minister meets diplomatic community

Foreign Minister Updates the Diplomatic Community on 2019 Achievements and Challenges

minister meets diplomatic community

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis on Tuesday 28th January, 2020 met with members of the Diplomatic Community at the Conference Hall of the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Tower Hill, Freetown.

Welcoming the Diplomats, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Al-Hassan Kondeh explained that the purpose of the meeting was for the Minister to update Diplomats on the achievements and challenges of last year and pending activities. He added that the forum also provided the opportunities to engage in development discussions, exchange ideas and maintain regular dialogue.

Delivering her statement, the Minister stated that 2019 was a great year with Diplomatic partners as Sierra Leone strengthened its bilateral cooperation with many of her historic partners. Outlining some of the Ministry’s achievements so far, Mrs. Tunis said the government through the Ministry has signed several joint cooperation agreements that are of benefit to the people and country and that they will continue to collaborate on tangible development programmes across the globe.

The Minister said Sierra Leone has established a good collaboration with its partners in a number of areas such as good governance, water supply, agriculture, environmental protection and employment. Expressing gratitude for the high level of collaboration with partners, Mrs. Tunis stated that, she aimed to engage with the Diplomatic community even further as His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio has declared 2020 as a year of delivery.

The Sierra Leone Foreign Minister expressed her fervent hope that the Diplomatic partners will individually and collectively continue to support the country’s development priorities especially in education, health, agriculture, water, energy, security and the fight against corruption.

Speaking on the government strides, Minister Tunis said the government has hit unprecedented heights in terms of good governance and the fight against corruption. She said the government is making tremendous strides in terms of safeguarding human rights and that in the area of religious tolerance, Sierra Leone is second to none around the world.

Mrs. Nabeela Tunis maintained that, the government of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio is highly focused on economic diversification, private sector development and foreign direct investment.

The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Habiss Ibrahim Ugbada, in his statement expressed a special appreciation to the Minister for organizing such platform for them to interact. He said the gathering has provided the much needed opportunity to interact, discuss, brainstorm and exchange ideas among members of the Diplomatic Community and the Ministry.

Dr. Ugbada added that he is of the belief that the outcome of the meeting will further unite them as a community and that it will help them to support the vision of the present administration as well as to contribute to making Sierra Leone a better place for not only its citizens but for all citizens of the world residing in Sierra Leone.

The Nigerian High Commissioner noted that for them to maintain peace and sustainable development in Sierra Leone, there is need for constant engagement and constant interaction. He called on his fellow diplomats to continue to come up with ideas and suggestions that can aid the Corps and Government of Sierra Leone.

His Excellency Dr. Habiss Ibrahim Ugbada assured the Minister that the Diplomatic Community under his leadership as Dean, will continue to partner with the Government of Sierra Leone especially in achieving the goals enshrined in the National Development Plan.

Dr. Ugbada informed the Minister that they are about to hold their maiden meeting for this year where they will discuss a range of issues and will share the outcome with the Minister.

 

 

(MFAIC Press Office Freetown)

Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Engages Members of the Consular Corps on Government’s Priorities

Consular Corps Engagement

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis on Tuesday 28th January, 2020 engaged with members of the Sierra Leone Consular Corps at her Tower Hill office’s main Conference Hall in Freetown.

 

In the welcome statement given by the Deputy Director General-Operations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Duwai Lungay said the meeting was to discuss issues on how to facilitate the ministry’s work and that of the Consular Corps; stating that 2020 is a year of service delivery as was pronounced by His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio last week at the Ministerial Retreat.

 

In her speech at the meeting hall, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis  reassured the Consular Corps of her Ministry’s unflinching support in ensuring that their day-to-today activities are carried out in a smooth and seamless manner. Minster Tunis stated that as part of her Ministry’s multi-dimensional approach to effective delivery on the national transformation driver of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the Diplomatic and Consular Corps of Sierra Leone should direct their individual and collective resources and energies towards supporting the Government priorities in order to deliver tangible results as demand by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio in his Cabinet Retreat speech over the weekend.

