Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Seeks Commonwealth Support In Trade and Connectivity Programs.

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The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam. Mamadi Gobeh Kamara has requested for technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat through its trade and connectivity programme in a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to brief the Government on the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (GHOM) to be held in Rwanda.

The Commonwealth Secretary General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, said they have put together a whole lot of implementation phases for the Commonwealth trade and Connectivity programs so as to enable their member states to implement in practical ways. The programs she said covers access to Justice, prevention of terrorism, infrastructure and energy transition that will help Nations to move from fossil fuel to green gas. She assured the Government of Sierra Leone’s of there fullest Support.

The Deputy Minister in her statement made a request that will enhance Sierra Leone`s capacity for growth and expansion in digital trade for the up-take of e-commerce and the online delivery of certain services which she notes would be pivotal to support economic recovery, post- COVID as well as address future economic shocks and crisis.

The Deputy Foreign Minister made this request on Monday 24th January 2022 during Secretary- General Patricia Scotland’s courtesy call to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation.

Md Mamadi Gobeh Kamara expressed delight for the Commonwealth Office’s continued support to the government of Sierra Leone and thanked the Secretary- General and her Secretariat for their contribution and support to Sierra Leone during the global coronavirus Pandemic that continues to socio-economically ravage economies across the world, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

” As a government, we have had extensive partnership with the commonwealth and I believe there is more that we can do together”, she added.

The support provided in Technical cooperation projects , especially ones dealing with the Environment, are worth noting. There have been some delays in some of the work we do together due to the coronavirus pandemic” but I believe now that things are slowing picking up, we will fast track the implementation of some of these interventions. The Deputy Foreign Minister said.

She further applauded the Commonwealth Secretariat’s technical assistance and support through their Human Rights Unit during Sierra Leone’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.

We remain committed as government to institute policies and reforms for the betterment of our people and country.

She informed the Secretary General, that Sierra Leone has made tremendous achievements since the last CHOGM held in 2018 especially in the areas of democracy and the rule of law.
“As you may be aware as a government, we took an audacious step to repealed the 55-year-old ` Criminal Libel Law` in 2020, a move that saw Sierra Leone ranked as one of the top five Countries in Africa, supporting and facilitating freedom of expression in the 2019/2020 Global Expression Report”. Government has also repealed the death penalty, amongst other progressive legislation that has been ratified by parliament all of which the deputy Minister notes are pointers to Government’s commitment democratic good governance.

She calls for more partnership between the Secretariat and the government of Sierra Leone for more tangible outcomes

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

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Delivers Opening Remarks at the C— 10 Ministerial Summit in Kampala, Uganda

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Sierra Leone, Prof. David J. Francis has today, 19th January, 2022 in Kampala, Uganda delivered opening remarks at the Senior Officials meeting of the Ninth Ministerial-Level Meeting of the African Union Committee of Ten ( C-10) Heads of State and Government at the Speke Resort, Munyonyo, Kampala. The meeting was co-chaired by Sierra Leone and Uganda.

In his remarks, the Minister extended President Bio’s fraternal greetings to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Government and the people of the Republic of Uganda, thanking them for hosting the meeting; commending their invaluable and unyielding efforts in ensuring that the continent achieves its ultimate goal of United Nations Security Council Reform.

“Impressive progress has been made in terms of canvassing, promoting and speaking with one voice, but the reform agenda cannot be achieved overnight. Africans should remain committed in upholding African Common Position and maintaining its integrity; and there is a need to continue speaking with one voice about a clear roadmap for effectively advancing the Common African Position on the United Nations Security Council reform” the Minister said.

 

The Minister also commended President Bio for his role as the Chair and Coordinator of the C-10 and his consistency in demonstrating strong leadership and commitment in the pursuit of the C-10 mandate as well as in advancing the objectives of the African Common Position in the reform of the UN Security Council.

In attendance were the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, Hon. Gen. Abubakar Jeje Odongo; Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner Designate to Uganda with residence in Kenya, Madam Isatu Aminata Bundu; Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, HE Alhaji Fanday Turay; Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, HE Adekunle Joliff Milton King; African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye; and Permanent Representatives from the C-10 countries to New York.

Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to United Nations, HE Alhaji Fanday Turay gave a comprehensive overview of the intergovernmental negotiations in the UN system. He expressed profound gratitude to all C-10 members for the collective focus and commitment in advancing the Common African Position on the Reform of the UN Security Council as enshrined in Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.

The Meeting concludes with the Ministerial segment on Thursday 20th January 2022.

