United Arab Emirates Delegation Meets Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mrs. Nimatulai Bah-Chang on Wednesday 24th October 2018 received a delegation from the United Arab Emirates at the Ministry’s Tower Hill Office in Freetown. The Minister welcomed the delegation for the visit and assured them of the Government’s hospitality during their stay in the country. She reminded the delegation of the Government’s willingness to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries. The country, she added has lots of investment opportunities and is open for business especially to investors who are willing and able to benefit the country’s economy and its people. 

Mrs. Bah-Chang informed the delegation that as a sign of this new Government’s appreciation of the delegation, arrangements have been made for them to be received in audience by the vice president.

The Director General and Ambassador-at-Large Mr. Paul Ansumana Senesie Minah informed the delegation that the visit will serve as an opportunity to restart the relationship between the two countries. Following the death of Sierra Leone’s former Ambassador and change of Government, he opined that “the accreditation of a new Ambassador will now yield benefits for the two countries in terms of investment.”

The Assistant Minister for International Organizations of the United Arab Emirates, Yaquob Yousif Alhosani who also doubles as the Head of Delegation informed the Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mrs. Bah-Chang that they were in the country to strengthen the bilateral relationship that had existed between the two countries, he extended an invitation for an investment cooperation in the areas of tourism and other areas of investment interests to the two countries.

Khalid Matar Al Mannaei, Executive Director in the Office of Vice President for Political Affairs said Sierra Leone had many opportunities for investment and called for partnerships that will benefit the two countries. He encouraged Sierra Leone to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE on cooperation and visa waiver noting that a visa waiver will bring lots of investors to the country and open doors for investments. He called for increased on the bilateral ties between the two countries that will enhance business, export and technical cooperation.

 

Netherlands Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call On the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

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Ambassador Ron Strikker of Netherlands has paid a Courtesy Call on the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mrs. Nimatulai Bah-Chang accompanied by Binta Jalloh Managing Director of Bintex at her Tower Hill Office in Freetown.

The meeting was to brief the Deputy Minister on Ambassador Ron Strikker’s visits to Sierra Leone as part of Netherlands Commitment to strengthen ties with Africa and to work with the continent to help address the emerging challenges. The Ambassador added that Netherlands has been promoting economic relations, offering training and scholarship possibilities to Sierra Leone, adding that they are ‘working with the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the Sierra Leone Export and Investment Promotion Agency(SLEIPA) and they have even provided a training project for custom officials at NRA.

Ambassador Ron Strikker also stated that his Country would continue to work with this new government for the betterment of the country. He added that his visits is to enhance trade and agriculture as a major focus to deepen cooperation, as he has already visited yele, one of the small towns in Sierra Leone, located in the Tonkolili District where 2,000 tons of palm oil has been produced by the local people. He also emphasized the need to cooperate on other issues of common interest especially on Hygiene, Health, Education and more.

Welcoming the Netherlands’ Ambassador to the Ministry, Mrs. Nimatulai Bah-Chang, underscored the Significance of the visit of the Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone, which is aimed at broadening

and deepening the existing bilateral relations between the two countries. She further stated that Government’s commitment to enhance the Agricultural Sector will add value to the local products and create employment for young people, and that His Excellency, Dr. Julius Maada Bio is committed to Fostering cooperation and collaboration with the Netherlands and he appreciates everything the Netherlands has done for Sierra Leone, especially their commitment to the country during the Ebola Outbreak.

Present were: the Deputy Director General, Mr. Al-Hassan Kondeh and Sia Annie Tejan Deputy Director of Europe.

Foreign Affairs Minister Assures Sierra Leone Red Cross Society

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Alie Kabba has given assurance to the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society on the request for subvention brought to his attention.  The Minister informed the team about his plan engagement with the Finance Minister on the matter, noting that the issue is very critical to the operation of the Red Cross due to the essential service they render to the public especially the vulnerable in remote communities in the country. “Sierra Leone Red Cross is visible in rural areas and has a historical record of providing First Aid during critical periods in the country” he maintained, citing the Society’s role during the war and Ebola period to save the lives of vulnerable people.