 

She maintained that, as a government, the Diplomatic and Consular Corps are part of Sierra Leone’s brand Ambassadors to help rebrand the image of Sierra Leone from a war-torn and disease ridden nation to paradise of peace, tolerance and abundance untapped potentials in almost all sectors.Mrs. Tunis stated that as brand Ambassadors, the Diplomatic and Consular Corps will contribute immensely to directing tourism and Foreign Direct Investment into Sierra Leone and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country as stated in the Medium Term National Development Plan.

 

Minister Tunis concluded by encouraging the Consular Corps to hold firmly on the values of integrity and trust as they sought to consolidate the cordial historic relationship that has been in existence between Sierra Leone and their respective countries of appointment.

 

In his statement, the Dean of the Consular Corps, Adonis Aboud commended the Minister and her team for organizing such a fruitful gathering. Mr. Aboud assured the Minister that, as Consular Corps, they will continue to work closer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to contribute immensely to the country’s Mid- Term Development Plan.

The meeting was climaxed with fruitful discussions towards national development.

 

 

(MFAIC Press Office Freetown)

CRS President Engages the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs on Development Initiatives

CRS President engages the Dep. Minister

The President who doubles as CEO Worldwide of the Catholic Relief Services and team on Monday 20th, January 2020 called on the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Solomon Jamiru ESQ and Directors at the Ministry’s Conference Hall, Tower Hill, Freetown.

Speaking on the purpose of the visit, the CRS President and CEO Worldwide, Mr. Sean L. Callahan informed that the visit was in two folds, first to appreciate the great collaboration between Sierra Leone and the CRS and also to discuss on their development strides for the country.

The CRS CEO and President thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development for their excellent cooperation and support to the Organization.

He expressed the essence of signing the Development Agreement between Sierra Leone and CRS which according to him will further strengthen the cordial relationship between the two; thereby ensuring a longer term commitment.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Solomon Jamiru, acting on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis who is unavoidably out of the country at the moment, heartily welcomed the President and team from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and thanked the Organization for its numerous supports  given to Sierra Leone.

He applauded CRS for choosing Sierra Leone as one of its development partners in the world and assured the team that the Ministry will work closely with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that the final agreement is ready to be executed by both parties.

 

 

(MFAIC Press Office Freetown)

Sierra Leone Foreign Minister Chairs the 8th Session of C-10 Ministerial-Level Meeting in Dakar

Sierra Leone Foreign Minister Chairs C-10 Ministerial Meeting in Dakar

The Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis chaired the 8th Session of the Ministerial-Level Meeting of the African Union Committee of Ten African Heads of State and Government (C-10) on the reform of the United Nations Security Council at the King Fahd Place Conference Hall in Dakar, Senegal which commenced on Sunday 12th January, 2020. 

Speaking at opening of the two-day meeting, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, thanked the C-10 Permanent Representatives for their active role and contribution in promoting the Common African Position in the various multilateral fora. She further commended the African Union Commission for its invaluable role in facilitating the work of the C-10.

The Minister noted that the statements made by several Heads of States, including African leaders, during the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly emphasized the need to support the enhancement of African representation in an expanded Security Council. She called on her counterparts, Ambassadors and experts to take advantage of the growing support for the Common African Position as espoused in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.   

Minister Tunis entreated participants to actively engage in consultations with member states with a view to achieving an outcome that enjoys the widest possible political acceptance that will ultimately address the African Common Position at the UN Security Council. To achieve this, she admonished the delegates to remain cohesive on all aspects of the reform process and continue to speak with one voice in unity of purpose.

She encouraged the delegates to engage in a frank and dispassionate discussion that will not only further consolidate this Position but also accelerate the achievement of the common objectives of the African continent. “We should in this endeavor continue to be firmly committed to upholding the integrity of the Common African Position.” She concluded.

