlands says Sierra Leone has refused to cooperate in arresting and extraditing Leijdekkers.
- Aid suspended
- €18 million promised to Sierra Leone for this year
- Potential further suspension
- €22.5 million promised for next year
- Fugitive
- Jos Leijdekkers, a convicted Dutch cocaine smuggler
- Netherlands sentence
- 24 years in prison, imposed in absentia
- Cocaine involved
- More than 7 metric tons
- Belgian sentences
- About 100 years combined in various cases
- Sierra Leone cooperation
- The Netherlands says Sierra Leone has refused to arrest and extradite Leijdekkers