China Grants Sierra Leone 13M USD

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MFAIC Building, Tower Hill Freetown, 29th November 2023

In an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement Between the Government of The People’s Republic of China and The Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Chinese Government has granted the sum of 100 million RMB Yuan (an equivalent of $13m) to the Government and the people of Sierra Leone. The grant agreement was signed Wednesday, November 29 by the Republic of Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Musa Timothy Kabba, and the Peoples Republic of China’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Wang Qing at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Tower Hill, Freetown.

With a view to further deepen the friendly relations, economic and technical cooperation between the two countries, the agreement aims to support the economic and social development of Sierra Leone.

Ambassador Wang Qing recalled that China and Sierra Leone have a long-standing relationship and that in recent years, the two countries have together continuously enhanced geo-political mutual trust and achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation and related closely in international affairs. The signing of the agreement on Wednesday, was another practical demonstration by China to support the economic and social development of Sierra Leone, the ambassador said. He said China was willing to take the opportunity to implement the important consensus of the two heads of state and promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Sierra Leone to benefit the people of both countries.

Minister Kabba expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of President Bio, to the Chinese Government and people for their long-term valuable assistance to Sierra Leone. The Minister said that the signing of the agreement was symbolic of the strong friendship between the two countries. He said the grant would help advance President Bio’s second-term governance agenda of the BIG FIVE GAME CHANGERs and that Sierra Leone would work with China to deepen the friendly cooperation between the two Great Nations.

America Congratulates Sierra Leone for Defending Democracy and assures approval of MCC Compact

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Directorate of Strategic Communications
MFAIC Building, Tower Hill, Freetown
29 November, 2023

The US Government has unequivocally condemned the Freetown November 26th Security Breach, calling it an attack on democracy, Ambassador Bryan David Hunt says. The Ambassador congratulated the government of Sierra Leone for stopping “those who wanted to avert democracy and bring chaos to Sierra Leone”.

The US position was made clear during the ambassador’s courtesy call on Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Musa Timothy Kabba, on Wednesday, at his Tower Hill Office.

Ambassador Hunt said the American Government stands with the Sierra Leone Government for taking the stance to repel, pursue, arrest, and hold accountable all the dissidents involved in the failed coup.
Hunt told the minister, that he has on behalf of the American Government, congratulated Major General Dauda Alpha, the Joint Forces Commander of the Republic of Sierra Leone’s Armed Forces through a telephone call. He said he congratulated the commander and his men for standing tall to defend the assault on democracy. The US government was pleased with the military’s dedication and gallantry in repelling the assailants, he emphasized. Hunt said the American government will support the government of Sierra Leone with investigations to ensure that the assailants account for their actions.

The American government will continue to stand with the Government and people of Sierra Leone as they support the Sierra Leone Government’s action to search, cordon, arrest, and prosecute all the assailants.

On another note, Ambassador Hunt said Sierra Leone remained on track for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The United States Embassy in Sierra Leone, he said, will continue to work with the Government of Sierra Leone to ensure the compact valued at around $480 Million is realized.

He said Sierra Leone as a non-permanent Member of the UN Security Council, has a key role to play in the peace and stability of West Africa and beyond. Hence, the United States encourages President Julius Maada Bio to play a critical role in resolving the political crises in West Africa.
He called on Sierra Leone to join the United States and other nations in endorsing the Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation so that Sierra Leone could become a full member.

Minister Kabba welcomed the ambassador and expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone. He appreciated the United State’s stance on democracy as well as law and order in Sierra Leone, especially for demonstrating early support for the Government of Sierra Leone on the unfortunate events of November 26. He stressed that the Government of Sierra Leone will continue to encourage the security forces to act within the confines of the law as they engage the remnants of the insurgents who are still lurking out in the dark.
Kabba said despite the threat to the security situation posed by the insurgents, Sierra Leone will forge ahead with the work of the Electoral Review Committee.
The minister acknowledged the ambassador’s positive overview of Sierra Leone’s fulfillment of the MCC criteria, noting that some detractors were using the MCC to play politics without understanding the progress Sierra Leone has made on the MCC over the years. Kabba said that President Bio’s experience as having been a military leader before and now as a democratic leader places him strategically to play a key role in resolving the political crises in West Africa. He assured the ambassador that Sierra Leone would endorse the Declaration on the Atlantic Cooperation.