Welcoming the delegates, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of the Republic of Senegal, Amadou Ba said, Senegal in partnership with Sierra Leone and the African Union Commission hosted the 8th Session of the Ministerial Meeting of the Committee of Ten (C-10) ahead of the 33rd Ordinary Session of the African Union scheduled to take place in February, this year.

Speaking on the formation of the C-10, the Senegal Foreign Minister said the Committee comprises ten countries, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Kenya, Libya, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, Uganda, Congo and Zambia.

The mandate of the Committee, he said, is to present, defend and popularize the Common African Position as enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration to grant the African Continent two (2) permanent seats and two (2) Non-permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council.

The purpose of the Common African Position, Minister Ba said, was to eradicate the historical injustice against Africa as demonstrated by the absence of the continent at the United Nations Security Council.

The C-10 meeting in Dakar he said, would allow the Committee of Ten to discuss the process of Inter-Governmental Negotiation which is in progress in New York; adding that they will also discuss the prospect of reinforcing the C-10 and the Common African Position.

He stated that the mobilization of Ministers of Member States to participate in the 8th Ministerial Level Meeting witnesses the need for the continuous engagement of those countries in favour of the Common African Position.

On the second day of the meeting, the Hon. Minister noted with satisfaction in her statement, that, their presence was a demonstration of the collective commitment of Africa Heads of State and Government in pursuing the mandate to canvass, promote and advance the Common African Position on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council. 

“Allow me, Your Excellency President Macky Sall to convey to you sir, hearty commendations from His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, for Your Excellency’s unflinching personal commitment and that of his other peers C-10 Heads of State and Government to canvassing, promoting and advancing the Common African Position, as well as for upholding the exactness of our position on the reform process.” She stated.

 

The Minister recalled that, several consultative meetings have been held in different Africa cities including Freetown, Nairobi, Oyo, Livingstone, Windhoek and Malabo and that they are in the historic city of Dakar to continue with the consultations on how to build progress in advancing and canvassing the Common African Position as adopted in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration; and also to explore means to further solidify the cohesiveness and unity among African Union Member States on the reform process of the United Nations Security Council.

Madam Tunis maintained that, the Coordinator, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, has, on few occasions, stated that, the United Nations was designed for a different world, born as a result of the effect of the Second World War, when colonial reign was supreme.

She said the Dakar meeting provided them the opportunity to take stock of the current state of play of the reform process, and accordingly report to their Heads of State and Government on the way forward.

She expressed her profound thanks and appreciation to those member states that have recognized and supported the call for the immediate redress of the demand for an equitable representation in the Security Council.

The Sierra Leone Foreign Minister on behalf of her colleague Foreign Ministers, thanked the Ambassadors from Addis Ababa and New York and their experts for the great commitment they demonstrated at the Senior Officials meeting on Sunday 12th January, 2020.

In her statement, the African Union Commissioner on Political Affairs, Her Excellency Cessouma Minata Samate, thanked and applauded the Government of Senegal for hosting the 8th Ministerial Level Meeting of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C-10) on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council.

She stressed the need for unity among Africans and encouraged all to hold firm to the Common African Position within the framework of the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration which according to her, will help to address the historic injustices meted out to the African Continent.

 

In his official opening statement, the President of Senegal, His Excellency Macky Sall expressed his thanks and appreciation to the  delegates for their commitment to the Common African Position and attendance at the meeting.

He thanked his Sierra Leonean counterpart, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for his unwavering time and efforts in coordinating the C-10.

The Dakar Ministerial Level Meeting, President Macky Sall said was an opportunity for them to evaluate the ongoing New York negotiations on the Common African Position on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council.

He called on his African counterparts to be firm and steadfast on the Common African Position for 2 Permanent Seats with veto rights and 2 Non-permanent Seats at the UN Security Council.

 

(MFAIC Press Office Freetown)