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Committee of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation together with the First Session of the Fifth Parliament host a one day symposium with the European Union Representative

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The committee of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation in collaboration with the first session of the fifth parliament of the second Republic of Sierra Leone has held a one-day symposium at the Ministry’s conference hall in Freetown. The event which is to showcase the existing bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and the European Union on the reformation of their partnership.

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Alie Kaaba expressed his deepest gratitude to the chairman and members of the committee on behalf of the Ministry for convening the symposium as he described the Ministry as the ‘institution responsible for the conduct of Sierra Leone’s Foreign Relations and International Cooperation’. He further stated that the Ministry considers this event as a ‘significant milestone in spotlighting the valued partnership with the European Union’. He further thanked the European Union for the good work they have been doing in Sierra Leone; the EU’s relentless effort and commitment in promoting & supporting inclusive democratic governance. As a Minister, Dr. Alie Kaaba vowed to deepen the relationship between the European Union & Sierra Leone based on equality & shared interest. He also dilated on the area of equal footing since Sierra Leone would not always be on the receiving end but would sit side-by-side with the EU at the decision making table.

Dr. Kabba also explained the need for European Union to keep its markets open in relocating some of its labor intensive business to African Countries. Equally so, the European Union can further help by giving a privileged access to African goods in the European markets as in the case of goods coming in from Asia. He concluded that this is what the new direction of his excellency President Julius Maada Bio wants in transforming our beloved country, working together, Sierra Leone has the edge to promote, project, and protect its national interest, and will be able to pursue mutually beneficial foreign policy programs enshrined in chapter 11, Section 10 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and the principles of the New Direction.

The European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Sierra Leone, Tom Vens delved on the need for a partnership framework which sets an agenda for Democratization and Human Rights in working towards a sustainable future. Ambassador Vens pointed out the need for Sierra Leone to strengthen Democracy & Human Rights, which he pictured as an agenda to make sure the Government of Sierra Leone work to meet International standards and also to see that there is an increased emphasis to protect the rights of children and persons with disabilities. He also mentioned Education, Agriculture, Strategic Investments and job creation as core values. He emphasized on the need for equity and quality education.  He further specified four core agendas, ranging from; developing Strategic Investment and Job Creation; Investment in Education; creating suitable Business Environment; and Economic Integration. Ambassador Vens expressed profound appreciation for the invitation and the opportunity for dialogue and openness, and stated he will continue to see Parliament as a key pillar of Government.

Following the event, the Development Secretary, Peter Nuyuba Sam-Kpaka on behalf of the Honorable Minister of Economic Planning and Development in his statement, underscored the International Development & Partnership as Sierra Leoneans are still striving towards the goal of attaining a sustainable carbon-free & inclusive middle-income status by 2030. He further explained that for every partnership to succeed, there must be mutual respect, laws and regulations that govern it, and in that capacity, the ministry of Planning & Economic Development has developed a Development Cooperation Framework (DCF) which surrounds & defines the overall partnership. And these DCF is anchored on country ownership, alignment with country priorities, use of country systems, adequate and timely information on aid, mutual accountability, NGO monitoring and Coordination for Accountability these and many more outlined b Minister.

Present at the ceremony were; the EU Delegates; the Chairman Committee of Foreign Affairs in Parliament, Honorable Kandeh Yumkella; Honorable members of the committee; Director Europe Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Dennis Nicole.

 

Sierra Leone Participates in the 5th Annual Meeting of the International Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the OIC in Turkey

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A two-man delegation headed by the Director-General and Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Paul A. S. Minah, is currently attending an international seminar on islamophobia in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

As a Member State of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) since 1972, Sierra Leone was invited to attend this year’s seminar at the level of Vice Minister or Director-General. Early in September, DG Mr Paul Minah was asked to represent the Ministry at this event.

