SL Urges Continued Russian Support for Agriculture and Human Capital

Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam Francess Piagie Alghali, held a high-level meeting with her Russian counterparts on Saturday, 9th November 2024, on the sidelines of the first Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Summit in Sochi. The meeting was part of Sierra Leone’s efforts to deepen and diversify its diplomatic and economic ties with Russia and other key international partners.

Madam Alghali, who led the Sierra Leonean delegation to the summit, met with Mikhail Bogdanov, the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and African Countries. Mr. Bogdanov, who also serves as Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, is one of the foremost diplomats overseeing Russia’s engagement with Africa.

During the meeting, Madam Alghali conveyed the warm greetings of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba, both of whom could not attend the summit due to unforeseen commitments. She underscored Sierra Leone’s appreciation for its longstanding diplomatic relations with Russia, a partnership that spans more than six decades, dating back to the Soviet era. “Sierra Leone cherishes its bilateral relations with Russia, which have been strong and mutually beneficial for over 63 years. We are committed to expanding this relationship, particularly in areas that will help foster economic growth and social development,” Madam Alghali said.

One of the key issues discussed was the planned reopening of the Russian Embassy in Freetown, which had been closed for several years. Madam Alghali expressed her anticipation for the embassy’s reopening, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Russian diplomatic mission in Sierra Leone. “Sierra Leone is fully supportive of the Russian Embassy’s reopening in Freetown. This is an important step in reinforcing the diplomatic and economic ties between our two countries,” she said. She also assured her Russian counterparts that Sierra Leone would provide the necessary assistance and cooperation to ensure the smooth reopening of the embassy.

The reopening of the embassy is seen as a pivotal move in strengthening bilateral ties and creating more opportunities for collaboration, particularly in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. In recent years, there has been growing interest in expanding Russian business presence in Africa, and Sierra Leone is eager to be part of this new wave of engagement. Madam Alghali called for increased Russian visibility in the Sierra Leonean market, highlighting the potential for mutual benefits. She recalled the days when a Russian-owned sugar company operated in Sierra Leone under the previous Russia-Sierra Leone Cooperation initiative, noting that such partnerships could be revitalized. “I believe there is significant potential for Russian businesses to thrive in Sierra Leone, especially in sectors like agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development. By increasing Russian investments and partnerships, we can work together to build a more prosperous future for both our countries,” Madam Alghali stated.

In addition to trade and investment, the Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in the areas of education and human capital development. She highlighted President Bio’s “Five Big Game Changers” development agenda, which prioritizes education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and governance reform. She called on Russia to continue supporting Sierra Leone’s efforts to achieve its development goals, particularly in human capital development and agriculture. “The people of Sierra Leone face significant challenges in food production, and we are focused on increasing agricultural output to achieve self-sufficiency. Russian expertise in agriculture and food security would be invaluable in supporting this critical area of national development,” she said.

Madam Alghali also expressed gratitude for Russia’s past contributions to Sierra Leone’s development, particularly during times of crisis. She thanked the Russian government for its support during the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and the COVID-19 pandemic, when Russia provided vital assistance through medical supplies, technical expertise, and humanitarian aid. “Russia has been a true friend to Sierra Leone during some of our most difficult times. We are deeply grateful for the support that Russia provided, not only through multilateral channels but also bilaterally, with scholarships for Sierra Leonean students and the donation of critical resources such as dump trucks,” she said.

The Deputy Minister also expressed optimism about expanding educational exchanges between the two countries. She pointed out that Russia has been a valuable partner in offering scholarships to Sierra Leonean students, especially in the fields of science, technology, and engineering, areas that are critical to Sierra Leone’s future development. She emphasized the need to further enhance educational ties, calling for increased opportunities for Sierra Leonean students to study in Russian universities and for Russian professionals to share their knowledge with Sierra Leoneans.

Mikhail Bogdanov, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing diplomatic exchanges between Russia and Sierra Leone. He acknowledged the important role of Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Russia, Mohamed Yongawo, in strengthening bilateral relations and noted that Ambassador Yongawo is highly regarded by his Russian counterparts. “Ambassador Yongawo is a respected diplomat who has made significant contributions to fostering stronger ties between our two countries. We look forward to building on his efforts to enhance cooperation in the years ahead,” Bogdanov remarked.

Bogdanov also reiterated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to reopening the Russian Embassy in Freetown, noting that this was a priority for the Russian government. He expressed his satisfaction with the growing level of cooperation between Russia and Sierra Leone, particularly in multilateral forums such as the Russia-Africa Partnership Summit.

The two diplomats discussed a wide range of issues, including regional security concerns, global stability, and strengthening political dialogue. They also emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in the areas of trade, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. The discussions were seen as a reaffirmation of the long-standing friendship between the two nations, with both sides expressing a commitment to deepening their partnership.

The Sierra Leonean delegation to the summit was led by Deputy Minister Alghali and included several key officials: Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo, NMA Board Chairman Mustapha Bamorie Turay, Director of Legal Affairs Mohamed Conteh, and Head of Chancery Ibrahim Saspo Sankoh. The delegation’s participation in the Russia-Africa Partnership Summit underscored Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to fostering stronger ties with Russia and other global partners.

The bilateral meeting between Madam Alghali and Mikhail Bogdanov marks a significant step in advancing Sierra Leone’s foreign policy priorities, particularly in strengthening relations with Russia, a country that has long played an important role in global politics and development. Both nations expressed optimism about the future of their partnership and the potential for further collaboration in key areas of mutual interest.