Deputy Minister Of Foreign Affairs Meets with EU Elections Observer Mission

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Tower Hill, Freetown, 28th October, 2021. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara has met with the European Union Elections Observer delegation who are in Sierra Leone to follow- up on the gains made in the implementation of the EU recommendations after the 2018 General Elections.

The team was welcomed by the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Prince E.O Cole, who commended the delegation for their commitment in promoting peace and security in the region.

Presenting the delegation to the Minister, The EU Ambassador, H.E Manuel Mueller thanked the Government for the strides made in promoting human rights and peace.
The head of the delegation, Norbert Nevser, a member of the European Parliament said they were in Sierra Leone in order to engage the Government and the opposition parties on how the recommendations made after the 2018 General Elections have been implemented so far for building a better electoral system. He said the team has already engaged some state institutions, including the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), and leaders of different political parties in order to see a continuous reform in electoral system in areas of inclusiveness and transparency so that every Sierra Leonean will have confidence in the electoral process. He commended the Government for maintaining peace and promoting national Cohesion.

The Deputy Minister in her remarks thanked the delegation for the professionalism exhibited during the 2018 General elections. She assured the delegation of the Government’s Commitment in implementing the recommendations made in 2018. This she said has been demonstrated by the abolition of the seditious libel law and the death penalty from our constitution. She thanked the European Union for it support to Sierra Leone in areas of Agriculture, Education, peace and security.

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed Government’s willingness to implement and follow all recommendations made in the 2018 general elections as a means of upholding the EU share values.

Deputy Minister meets AU Special Envoy for Women, peace and Security

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Tower Hill, Freetown 26th October, 2021. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara has met with Delegation from African Union special envoy for women, peace and security who are on a familiarization tour in commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the United Nations resolution 1325 which is the first UN resolution on women.

Welcoming the delegation, the Deputy Director General for Policy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Sullay-Manah Kpukumu said the Ministry was honoured to engaged with the delegation on what he referred to as a Diplomatic engagement in order to discuss and suggest ways on improving women participation in assuming leadership in our society. He said it was reflecting that the delegation had already engaged with other MDA’s. He assured them of a fruitful stay as they meet with more stakeholders during their visit.

The head of delegation, Amb. Catherine Mogaka, Said Sierra Leone being a member of the Charter of African women’s Network was among the two Countries selected for their fact finding and familiarization tour due to the Country’s commitment in formulating and implementing policies on gender equality and women’s empowerment. She commended Sierra Leone for been part of the 35 member states that have worked towards achieving the resolution 1325.

The Deputy Minister, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara in her succinct statement expressed her appreciation to the delegation for the visit while welcoming them to both the Ministry and Sierra Leone respectively. She said the Government of His. Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has done so much in the empowerment of women and gender equality issues. Referring to President Bio as a “He for She” President, Minister Mamadi Gobeh mentioned the appointment of certain women into key positions.
” The appointment of a woman as Deputy Inspector General of Police, the then Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the gender and social welfare Ministries and the recruitment of 300 female into the security sector, including the appointment of women as Ambassadors, Deputy Ambassadors and Deputy Ministers, shows how committed President Bio is in the empowerment of women.” She stated.

 

The Deputy Minister also mentioned the formulation of the gender policy acts, the sexual offenses court, and the remarkable effort by the First Lady in the “Hands off our Girls” campaign as benchmarks to show that Sierra Leone is making progress in promoting gender equality and women empowerment.

She thanked the team for their visit while assuring them of the Government’s fullest support on issues dealing with gender and women’s empowerment.

Foreign Affairs Minister Attends AU-EU Ministerial Meeting In Kigali, Rwanda

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Kigali, Rwanda, 26th October, 2021. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Profession David John Francis is representing Sierra Leone at the 2nd AU -EU Ministerial Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting aims at promoting partnership for peace, security, Strengthening Governance, migration and mobility, as well as resilient and inclusive development focusing on investing in People.

On the margins of the AU-EU Foreign Ministers Meeting, Professor Francis will hold series of bilateral Meetings with his colleague foreign Ministers. Professor Francis and the Foreign Minister of Rwanda H.E Vincent Biruta had fruitful meeting where they discussed issues relating to strengthening Bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, Agriculture and the mining sector.

 

Professor Francis also signed an MOU with his Counterpart H.E Peter Szijjrato of Hungary on behalf of the Minister of Technical and Higher Education for 50 Scholarships annually for a period of 5 years from the Government of Hungary. The 50 scholarships for qualified Sierra Leoneans will be for BA/BSc, MA/MSC and PHD at universities in Hungary, starting September, 2022.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lays the Russian -Sierra Leone Visa-Free Agreement In Parliament.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David John Francis has today, 21st October, 2021, presented to Parliament an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Russian Federation on Visa-free travels for holders of Diplomatic and service passports.

The Memorandum of Understanding which was signed by the Minister and his Counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, during the one day state visit to Moscow will strengthen the already existing relationship both Countries have enjoyed over the years.

When approved by Parliament, the agreement will not only provide practical benefits, but also help in creating a sense of acceptance and inclusion, maintaining a high level of bilateral support, offers access to knowledge, exchange of experiences and directly shapes Cooperation in all segments.

Sierra Leone Emerges As Sole Candidate For West Africa For Un Security Council Seat Bid – 2024-2025

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis represented Sierra Leone at the 39th AU Executive Council Meeting organized by the African Union and held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from the 14th to the 17th October, 2021. Professor David Francis updated his colleague Foreign Ministers of the African Union that Sierra Leone’s United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat bid in the Non-Permanent Category for 2024-2025 was in principle, endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers & Summit of Heads of States in Accra, Ghana in June 2021. Professor Francis also used the platform at the 39th Executive Council Meeting to formally present Sierra Leone’s UNSC seat bid in the Non-Permanent Category for 2024-2025 consideration and endorsement by the African Union.  As a show of solidarity and reciprocity, the Federal Republic of Nigeria withdrew its Candidature in favour of the Republic of Sierra Leone. In 2010, Sierra Leone also withdrew its candidature in favour of Nigeria. The Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone thanked Nigeria for their show of support for common solidarity to promote smaller states on the world stage. He profoundly thanked His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Foreign Minister of Nigeria for their magnanimity. 

In another engagement, the Minister of Foreign and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis has represented His Excellency President Bio at the 3rd mid-year Coordination Meeting of the African Union Heads of States and Governments. The Meeting focused on the status of Regional Integration in Africa; Division of Labour between the Member States, African Union Commission and the Regional Economic Communities; Covid-19 Pandemic in Africa and Provisional Appointment of the Chief Executive Office of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).