Egypt and SL Strengthen Defense, Agriculture and Marine Cooperation

airo, Egypt – November 28, 2024 – A high-level Egyptian military delegation concluded a successful four-day visit to Sierra Leone, marking a significant step in advancing key bilateral agreements. Led by two Major Generals from the Egyptian Military High Command, the visit was facilitated by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Egypt, Sadiq Silla. The visit aimed to revive cooperation initiatives stalled due to the November 26, 2023, coup in Sierra Leone.

The visit was centered on the agreements made between Sierra Leone and Egypt in 2022, covering various sectors, including defense, security, communications, agriculture, and marine resources. The delegation’s visit helped reaffirm these commitments and chart a path forward for their implementation.

The delegation’s first engagement in Sierra Leone was a meeting with Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh on Monday, November 24th. Dr. Sengeh conveyed warm greetings from President Julius Maada Bio and committed the Sierra Leonean government to full cooperation in the implementation of the 2022 agreements. He emphasized that his office would coordinate all aspects of the partnership and expressed enthusiasm for the Egyptian delegation’s follow-up visit.

The delegation also met with the Ministry of Defense to review the military cooperation framework agreed upon in 2022. While specific details of this cooperation were not publicly disclosed, Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Sierra Leone in strengthening its defense capabilities.

In another significant meeting, the delegation visited the Managing Director of Sierra Fishing Company, Basim Mohamed, to discuss the security of vessels and facilities, along with the construction of a fish cage. It was announced that Egypt would provide 10 boats to Sierra Leone by the first quarter of 2025, as part of the ongoing collaboration.

The delegation also paid a courtesy call to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, where they were welcomed by Acting Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Alan Logan. The longstanding relationship between Sierra Leone and Egypt, which spans over 63 years, was highlighted during the meeting.

Throughout their visit, the delegation held discussions with various key officials, including the National Security Coordinator, the head of national intelligence, the Presidential Adviser on Special Projects, and Ministers of Trade and Industry, Fisheries, and Marine Resources.

The visit concluded with the signing of minutes at a dinner hosted in honor of the Egyptian delegation at Lagoonda, marking a milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and Egypt.

This successful visit represents a renewed commitment from both nations to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors. The agreements made during this visit are expected to bring significant advancements in areas crucial for Sierra Leone’s development and security. Further announcements regarding the specifics of these agreements are expected in the coming weeks.