His Excellency Julius Maada Bio concluded a high-level virtual meeting of the G7+ Eminent Persons, urging intensified collective action to confront political and security challenges in fragile member states, particularly Guinea-Bissau and South Sudan. The meeting, convened by Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, aimed to strengthen cooperation, solidarity, and strategic engagement among G7+ countries and formalise bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and Sierra Leone.
President Bio acknowledged Timor-Leste’s leadership in hosting the G7+ Secretariat and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to the group’s core principles of peace, resilience, and sustainable development. He emphasised the importance of the G7+ as a platform for advocacy, peer learning, and cooperation among countries experiencing fragility and post-conflict recovery. Sierra Leone is ready to support mediation and reconciliation efforts within the framework.
President Bio described Guinea-Bissau as still in a fragile transitional phase, requiring ongoing regional and international engagement. He emphasised the importance of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its protocol on democracy and good governance, reminding participants that the protocol prohibits unconstitutional changes in government. The President emphasised ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore constitutional order and create the conditions required for stable, credible elections.
Turning to South Sudan, President Bio described the country as being at a critical point in its peace process. While acknowledging the Revitalised Peace Agreement as a guiding framework, he highlighted ongoing challenges in security sector reform, constitutional development, and election preparations. He advocated for ongoing dialogue, trust-building, and inclusive political processes to ensure long-term peace and stability in the country.
President Bio urged the G7+ membership to strengthen peer-to-peer engagement and solidarity, promote inclusive political dialogue, and advocate for ongoing international support tailored to each country’s unique needs. He proposed convening a high-level meeting of G7+ Eminent Persons to develop a strategic roadmap for coordinated engagement in fragile contexts. The goal is better to align regional, continental, and international efforts.
The President of Sierra Leone emphasised the need to strengthen institutions, promote accountable governance, and support community-based approaches to peacebuilding, citing their own experience with post-conflict recovery. He expressed Sierra Leone’s willingness to share expertise in mediation, reconciliation, and confidence-building initiatives for the G7+ membership
The meeting resulted in the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and Timor-Leste. Participants viewed this as a reaffirmation of South-South solidarity and a platform for deeper cooperation in governance reform, peacebuilding, and youth empowerment.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from G7+ members to strengthen solidarity, increase global advocacy, and ensure that fragile states receive the tailored support they require to achieve peace, stability, and sustainable development.
