Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has described the commissioning of the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot as defining milestones in Sierra Leone’s national transformation, praising President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for turning an ambitious vision into reality.
The commissioning ceremony, led by President Bio as part of the ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit 2026 in Lungi, on the 18 July 2026, brought together Heads of State, senior Government officials, M inisters, diplomats and delegates from across West Africa. The event highlighted ECOWAS’ commitment to regional integration, peace and security, disaster preparedness and sustainable development while reaffirming Sierra Leone’s growing influence in regional affairs.
Delivering the welcome address, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh said he was honoured to witness what he described as a historic moment that reflects President Bio’s enduring legacy and unwavering determination to transform Sierra Leone.
“I am proud to witness this momentous occasion to attest to the legacy of His Excellency President Bio and its powerful expression in a vision once considered too bold, too ambitious and too improbable to become reality,” he said.
According to the Vice President, the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre is more than a completed infrastructure project, describing it as “a living symbol of hope, imagination and national renewal” that demonstrates Sierra Leone’s remarkable transformation under President Bio’s leadership.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh reflected on Sierra Leone’s journey from the devastation of civil war to becoming a respected voice in continental and global affairs. He noted that the country now occupies influential positions, including membership of the United Nations Security Council, the African Union Peace and Security Council and currently holds the Chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Standing on the soil of Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, which he proudly identified as his ancestral home, the Vice President said the conference centre represents the determination of a nation that has risen from adversity to become a respected leader on the African continent.
“We are a small nation that was once ravaged by a decade of civil war, but today we are a mighty nation, a convener of conferences that shape the future of our region,” he declared.
He added that Sierra Leone is now successfully hosting regional and international meetings that will influence not only the lives of over eight million Sierra Leoneans but also contribute to shaping the future of approximately 1.5 billion Africans.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional integration extends beyond diplomacy, describing it as Africa’s determination to reclaim its rightful place in global decision-making.
“Our steadfast commitment to regional integration and African-led solutions is more than diplomacy; it is a reclamation of historical agency,” he stated. “By championing Africa’s demand for meaningful representation in the highest global decision-making bodies, President Bio has given renewed force to the aspirations of our founding fathers.”
Turning to the commissioning of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot, the Vice President recalled its historical significance, noting that the site once hosted the largest ECOMOG military contingent during Sierra Leone’s civil conflict.
He reminded guests that troops from Nigeria, Ghana and other ECOWAS member states fought alongside Sierra Leoneans to restore constitutional order, peace and national dignity in 1998.
“Today, on that same soil, President Bio is commissioning the ECOWAS Logistics Depot not as a relic of conflict, but as an instrument of readiness, solidarity and collective security,” he said.
The Vice President stressed that Sierra Leone has evolved from being a nation rescued by regional intervention into a trusted partner contributing to regional peace, humanitarian response and global peacekeeping efforts.
Describing the day’s events as evidence of Sierra Leone’s exceptional national journey, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said the conference centre would stand as one of the country’s most enduring landmarks on the global stage and a lasting legacy of President Bio’s administration.
He also expressed hope that the facility would inspire future generations, particularly children from rural communities.
“For the child born in a non-descript village in a sleepy chiefdom like Kaffu Bullom, this magnificent edifice should inspire them to dream of endless possibilities, innovation and excellence,” he said.
The Vice President emphasized that Sierra Leone’s achievements demonstrate the importance of visionary leadership and collective regional action in building prosperity across ECOWAS.
“Our story is one of exceptionalism born not of ease, but of endurance; not of privilege, but of perseverance,” he said. “Like Sierra Leone, our region must remain united in purpose, courageous in action and determined to transform our shared history into a future of peace, prosperity, dignity and opportunity.”
He concluded by officially welcoming regional leaders, delegates and guests to the commissioning ceremony of the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot, describing the occasion as another historic chapter in Sierra Leone’s growing leadership within West Africa and beyond.
