By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone has once again taken centre stage in global diplomacy as President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s principled leadership on peace and security continues to earn widespread international recognition. Presiding over the United Nations Security Council, President Bio hailed the adoption of Resolution 2803 as a pivotal step toward ending the Gaza conflict and laying the foundation for long-term peace. Against that backdrop, Sierra Leone received prominent acknowledgment from President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, following the United Nations Security Council’s historic vote endorsing a new global Board of Peace, an initiative he will chair.
Adopted on Monday 17th November 2025 with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions from China and Russia, Resolution 2803 authorizes an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza and establishes a transitional Board of Peace. The plan supports demilitarization, reconstruction and a conditional path to Palestinian statehood, excluding Hamas, while expressly rejecting forced displacement and any long-term Israeli reoccupation.
Speaking at UN Headquarters shortly after the vote, President Bio said Sierra Leone “fully supports” the U.S.-drafted resolution, describing it as “the best path to end the violence and renew hope for a lasting peace.” He stressed that the impartial international force and apolitical governance board will be essential in “stabilizing Gaza, protecting civilians and creating an environment in which meaningful peace can take root.”
President Bio also commended President Donald J. Trump for “spearheading this bold peace initiative,” while praising Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye for their sustained mediation efforts that secured the ceasefire and recent hostage releases. “Without the tireless efforts by the mediators, together with our collective advocacy in the Security Council, the hard-won ceasefire would not have been possible,” he said.
He urged all Member States to “stand on the side of principles with pragmatism, for peace, security and human dignity for the people of Gaza.”
It must be reiterated that this week, Sierra Leone also received prominent acknowledgment from President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, following the Security Council’s historic vote endorsing a new global Board of Peace, an initiative he will chair.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform on Monday 17 November 2025, President Trump hailed the endorsement as “one of the biggest approvals in the history of the United Nations.” He expressed gratitude to all Security Council members, including China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, South Korea, Pakistan, Panama, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia, for their decisive support.
He further extended appreciation to countries outside the Council that backed the initiative, including Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Türkiye and Jordan.
Sierra Leone’s inclusion among nations commended by the U.S. President underscores the country’s rising global stature under the leadership of President Bio. As an elected member of the Security Council, Sierra Leone has consistently demonstrated thoughtful, constructive and values-driven engagement on matters of peace, justice and multilateral cooperation.
President Trump’s message singled out Sierra Leone as one of the “distinguished countries” that played a critical role in securing the historic approval. The forthcoming Board of Peace is expected to bring together influential world leaders with a mandate to strengthen global stability and promote peaceful solutions; an agenda strongly aligned with President Bio’s foreign policy vision.
The international spotlight comes just as President Bio delivered one of the most powerful speeches of his presidency at the Security Council during a high-level debate on “Threats to International Peace and Security: Conflict-Related Food Insecurity.”
Addressing the Council for the second time in two years, he declared starvation a “crime” under international law, warning that hunger is increasingly weaponized in conflicts, from Gaza and Sudan to Ukraine, Haiti and the Sahel.
“Starvation is not collateral damage; it is a crime,” President Bio emphasized.
“No child should be starved into submission; no harvest held hostage; no community pushed to violence by hunger.”
He called for stronger enforcement mechanisms, protection of food systems, predictable humanitarian access and accountability for starvation-related war crimes.
President Bio highlighted Sierra Leone’s flagship Feed Salone Initiative as a model for linking food security with peacebuilding, economic resilience and community stability. The initiative’s four pillars, production, resilience, markets and value chains and human capital, are designed to reduce import dependency, strengthen productivity, empower women and youth and promote climate-smart agriculture.
As Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, he reaffirmed Africa’s stance as a solutions-driven continent.
“Africa is not here to be pitied for its challenges but to be partnered for its solutions,” he said.
The Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2803, its endorsement of President Trump’s proposed Board of Peace and President Bio’s influential speeches collectively mark a defining diplomatic moment for Sierra Leone. The convergence highlights the nation’s rising moral voice and strategic relevance in shaping global peace and security.
As President Trump hinted at “many more exciting announcements” regarding the Board of Peace, Sierra Leone stands firmly positioned as a proactive partner bridging global divides and championing peace, justice and human dignity.
Under President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone continues its ascent from a post-conflict nation to an international beacon of principled leadership.
