Charles Emile Mbayo with U.S. security operatives
By: Alhaji A. Barrie – Freetown, Sierra Leone
After more than two decades living in the United States, Charles Emile Mbayo—once a powerful figure in Sierra Leone’s turbulent political past—has been deported to his home country under allegations of war crimes and human rights violations.
Mbayo, a former high-ranking member of the National Provisioning Ruling Council (NPRC), was removed from the U.S. by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 20, 2025. His deportation marks a significant moment in the global effort to hold alleged perpetrators of political violence accountable, even years after their crimes.
Mbayo rose to prominence following the April 29, 1992 coup that ousted President Joseph Momoh and installed the NPRC as the ruling military junta. The regime quickly found itself battling internal dissent and external threats, including incursions from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).
On December 29, 1992, the NPRC carried out one of its most notorious acts: the extrajudicial execution of approximately 29 individuals accused of plotting a counter-coup. Among the victims were former government officials and civilians. Many were tortured before being summarily executed and buried in a mass grave near Freetown. The killings shocked the nation and drew condemnation from international human rights organizations.
Mbayo entered the United States on a student visa in January 1998, settling into a quiet life far from the chaos of his past. He later applied for permanent residency, but his application was denied in July 2023 after federal authorities uncovered his alleged role in the 1992 executions.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations arrested Mbayo on June 30, 2025. He remained in custody until his deportation.
“ERO officers are committed to public safety and national security,” said Kevin Raycraft, Director of ICE’s Detroit Field Office. “Removing this individual from the United States serves both those priorities.”
Human rights advocates in Sierra Leone have long called for accountability for crimes committed during the country’s military regimes and civil war. Mbayo’s return may reignite public debate over transitional justice and the need for formal investigations into past atrocities.
While Sierra Leone has made strides in post-war reconciliation—including the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission—many victims and families still await justice.
It remains unclear whether Mbayo will face prosecution in Sierra Leone. Legal experts note that while the country’s constitution allows for the trial of war crimes, political will and institutional capacity remain key challenges.
For now, his deportation serves as a reminder that time does not erase responsibility—and that the long arm of justice can reach across borders.
