Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets With Delegation From Organization of Military Sports In Africa

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Tower Hill, Freetown, 29th, November, 2021. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Madam Mamadi Gobeh-Kamara has met with delegation from Organization of Military Sports in Africa who are on a planning visit for their next general assembly which will be hosted in Sierra Leone by 2022.

 

According to the head of delegation, Brigadier General Maikano Abdullahi, the courtesy call on the Deputy Minister was to engage and crave on the Ministry’s indulgence to help facilitate the invitation of their delegates for their next general assembly.

The organization also presented a proposal for His Excellency the President, Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio to donate a trophy in one of the sports disciplines which will be named after him for the 2022 military sport which will involve the 51 member Countries of the organization.

 

The Deputy Minister in her succinct statement, welcomed the delegation and expressed her delight over the military organizing itself to internationally compete in sports.

” Sierra Leone is a sport loving nation, and our President is a fan of sports. This is important in view of the need for members of the armed forces to unite in the spirit of camaraderie and goodwill” she stated.

She assured the organization of Government’s fullest support and the Ministry’s willingness to provide whatever positive support that will enhance the general assembly become successful event.

 For more information….
Membui Emmanuel,
+23276-631757
Director, Media & Strategic Communications
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

 

On the Margins of FoCAC, China reaffirms Support for Sierra Leone

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The minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David John Francis has met with his Chinese Counterpart, His Excellency, Wang Yi in the margins of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the forum on China -Africa Cooperation (FoCAC) in Dakar, Senegal.

In their bilateral discussion, Professor Francis highlighted the special relationship that existed between China and Sierra Leone for 50 years effective 1971. He said Sierra Leone has constantly supported China in all Global forums including the United Nations. Professor Francis asked for China support for Sierra Leone’s seat bid in the United Nations Security Council at the Non-Permanent Category for 2024-2025.

He ended by presenting the infrastructural plans for the Lungi bridge which will link freetown and Lungi and the construction of a smart city in Lungi to his counterpart for China’s consideration and support.

information….
Membui Emmanuel,
+23276-631757
Director, Media & Strategic Communications
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

 

Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Reiterates ECOWAS Common Position on The Political Situation In Guinea

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Farmington Hotel, Roberts International Airport, Margibi County, Republic of Liberia, 22nd November, 2021. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Professor David John Francis delivered a statement at the opening Ceremony of a two-day Conference on the Mano River Union Diplomatic, peace, security and Democracy in Monrovia, Liberia.

In his statement, Professor Francis reiterated the ECOWAS common position and commitment to support the Republic of Guinea in restoring constitutional order and return to Civilian Democratic rule within the timeframe set by ECOWAS. He called on the MRU to actively support the ECOWAS agenda and transitional roadmap on the Republic of Guinea and to engage the ECOWAS mediator in the person of Dr. Ibn Chambers and the ECOWAS Chair of council of Ministers as part of the collective effort to restore constitutional authority in Guinea.

In support of the above, Professor Francis presented Sierr Leone as the only Country in Africa and the world today that has a setting Democratically elected President in the person of President Julius Maada Bio who in 1996, as Military Head of State, Organized democratic elections under International Community’s supervision, restore constitutional rule and mediate the exit of the Military from Civilian Democratic politics.

He stated that Sierra Leone stands ready to make this expertise available to support the work of the ECOWAS mediators in Guinea and Mali as well as the African Union mediators in Sudan.

The Conference brings together Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Chief of staff, the special Representative of the UN Secretary General for West Africa, Senior representatives and observers from the AU and ECOWAS.

more information….
Membui Emmanuel,
+23276-631757
Director, Media & Strategic Communications
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

 

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lays to Parliament 4 Agreements for Ratification

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House of Parliament, Tower Hills, 16th November, 2021. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and international cooperation, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, has presented to parliament four bilateral agreements and Memoranda of understanding between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Republic of Turkey.

 

The agreements which were presented to Parliament consists; an agreement on trade and economic cooperation signed on October, 2012, agreement on the elimination of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion and avoidance, protocol on cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation and protocol of cooperation on Higher Education scholarships between the Ministry of Higher education of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related communities of the Republic of Turkey demonstrates the cordial bilateral relations between the two Countries.

 

These agreements, when ratify by parliament will help creating jobs, generate income for people, give consumers and businesses access to a wider range of high- quality products, strengthen institutional academic and administrative capacity, Improved quality of educational provision, Increased diversity of educational programmes and Increased efficiency of higher education systems achieved through economies of scale and scope resulting from transnational cooperation.

For more information….
Membui Emmanuel,
+23276-631757
Director, Media & Strategic Communications
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

 

Foreign Minister Launched the popularization of the National Reporting Mechanism to International Treaty Bodies

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Golden Tulip, Kimbima, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 15th November, 2021 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has today launched the populirisation of the First ever National Reporting Mechanism to International Treaty Bodies organized in collaboration with UNDP to assist Government meet its treaty reporting obligations.

 

 

The Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Prince E. O Cole in his welcoming address said, Sierra Leone being a signatory to many International human rights treaties such as the Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the Convention on the right of the Child, the Convention of all forms of racial discrimination, among others, made it obligational to us as a nation to periodically submit our reports to treaty bodies to ascertain the level of compliance under such treaties.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David John Francis in his keynotes address registered his profound appreciation on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone to the directorate of Legal Affairs and ECOTEC in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who worked hard to produce the National Reporting Mechanism to International treaty Bodies, which he said will enable Sierra Leone to clear all backlogs on reporting, but to also ensure that Sierra Leone will no longer default on such reporting obligations as reliable partners on the international stage with a clear understanding of our foreign policy objectives as stated in section 10, with specific reference to paragraph (d) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No.6 of 1991.

