Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Dr Julius Maada Bio
By Mohamed Kelfala Fofanah
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio met with US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield recently to discuss the nation’s position on the UN Security Council. The meeting occurred at the Presidential Lodge in Hill Station, Freetown, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Madam Victoria M. Sulimani, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, gave an overview of the ministry’s previous correspondence with Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield before the talks started. She clarified that the main purpose of the ambassador’s trip to Freetown was to talk about Sierra Leone’s recent UNSC ascension and how the two governments could support one another’s positions.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield congratulated President Bio on Sierra Leone’s admission to the UNSC and gave special recognition to Dr. Michael Imran Kanu, the nation’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN in New York, for his outstanding work on the Council. She expressed her excitement to work with Sierra Leone on several mutual issues over the next two years and emphasized the importance of collaboration on African issues.
President Bio welcomed Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield on behalf of the government and people of Sierra Leone and conveyed the country’s eagerness to engage in the work of the Security Council. He emphasized Sierra Leone’s prior involvement in UN initiatives that resulted in a peaceful end to the civil war and expressed a wish to share those lessons with the rest of the world.
On June 6, 2023, Sierra Leone was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), demonstrating the effective pursuit of the nation’s foreign policy goals and President Bio’s vision for global affairs. The President emphasized the country’s commitment to promoting peace and security globally, especially in light of current global challenges.
During her visit to Freetown, First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio was met by Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield to discuss her advocacy work for women and girls. The First Lady’s work was praised by the Ambassador, who pointed out that it was in line with US government priorities for Africa, which include advancing democracy, empowering women and youth, and advancing regional peace and security.
During her visit to Freetown, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield is expected to meet with opposition leaders members of the international community and government officials. The discussions aim to strengthen collaboration between Sierra Leone and the United States on key global issues.