The is the first time the Government of Sierra Leone is participating in such event. The theme for the seminar is “Islamophobia: a human rights violation and a contemporary manifesto of racism”.

Since the end of the civil war, Sierra Leone has been making gradual progress in nation building, fostering peaceful and coexistence between and among people of different faiths, beliefs and religions. Sierra Leone’s exemplary record of tolerance and peaceful coexistence was recently acknowledged when the country was assessed as the most peaceful in West Africa. Sierra Leone will therefore share its experience on religious and cultural tolerance with the delegates at this seminar.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is the main government body responsible for coordinating Sierra Leone’s human rights reporting work to all international human rights treaty bodies. The IPHRC/OIC is one of three international treaty bodies to which Sierra Leone has human rights treaty obligations to report or engage with. The other two are the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights and the UN Human Rights Council.

Ambassador Paul Minah will deliver his intervention on 17 October 2018. Mr Minah is accompanied by the Director of Human Rights and Compliance from the Legal Affairs and International Conventions Division, Mr Patrick Hassan Morlai Koroma.

 

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The Commonwealth Political Adviser-Governance and Peace Directorate Clara Cole on Tuesday 16th October, 2018 presented the Monitoring Report on the Sierra Leone 2018 General and Presidential Elections to Dr. Alie Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at Tower Hill in Freetown. She reported that the Monitoring Team is in the country to follow up on post-election governance and peace consolidation, adding that they are in the country to help the Government in the area of democracy. The Political Adviser further reported that the Team will be organizing two days’ workshop with Civil Society Organisations, National Electoral Commission (NEC) on the Report.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Receives Letters of Credence

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Dr. Alie Kabba-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Tuesday 16th October 2018 received Letters of Credence from the High Commissioner-Designate of the Republic of Gambia to Sierra Leone and the Ambassador-Designate of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Sierra Leone at his Tower Hill Office in Freetown. The Minister welcomed the Diplomats on behalf of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He informed the Diplomats that their appointments reaffirmed the bilateral relationship that has existed between Sierra Leone and the two countries but reiterated that the New Direction Government will deepen the ties with the two countries and expressed hope that the High Commissioner and the Ambassador-Designates serve as a bridge to deepen the bilateral ties that will lead to multilateral development.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Calls for Global Solidarity on Capacity Building

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Alie Kabba has called for solidarity at the multilateral stage to build the capacity of member countries based on their needs and national priorities. Dr. Kabba made this plea during his closing addressed at the Second Annual Showcase of Sustainable Development Goal 16 on Peace, Just and Inclusive Societies on the 10th October, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown. He stated that through cooperative and coordinated partnerships, the 16+Forum would be able to consolidate capacities to respond to tensions and threats of potential conflicts.

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Ambassadors and High Commissioners Bid Farewell to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

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After the recent induction conducted for the Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Attachés, 12 Ambassadors and High commissioners bids farewell to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at his Tower Hill Office in Freetown.

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Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Underscores the Need for Peace

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The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Alpha Osman Timbo has underscored the linkages among peace, security and development. He called on the audience to bear in mind that peace is a necessary condition for development, therefore it is impossible to achieve development without peace. He stated that peace and development can be attained only when poverty is addressed entirely, describing poverty as a cause and consequence of instability and conflict. The Minister made the statement at the Official Welcome Reception of the Sierra Leone Annual Showcase of the Sixteen plus Forum organized by the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) at Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown on Monday 8th October, 2018.

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Ambassador Kakai Appeals for Satisfactory Land Laws

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The Sierra Leone Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Francis Kakai has on Monday 8th October, 2018 appealed to the Law Reform Commission to review laws on land that will be satisfactory to everyone. He said land is very critical for development, therefore laws concerning it use must be drafted for the benefit and satisfaction of everyone in the country.

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