Outgoing UN Resident Coordinator Bids Farewell to the Foreign Minister, Commends Gov’t Timely Responses to Global Challenges

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MoFAIC Building, Tower Hill Freetown, 20th November 2023

The outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator to Sierra Leone Dr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi today bid farewell to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Musa Timothy Kabba in his office.

Dr. Ahonsi described his three years of serving in the country as awesome; looking at development initiatives that have been instituted by the Government.

“As I leave Sierra Leone, I firmly believe that the important building blocks for economic and social transformation that have been put in place many of which the United Nations development systems were associated with would yield significant returns in terms of economic and social transformation for the people of Sierra Leone. These are not like building bridges that people see. But with time they will yield return,” Dr. Ahonsi said while citing significant gains in Free Quality Education, access to elementary education, and a drop in maternal mortality.

Dr. Ahonsi recalled the time of his arrival in the country in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when Africa was considered vulnerable due to inadequate preparedness to combat the pandemic. But it turned out that due to the strong leadership of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone became one of the few countries that had a response in place even before the outbreak of the first case. This he said was because the government was able to quickly implement past experiences of Ebola.

He commended Sierra Leone for being one of the first countries in West Africa to fully vaccinate 70% of its citizens against COVID-19 which was in line with the 70% WHO targeted population by November 2022.

Dr. Ahonsi applauded the Feed Salone initiative of the government which he believes will lead to job creation, boost the economy, and lead to food sovereignty thereby attaining some aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals.
He also commended the establishment of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change and Renewable Energy which demonstrates the political will in the fight against climate change.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Musa Timothy Kabba thanked Dr. Ahonsi and the United Nations for being strong partners in supporting government initiatives like the Free Quality Education and other priority areas.

“The United Nations is a strong and reliable partner with Sierra Leone. When you talk about the United Nations, the first thing that comes to our minds is the support to ending Sierra Leone’s civil war and the role that was played in the transformation of the country to the extent that the country now takes part in peacekeeping operations in the world.,” the Minister said.

He said food insecurity is a global malaise, especially in Africa and the move by His Excellency President Bio to initiate the Feed Salone is to respond to that threat which has the potential to undermine the growth of any country.
“President Bio is doing everything to get the Feed Salone right. Our bilateral engagements have been largely on investment in agriculture, and job creation for young people and we continue to work closely with related UN agencies to achieve this initiative.” He said.
The Minister talked about the country’s presence in the United Nations Security Council at a time when there are emerging conflicts across the globe. This he said is the right time for Sierra Leone to share its experience and push for peace in West Africa and other parts of the world.

Sweden Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Congratulates Sierra Leone’s Return to the United Nations Security Council

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MoFAIC Building, Tower Hill, Freetown, 2nd November 2023_

His Excellency Urban Sjostrom, Ambassador-designate to Sweden with resident in Monrovia Liberia, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Musa Timothy Kabba at his office.

His Excellency Sjostrom congratulated Mr. Timothy on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and also congratulated the Government and People of Sierra Leone on the country’s election to the United Nations Security Council non-permanent seat (2024-2025).
He expressed hope that Sierra Leone will not only achieve its goals but the goals of other supporting nations as well.

His Excellency Sjostrom said that over the years, Sweden and Sierra Leone have been enjoying multilateral cooperation through the United Nations and European Union platforms. But it is time both countries established strong bilateral ties which Sweden is committed to doing.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Musa Timothy Kabba thanked Ambassador Sjostrom for such a visit as it reiterates the long-standing relations the country has with Sweden.
Minister Kabba said that the idea of establishing bilateral cooperation with Sweden comes at the right time as His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has launched the big ‘5 Game Changers’ which gives more opportunities for foreign direct investment in the area of agriculture, energy, youth empowerment, tourism, and culture, innovation, and technology.

