By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a strategic move aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties, Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, embarked on a series of high-level meetings with Senegal’s leadership, commencing with a significant encounter with the newly elected President, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar.
On Friday, April 19, 2024, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh met with Senegal’s newly elected President, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye. During the meeting, the Vice President delivered a special message from His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, extending warm congratulations to President Faye and expressing Sierra Leone’s unwavering commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Discussions focused on consolidating existing cooperation and exploring new avenues for collaboration, particularly in harnessing natural resources for mutual benefit.
The Senegalese President reciprocated the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of enhancing trade and technical cooperation between the two nations. President Faye welcomed Vice President Jalloh’s message of solidarity and underscored the need for continued collaboration in various sectors beneficial to both countries.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, representing His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, conveyed a special message to President Diakhar, congratulating him on his recent election victory and extending best wishes for his tenure. The meeting emphasized the shared commitment to deepening the historical bond between the two sister countries.
Following his audience with President Diakhar, Vice President Jalloh on Monday, April 22, 2024, engaged in a working session alongside Senegal’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko. The discussions, held at the Vice President’s office, revolved around bolstering cooperation across various sectors including trade, air transport, cultural exchange and technical expertise.
Expressing admiration for Prime Minister Sonko’s insightful grasp of the intricate bilateral relationship, Vice President Jalloh commended his counterpart’s dedication to nurturing a robust partnership. Their deliberations underscored the urgency of operationalizing the Sierra Leone – Senegal Commission, envisioned as a pivotal mechanism to propel the partnership forward and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Both leaders affirmed the imperative of swift action in activating the Commission, signalling a significant stride towards fortifying the bond between Sierra Leone and Senegal. The establishment of the Commission is poised to serve as a conduit for realizing novel perspectives and shared objectives, fostering mutual growth and harnessing the untapped potential within their bilateral relationship.
It could be recalled that the strategic partnership between Sierra Leone and Senegal received a significant boost on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, with the signing of a Joint Economic Cooperation Entity Agreement by the respective Foreign Ministers. The agreement paves the way for the establishment of a Senegalese-Sierra Leonean Joint Council, focusing on promoting trade and economic cooperation in key sectors such as mineral resources, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, banking, science, technology and tourism.
The series of high-level meetings and agreements underscore the commitment of both nations to fostering a robust and mutually beneficial partnership, poised to drive economic growth and development across the region.
