The leader of Sierra Leone's opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has called for an immediate suspension of the country’s “Citizenship by Investment” programme, raising serious concerns about national security, transparency, and legal oversight.

Known as the “Go for Gold” Investment Visa Programme, the initiative reportedly allows foreign nationals to acquire residency—and in some cases, citizenship—by paying a fee from abroad. Critics say the process bypasses essential background checks and undermines the country’s legal standards for granting citizenship.

Speaking in Parliament, Hon. Kargbo warned that the scheme could open the door to abuse and exploitation. He argued that treating citizenship as a transaction reduces it to a commodity, weakening Sierra Leone’s sovereignty and potentially inviting money laundering, criminal infiltration, and foreign interference.

“This is more than a policy misstep—it’s a national security concern,” he said. “Citizenship should never be for sale. If we continue down this path without scrutiny, we are risking the very identity and integrity of our nation.”

The opposition leader also questioned the legality of the initiative, demanding clarity on which constitutional provisions allow such a programme and why it was launched without parliamentary approval or public discussion.

While he acknowledged the need for foreign investment to boost development, he insisted that such efforts must align with the law and reflect the will and welfare of Sierra Leoneans. He urged Parliament to launch a full inquiry and invited legal experts, civil society organizations, and national security stakeholders to examine the broader implications of the programme.

The proposal has sparked a nationwide conversation about how the country balances economic ambition with the protection of its laws, identity, and democratic processes.