Sierra Leone Champions Peace and UN Reforms, Says Envoy in UAE

By Emmanuel Sitta

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, UAE, Rashid Sesay, said this week in Abu Dhabi, that Sierra Leone is currently playing a leading and respectable role in pursuing peace, security, and reforms at both continental and international levels. Ambassador Sesay made this statement while addressing a gathering that included diplomats and members of the Sierra Leone community in the UAE, as part of the commemoration of Sierra Leone’s 64th Independence anniversary. He said that as Coordinator of the African Committee of Ten (C-10), President Dr Julius Maada Bio is leading efforts at advancing Africa’s voice for reforms at multilateral institutions, especially the United Nations.

“Sierra Leone is also a member of the non-permanent category of the United Nations Security Council, pursuing efforts towards global peace and security and an equitable world where every voice matters and every opinion counts. In line with our C-10 mandates, Sierra Leone convened a high-level gathering of permanent representatives of C-10 member states at the United Nations. The event, which took place last week in Freetown, was geared towards harmonizing Africa’s position at the global stage,” he stated.

Ambassador Sesay again discussed relations between Sierra Leone and the UAE, noting that in addition to Sierra Leone’s Independence, the event was also important as it marked the 10th anniversary since the opening of the Sierra Leone Embassy in the UAE. He stated that over the years, bilateral relations between the two countries had grown from strength to strength, with several high-level visits between the two countries culminating in the signing of various agreements and MoUs providing the framework for deeper collaboration and engagements in diverse areas.

“Trade between the UAE and Sierra Leone increased by 12% for the period 2022 and 2023. This figure is projected to increase exponentially once the two nations sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), negotiations of which are now at an advanced stage. I want to use this platform to invite credible investors and partners to explore our untapped opportunities,” he noted.

Ambassador Sesay furthered that Sierra Leone’s current development agenda was based on five thematic areas covering agriculture, human capital development, youth empowerment, public sector architecture, technology, and infrastructure. He concluded that with a determined and progressive political leadership, Sierra Leone had enacted favorable laws to attract Foreign Direct Investment and increase its international competitiveness.