SL and Russia Deepen Parliamentary Diplomacy and Bilateral Ties
Oroviy Val, Moscow – 23 June 2025 – In a significant diplomatic engagement, Sierra Leone’s Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, met with Babakov Alexander Mikhailovich, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two nations.
Held against the backdrop of deepening Sierra Leone–Russia relations, the high-level meeting focused on enhancing legislative collaboration, diplomatic exchange, and mutual support across strategic areas including economic development, security, and global governance.
Headline Options:
- Sierra Leone, Russia Forge Stronger Parliamentary Ties
- Hon. Nyuma Engages Russian State Duma in Deepening Bilateral Relations
- Sierra Leone and Russia Advance Legislative Diplomacy
- Sierra Leone’s Parliamentary Leader Meets Russian Lawmakers in Moscow
- Roadmap for Sierra Leone–Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Unveiled
Parliamentary Diplomacy as a Strategic Vehicle
The meeting highlighted the strategic importance of parliamentary diplomacy as a tool to support broader government-to-government relations. Discussions focused on establishing formal mechanisms for regular communication and cooperation between the Parliaments of Sierra Leone and Russia.
Key areas explored included:
- Exchange of best practices in legislative governance
- Strengthening policymaking frameworks
- Enhancing democratic oversight through parliamentary capacity building
Delivering remarks on the theme “Shaping a Just and Sustainable World Order by Strengthening the Shared Values of the World Majority Countries,” Hon. Nyuma emphasized that effective parliamentary collaboration can drive stronger bilateral and multilateral ties.
“Sierra Leone and Russia have long enjoyed cordial relations grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace, stability, and development. Parliamentary diplomacy presents a unique opportunity to align our legislative actions with broader national and global interests,” Hon. Nyuma stated.
Economic and Strategic Cooperation
The two parties discussed opportunities to expand economic cooperation, particularly in:
- Education and capacity building
- Energy and health infrastructure
- Agriculture, mining, and ICT sectors
Lawmakers agreed on the importance of legislative support for policies that promote foreign direct investment (FDI), enabling legal frameworks, and cross-border business ventures. The meeting emphasized that parliaments have a critical role in shaping laws that attract investment and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
Joint Response to Global Challenges
In the context of ongoing global and regional crises, Hon. Nyuma and Mr. Babakov discussed:
- The role of Parliaments in peace-building and conflict resolution
- Promotion of democratic governance and human rights
- Collaborative legislative action on climate change, public health, and food security
The leaders stressed the need for joint engagement in multilateral forums, such as the United Nations, where legislative cooperation can influence sustainable, people-centered solutions.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
The engagement concluded with the following agreements:
- Development of a roadmap for sustained inter-parliamentary dialogue
- Identification of legislative priority areas for collaboration
- Drafting and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize cooperation
- Formation of a Joint Working Group to oversee implementation
- Follow-up meetings to assess progress and refine strategies
These outcomes reflect a shared vision to elevate parliamentary diplomacy into a central pillar of Sierra Leone–Russia relations.
Further Diplomatic Engagements
While in Moscow, Hon. Nyuma also held a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Mr. Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Africa and the Middle East. He conveyed warm greetings from President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone and expressed gratitude for Russia’s long-standing support.
Hon. Nyuma commended Russia for its assistance in:
- Human capital development, particularly in education
- Donation of 200 dump trucks
- COVID-19 vaccine support during the pandemic
In response, Deputy Minister Bogdanov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to reopen its Embassy in Freetown, a promise made by President Vladimir Putin. The meeting also addressed shared concerns on multilateral diplomacy, peacebuilding, and international cooperation.
Sierra Leone’s Participation in SPIEF 2025
These engagements took place alongside Sierra Leone’s participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025. The Sierra Leone delegation included:
- H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo
- Hon. Julius Mattai, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources
- Alhaji Hadji Dabo, Director-General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA)
- Other senior government officials and technical advisors
Their presence at SPIEF signals Sierra Leone’s growing international engagement and commitment to attracting strategic investment while fostering high-level diplomatic relationships.