The Minister also highlighted the government’s effort in building strong human capital by investing in education and technology. These he said are the foundation of building a strong nation.
He reiterated the government and the ministry’s commitment to maintaining a strong bilateral relation and to always reach out to him whenever the need arises.

From the Directorate of Strategic Communications
+23276571819

Sierra Leone and South Africa Agree on Visa Waiver For Holders of a Diplomatic, Service Passport MoFAIC Building, Tower Hill, Freetown, 2nd November 2023.

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In furthering the diplomatic ties between the two countries, Sierra Leone and South Africa have agreed on a visa waiver for holders of Diplomatic and Service passports in both countries.

During a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Timothy M. Kabba, South African High Commissioner to Ghana and Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Grace Jeanet Mason, said that this will benefit both countries in terms of easy access and strengthen diplomatic and bilateral ties.

She said that the entry visa waiver for holders of Diplomatic and Service passports will take effect on the 30th of November 2023.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Timothy M. Kabba welcomed the development as it resonates with the mandate of the Ministry in promoting diplomatic and bilateral relations.

The Minister said that the visa waiver is a win-win situation for both countries as they seek to facilitate free movement, investment and development.

The Minister noted how Sierra Leone and South Africa continue to benefit from their mutual bilateral relations in the area of education, development, and development.

Minister Timothy highlighted the key priorities of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio in the areas of education, food security, energy, mining, tourism, and investment as he called on investors to explore those opportunities.

As the Kingdom of Morocco is Set To Open an Embassy in Sierra Leone… Foreign Affairs Minister Assures Strong Bilateral & Diplomatic Ties

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MoFAIC Building, Tower Hill, Freetown, 31st October 2023

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Timothy Musa Kabba has assured Morocco’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia His Excellency S.E.M Isam Taib that his country remains committed to upholding strong diplomatic bilateral ties with Morocco.
During the courtesy call on the Minister, Ambassador Taib said that Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Morocco continue to enjoy mutually beneficial cooperation, and the signing of the 3rd Session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation between the two countries in Dakhla shows their commitment to strengthen the existing bilateral ties.
Ambassador Taib reiterated Morocco’s commitment to the implementation of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) in the areas of education, agriculture, tourism, mining, and to see how Moroccan SMEs can invest in the country.
He informed the Minister that Morocco has already secured a building for the hosting of an embassy in Freetown which will start operating soon.
He assured the minister that Morocco stands ready to support Sierra Leone in the United Nations Security Council in the area of experts since they have previously served in the Council.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Musa Timothy Kabba thanked the Kingdom of Morocco for being a strong and reliable ally to Sierra Leone for years.
The Minister commended Morocco’s commitment to support Sierra Leone in the UN Security Council as that will not only strengthen the country’s participation but also provide a strong representation of the African continent.
On the Joint Commission for Cooperation, the minister said that it has received the highest consideration from the Government of Sierra Leone as the Cabinet has already approved its provisions and it is currently in Parliament for ratification.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said that they look forward to the earliest implementation of the provisions in the JCC which also resonate with the Big Five agenda of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio especially the ‘Feed Sierra Leone’ where Moroccan experts are needed to boost the agriculture sector.
He said that Sierra Leone has established a Foreign Service Academy for diplomatic training and that he looks forward to the support of Morocco in building the capacity of the Academy.

On the opening of an embassy in Freetown, the Minister expressed his appreciation and hope to receive the Charge’ D Affairs as he also looking forward to the support of the Moroccan government for the reinvigoration of the Mano River Union.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Francess P. Algali, the Director-General and Ambassador at Large of the Ministry Dr. Victoria M. Sulimani, and the Acting Director of the Africa Directorate, Mr. Steven Levey.

From the Directorate of Strategic Communications
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+23276571819