New UN Resident Coordinator Presents Copies of Letter of Credence to Foreign Affairs Minister

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MoFAIC Building, Tower Hill Freetown, 14th December 2023.

The newly appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakana, today presented copies of her Letters of Credence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Musa Timothy Kabba.

Mrs. Wakana during her presentation expressed a condolence message on behalf of the UN Secretary-General and the UN Country Team over the unfortunate attempted coup on November 26th, 2023 that claimed the lives of some military and security personnel.

Mrs. Wakana said that she had been briefed on the crucial role that her office will be playing as Co-Chair in the implementation of the National Dialogue framework between the Government of Sierra Leone and the opposition party the All People’s Congress.
She said that the role of the UN is not only to sustain peace but to work towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals ahead of Agenda 2023.

She noted that the Government of Sierra Leone is on track in the implementation of the ‘Big Five’ agenda that addresses some of the SDGs.
She assured the Minister that the UN Resident Coordinator’s office is ready to mobilize support from development partners in any capacity or expertise in realizing some of the priority areas of the government that are also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2024-30).

Receiving her Letter of Credence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Musa Timothy Kabba welcomed and congratulated Mrs. Seraphine Wakana on her appointment as UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone; adding that she was coming at a time when the country’s record of being one of the most peaceful nations was being tested as a result of the November 26 failed coup.

He assured the UN Resident Coordinator that the Government and partners were working to restore calmness in the country.
Minister Kabba said that the role of the United Nations since its formation in 1945 in maintaining global security cannot be overemphasized; noting the role of the UN in transitioning Sierra Leone from a war-ravaged country to a post-war reconstructive nation.

The Minister briefed the UN Resident Coordinator that the Election Review Committee was a recommendation made after the National Dialogue between the Government of Sierra Leone and the main opposition APC that was facilitated by the UN and other partners to address Sierra Leone’s election challenges.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Francess P. Algali highlighted key components of the Feed Sierra Leone initiative and how the UN can complement government efforts in realizing some of the development projects in the country.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations… Guinea Government Appreciates Sierra Leone After Fire Disaster Intervention

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MFAIC Building, Tower Hill, Freetown, 5th January 2024-

The Government of the Republic of Guinea has sent a high-powered delegation to Freetown in appreciation of Sierra Leone’s prompt intervention when an explosion in Conakry recently took lives in addition to property worth millions of dollars.

Led by their Prime Minister, Dr. Bernard Goumou, the Guinean delegation comprised their Foreign Minister, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, and other key stakeholders from the Government of Guinea who visited Sierra Leone from the 4th to the 5th of January 2024.
The delegation met with His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio and top Sierra Leone government officials and conveyed messages of appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for supporting Guinea in time of need.

A special ceremony was held in the auditorium of the Foreign Service Academy where the Prime minister lavished praises on Sierra Leone’s Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh who led an emergency medical team to Guinea at the time. The VP together with the medical team and leaders of the Sierra Leone Petroleum Regulatory Agency were adorned with decorations of honor by the Guinean envoy on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the delegation held bilateral trade and investment talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Musa Timothy Kabba, said that part of the provisions of the new trade agreement will ensure that Guinea gains access to Sierra Leone’s port facilities for the importation of their petroleum products for onward trucking to Guinea since their petroleum depot was gutted by fire during the explosion, and it will take time to reconstruct.
Minister Kabba said that the bilateral agreement will also ensure collaboration between Guinea and Sierra Leone in the area of security and education.

Dr. Bernard Goumou, Guinea’s Prime Minister said that the fire incident seriously affected the running of their country. However, the timely intervention from the Government of Sierra Leone has helped to address their petroleum challenges.
Dr. Goumou on behalf of the leader of Guinea Col. Mamady Doumbouya, thanked Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone for coming to their aid in time of need.
In his keynote address, Sierra Leone’s Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh thanked the government of Guinea for honoring Sierra Leoneans for their timely support during the crisis.
Emphasizing the need for peace and stability, Dr. Jalloh said Guinea and Sierra Leone are two countries with one people with the same culture and tradition.
The Vice President, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh said that both countries have been enjoying bilateral relations for ages and that for Sierra Leone to stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea was the best thing the country did.

*From the Directorate of Strategic Communication*
+23276571819.