President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus has praised Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio for his leadership at the United Nations Security Council and as Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority, while promising to strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries. President Christodoulides described the visit, which was the first official trip to Cyprus by a sitting Sierra Leonean head of state, as a watershed moment, emphasising the two countries’ shared history as former British colonies and the importance of strengthening their relationship.
During official talks, the two leaders agreed that, while cooperation has been strong thus far, the visit opens up new opportunities for expanded collaboration across a number of strategic sectors. Agriculture, fisheries, education, maritime affairs, cybersecurity, and private sector investment were identified by President Christodoulides as priority areas for strengthening bilateral relations. He also briefed President Bio on Cyprus’s upcoming six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, promising to use that position to strengthen ties not only between the EU and Sierra Leone, but also between the EU and ECOWAS.
He reaffirmed Cyprus’s willingness to collaborate closely with ECOWAS to address regional challenges.
Responding to his host, President Bio expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation, describing the visit as both strategic and symbolic. He thanked President Christodoulides for the scholarships offered to Sierra Leonean students in 2022 and expressed a strong desire to expand educational cooperation. President Bio also outlined his national transformation agenda, which is centred on what he refers to as the “Big Five Game Changers,” and highlighted sectors that he believes are particularly ripe for strategic partnerships with international partners such as Cyprus.
As part of the visit, Sierra Leone and Cyprus signed three memoranda of understanding, formalising their intent to collaborate. Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Dr Maria Panayiotou, Cyprus’ Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, signed the agreements on behalf of their respective governments.
Following the formal discussions and signing ceremony, President Bio paid a visit to the Municipality of Nicosia, where he was greeted warmly by Mayor Charalambos Prountzos. He also toured the Cypriot House of Representatives and spoke with its President, Ms Annita Demetriou. Observers noted the visit’s significant strategic importance as Cyprus prepares to take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2026, a role leaders said will be used to strengthen ties and cooperation between the EU, Sierra Leone, and the ECOWAS region.
