The European Commission has suspended €18 million ($20 million) in financial aid to Sierra Leone over the country’s refusal to arrest and extradite Dutch national Jos Leijdekkers, a convicted cocaine trafficker wanted by European authorities.
Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel announced the decision on Thursday, saying the funding suspension was intended to pressure Sierra Leone to cooperate in apprehending Leijdekkers, who Dutch authorities say has found refuge and received high-level protection in the West African country since at least 2023.
The suspended funds were part of €18 million ($20 million) in payments promised to Sierra Leone for 2026. A further €22.5 million ($25.4 million) scheduled for next year could also be withheld if Freetown continues to refuse cooperation, Van Weel said.
Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most-wanted fugitives, was sentenced in absentia in the Netherlands to 24 years in prison for smuggling more than seven metric tons of cocaine. He has also received multiple convictions in Belgium, with sentences totalling about 100 years in separate cases.
The Netherlands has repeatedly requested his extradition, but Sierra Leone has not acted on the request. Dutch authorities have been seeking international support to increase pressure on Freetown to arrest and hand over the fugitive.
The dispute has created tensions between the two countries as Dutch authorities have stepped up diplomatic pressure over Leijdekkers’ whereabouts and alleged protection in Sierra Leone.
The European decision follows months of lobbying by the Netherlands for the bloc to use development assistance as leverage. In June, the Dutch government called for the suspension of EU development cooperation with Sierra Leone, arguing that continued funding was inappropriate while the country was allegedly providing refuge to a major organised crime figure.
Sierra Leone has rejected accusations that it is deliberately sheltering Leijdekkers. In September, Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh said the country’s security services did not know where the fugitive was and criticised Dutch pressure as “neo-colonialism.” Dutch officials rejected that characterization.
The aid suspension adds financial pressure to Sierra Leone as the country continues to rely on international development assistance to support government programmes and public services.
For the European Union, the move represents a shift from diplomatic pressure to a direct financial measure in its efforts to secure cooperation against organised crime.
The European Commission and Sierra Leonean government did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment on the decision.
Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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