Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Belgium, H.E. Philip Bob Jusu, formally assumed the Coordinatorship of the West Africa Group of Ambassadors (WAGA) and presided over his first meeting as coordinator on Tuesday, 1 September, in Brussels.
Ambassador Jusu said the position is important and more than traditional bilateral representation.
“Coordinators must balance the interests of their own countries while promoting and protecting the shared narrative, values and aspirations of West Africa as a whole,” he said.
Looking ahead, he said he hopes to foster closer and more frequent engagement among member states and stressed that he will heavily rely on the experience, counsel and cooperation of his colleagues to inform the work of the group. Ambassador Jusu paid tribute to his predecessor, Ambassador Elhadji Traoré of Mali, for his steady stewardship and for ensuring an orderly transition.
In turn, fellow ambassadors expressed their appreciation for Ambassador Traoré’s contribution and extended their support and best wishes to Ambassador Jusu as he begins his term. The meeting was a formal leadership handover in WAGA, giving a collaborative tone to the coordinator’s upcoming agenda in Brussels.