 

“Sierra Leone cannot project its International visibility as a credible and respectable member of the international community if we do not fulfill our international obligations ” He stated.

Professor Francis said Sierra Leone being a credible, respectable and rebranded nation is poised to become the envy of all with standard practice that can be emulated by all as we take the Country back to the glory days, when the rest of the sub-region would look up to our Country for the best in almost everything.

“The key reporting obligation of Sierra Leone is the universal periodic review that takes the form of a 4 year reporting cycle on the state of human rights in the Country. This he said was the 4th reporting cycle under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the key aim according to him was to guide and strengthen the reporting functions of the state to international treaty bodies.

 

He pledged the Commitment of the Government to fully support the implementation of the Mechanism. In attendance was the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, development partners, stakeholders and staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For more information….
Membui Emmanuel,
+23276-631757
Director, Media & Strategic Communications
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

 

Parliament Ratifies The Sierra Leone-Russia Visa Free Agreement.

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The Sierra Leone House of Parliament has today 9th November, 2021, unanimously ratified an agreement tabled before it by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David John Francis on 21st October, 2021, 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.

While presenting the agreement to Parliament for the second time, Professor Francis said the agreement will pave ways for the establishment of the Russian Embassy in Sierra Leone, thereby ending the risk of traveling to Guinea for Russina Visas which has been a waste of time and resources to Sierra Leoneans. The Minister was optimistic that the agreement will bring more business and educational opportunities for Sierra Leone.

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

 

With the agreement now ratified by Parliament, this 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 between both Countries

 

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY

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GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY

6th November 2021

In the late hours of Friday 5th November 2021, a fire incident was reported to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) at Wellington PMD Junction involving a loaded fuel tanker and a truck carrying granite stones that led to the loss of lives and properties.

Initial findings revealed that both vehicles collided on the highway while the fuel tanker was about entering into a nearby filling station to discharge its fuel.

Footages and eyewitnesses intimated that while the collision took place, both drivers came out of their vehicles and warned community residents to stay off the scene while trying to address a leakage emanating from the collision.

In the interim, some community members rushed to the scene and took advantage of the leakage to scoop fuel and store it in nearby makeshift structures. In the cause of scooping the fuel, there was a major explosion that resulted in the fire disaster that occurred.

The NDMA immediately visited the scene and coordinated emergency response with partners. Ambulances were assembled to take corpses and those in critical situations to various hospitals in Freetown.

Data provided so far indicates that a total of 98 deaths have been recorded and 92 victims are currently admitted at various hospitals within Freetown. Of the total hospitalized victims suffering from varying degrees of burning, there are 48 at Connaught Hospital, 20 at 34 Military Hospital, 18 at Emergency Hospital and 6 at Choithram Hospital.

The Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has ensured that adequate Doctors and Nurses are fully on duty since last night. Also, sufficient medical supply has been provided to the victims in the various hospitals.

The NDMA held an initial coordination meeting with relevant partners at the All 4 One Orphanage centre at Wellington and agreed to activate a level 2 national response based on the enormity of the disaster. A Protection Desk has also been activated at the Ministry of Social Welfare to provide Mental Health and Psychosocial support for affected victims.

On behalf of the government, the Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh visited the various hospitals to ensure the provision of effective medical service to the victims. Today, 6th November 2021, the Vice President also visited the epicentre of the disaster in sympathy with families and members of the public affected by the inferno. He assured them of Government’s full support in responding to this crisis.

NDMA and partners have established an Incident Command Center (ICC) at the disaster scene to ensure effective coordination and ensured the activation of the National Situation Room (NSR) at its headquarters, Aberdeen, Freetown. This will be followed by a comprehensive assessment to ascertain the full extent of the damage left by the disaster and tracing of lost family members.

The public is encouraged to call the undermentioned numbers to relay or receive information on family members affected: NDMA Africell toll-free line 1199, Directorate of Communications, NDMA +23278388946, Col. Doc. Silvarlie at 34 Military Hospital +23280290824, Harold Thomas, Ministry of Health and Sanitation +23276602460, Connaught Hospital, Foday Musa, +23279974878 and Ministry of Social Welfare, Gbangay Kanu +23276575280.

The Government of Sierra Leone through the National Disaster Management Agency is hereby expressing its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and is assuring the public of its continued support towards alleviating the suffering of the affected population. The public will be duly updated on emerging issues relating to this unfortunate disaster.

For More Enquiries:
Directorate of Communications National Disaster Management Agency Contact: +23278388946
Email: mohamedlbah@ndma.gov.sl

At COP26 World Leaders Summit, President Bio Makes A Strong Case For Sierra Leone.

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His Excellency President Brig. Julius Maada Bio is among the 120 World leaders in Glasgow for COP26. During the official opening courtesies, President Bio met a number of world leaders including the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, European Commission President, Madam Ursula Von Der Leyen and a host of Presidents from the African Continent.

 

Preside Julius Maada Bio made a strong case for Sierra Leone at COP26 world leaders summit on United Nations Climate Change and the opportunities for Sierra Leone to access climate finance for climate adaptation and resilience.

Sierra Leone is one of the 3 Countries on the Continent of Africa accorded the honor to construct a pavilion at the COP26 village in Glasgow, Scotland.