His Excellency Alhaji Momodu Koroma and the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon ThomasHis Excellency Alhaji Momodu Koroma, the Sierra Leone Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, provided an insightful update to the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, regarding the robust bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Morocco.
This meeting took place during a courtesy visit by the Speaker and his delegation to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Rabat, coinciding with their participation in a four-day high-level meeting of Speakers of Parliament from Atlantic African States. The delegation arrived in Morocco on Wednesday, 5th February 2025, for the event, which aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration among the participating nations.
Ambassador Koroma emphasized the fruitful nature of the diplomatic ties, highlighting the numerous opportunities that exist for both countries to explore. He expressed optimism about the potential for greater collaboration, noting that Morocco has consistently gone above and beyond the typical diplomatic engagements to strengthen its relationship with Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Koroma remarked on the Moroccan government’s commitment to nurturing these ties, stating that they have demonstrated a genuine interest in the welfare of Sierra Leone. He pointed out that Morocco has established a diplomatic mission in Sierra Leone and has plans to expand its operations in Freetown, a move that underscores the depth of their commitment. During the discussion, Ambassador Koroma brought attention to the fact that Sierra Leone has not fully capitalized on the vast opportunities provided by Morocco. One of the key areas he highlighted was the annual allocation of one hundred and five (105) scholarships for Sierra Leonean students by the Moroccan government. However, he noted that a significant barrier to utilizing these scholarships is the language issue, as many Sierra Leoneans are not proficient in French, which is essential for accessing these educational opportunities.
To address this challenge, Ambassador Koroma revealed that an agreement has been reached with the Moroccan government to provide six months of French language training for Sierra Leoneans on a pro bono basis. He urged Speaker Thomas to engage relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure that Sierra Leoneans can take full advantage of the scholarships available to them. In addition to educational opportunities, Ambassador Koroma called for a special initiative to encourage Moroccan investment in Sierra Leone, specifically in the Fish Harbour sector.
He emphasized that such investments could significantly enhance the socio-economic landscape of Sierra Leone, creating jobs and boosting local economies. Furthermore, Ambassador Koroma shared that the Embassy is planning to engage with private farmers in Morocco to explore investment opportunities aligned with President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship program in agriculture. He assured Speaker Thomas that there are existing agreements with the Moroccan government in various sectors, including fisheries, education, and tourism, and that Morocco is eager to honor these commitments.
The updates provided by Ambassador Koroma resonated with Speaker Thomas, who expressed appreciation for the work being done by the Sierra Leone Embassy in Morocco. He acknowledged the importance of the relationship and conveyed the satisfaction of President Julius Maada Bio’s government with the Embassy’s efforts. In response to the ambassador’s insights, Speaker Thomas committed to taking action upon his return to Sierra Leone. He promised to convene a meeting with the relevant MDAs to ensure that the country fully benefits from the scholarships and other opportunities discussed.
The Speaker recognized the language barrier as a significant hurdle and expressed gratitude to the Moroccan government for offering French language training, which he believes is a crucial step toward overcoming this obstacle. Moreover, Speaker Thomas urged Ambassador Koroma to document all agreements and opportunities presented during their discussion, emphasizing the need for the Sierra Leone government to act decisively to seize these prospects. He remarked, “These are good offers, so why can’t we pick them up? It might be on the tables of some civil servants being ignored, but we will look at them. I will inform the President of all we discussed.” The meeting between Ambassador Momodu Koroma and Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas marks an important step in strengthening the diplomatic relationship between Sierra Leone and Morocco. With mutual interests in education, investment, and socio-economic development, both nations stand to benefit significantly from enhanced collaboration and proactive engagement in the coming years.