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

Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Launched 5 key Governance Documents to Enhance Effective Service Delivery

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Tower Hill, Freetown, 8th January, 2022. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Professor David John Francis has today launched 5 key Governance documents that will guide the day-to-day operations of the Ministry and it’s 24 Foreign Missions abroad at the retreat organized for all Heads of Missions and Senior Management of the Ministry.

The 5 Key Governance documents include:
a: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Strategic Plan 2022- 2025

b: The guidelines Governing the appointment and functions of Honorary Consuls for Sierra Leone.

c: Administrative guide for Ambassadors, Heads of Chanceries, and other Foreign Service officers accredited abroad

d: The Foreign Service Handbook and

e: The Foreign Service Diplomatic List of staff

The Minister further gave a step-by-step explanation about the benefits of the various documents to the government and people of Sierra Leone. According to the Minister, the 5 Governance documents will provide the roadmap for an effective service delivery by both the Ministry and Foreign Missions abroad, promotes the core values of Diplomatic relations in terms of good representation, coordination, supervision, clarity of roles and responsibilities between the Heads of Missions and Heads of Chanceries and the promotion of National interest.

Professor Francis and his team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured Heads of Missions on the monitoring and implementation of the contents of these documents, so as to ensure that their contents are fully implemented for the benefit of all.

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

Promoting Foreign Policy Engagement, Foreign Affairs Host Heads of Missions on A Two- Day Retreats.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has engaged Heads of Foreign Missions on a two-day Foreign Policy engagement retreat on strategic operational issues in order to strengthen Sierra Leone’s engagements and diplomatic representation both at national and international levels with the committed involvement and valuable contributions by all foreign Missions and to enhance quality of work relationship, teamwork and Mission effectiveness and efficiency in pursuing Sierra Leone’s Foreign Policy Objectives as enshrined in Chapter 10 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

According to Professor David John Francis, the retreat will address number of issues which includes; lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities between Heads of Missions and Heads of Chanceries; issues around disbursement and procurements; misunderstanding of the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the coordinating Ministry for all Overseas Missions; Reporting lines and many others.

 

‘‘The pursuance of Sierra Leone’s foreign policy objectives by all overseas Missions is the raison d’être for their existence. In this regard, all activities and engagements of Sierra Leone’s Missions should be in pursuance in fulfilling Sierra Leone’s Foreign Policy objectives. Therefore, message discipline, coordination and teamwork is important among all Heads of Missions.’’ He stated.

The retreat is also said to examine the application of some Government Regulations, Policies and Acts with regards to the procurement, financial management, audit report, Civil Service Code etc.

The Heads of Missions who are key players and front liners of promoting and protecting Sierra Leone’s national interest in line with the President Bio’s agenda for a competitive Sierra Leone that foster better relations with our neighbours and the rest of the world will have the opportunity to meet and interact with colleague on knowledge sharing on their mandates and to dialogue and reflect on the national development process in tandem with the aspirations and goals of the Government and to chat the way forward in advancing their outreache with a view to achieving the foreign policy of Sierra Leone.

The two days retreat which started today, 7th January 2022 will end tomorrow with a clear understanding of all the issues highlighted.

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

Malian Special Envoy H.E Abdoulaye DIOP Pays Courtesy Call on Professor Francis.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs And International Cooperation, Sierra Leone, 4th January, 2022. A delegation from Mali, led by the Foreign Minister, H.E Mr. Abdoulaye DIOP, Special Envoy of His Excellency Colonel Assimi GOITA, President of the transition of the Republic of Mali has paid courtesy call on Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Professor David John Francis as part of their engagement with Authorities in Sierra Leone in order to learn how President Bio as Military leader then, was able to peacefully do a transition from the Military rule to democratic and constitutional order.

H.E. Abdoulaye DIOP in his address thanked President Bio for honouring their request to learn from his personal experience and journey as a former soldier and President that has served as both a military Head of state and now a democratic and civilian President. He said they were here to seek guidance from a Country they admired so much.

 

“Our Country Mali is going through both security and economic crisis and we want to change that narrative. We want you to know that elections alone cannot sove our problems. Until we address those issues that will prevent such crisis never to occur in Mali again”. He said.

Welcoming the delegation, Professor Francis said Sierra Leone was the right Country to visit for guidance and that President Bio has the expertise to offer such guidance being that he is the only President in West Africa who as Military leader and Head of state, conducted peaceful elections and handled over power to a Civilian Government.
He said President Julius Maada Bio will be willing to offer this expertise to what ever Country in order to support the ECOWAS region to promote peace.

“23 years ago, it was Sierra Leone running to Mali for support and today the Malian are here to seek our support. These are all bilateral gains for our Countries” He said.

He thanked the delegation for choosing Sierra Leone while wishing them a successful transition.

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