To enhance understanding of the African Union’s operations and the pressing issues facing the continent, the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. recently facilitated a simulation exercise for students from Georgia Southern University. This initiative comes in preparation for the 23rd Annual International Model African Union Conference, which will be held at Howard University in Washington, D.C., bringing together students from various universities across the United States and Canada.
On February 22, 2025, the Embassy welcomed the Georgia Southern University delegation, which includes students and faculty advisors, to engage in a comprehensive briefing aimed at equipping them with the necessary insights about Sierra Leone’s position and policies as they represent the nation at the upcoming conference. Charge d’Affaires Sheku Mesali expressed gratitude to the students for their commitment to representing Sierra Leone, emphasizing the importance of their role in fostering awareness and understanding of African issues.
During the briefing, Cultural Attaché Mr. Fofana provided an in-depth overview of Sierra Leone’s historical ties with the United States, tracing back to the Atlantic Slave Trade and the subsequent British colonial administration. He highlighted the significant events that have shaped the nation, including the devastating civil war and the crucial role played by international peacekeeping forces in restoring stability.
Mr Fofana also discussed the 2018 elections that brought President Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio to power, outlining his New Direction agenda focused on human capital development. In his presentation, Mr Fofana elaborated on the government’s Five Game Changer agenda initiated in 2023, which aims to drive transformative changes within Sierra Leone. He emphasized the importance of these initiatives in addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by the country and in fostering sustainable development.
The briefing also covered the workings of the African Union’s Executive Council, which comprises the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments. Mr. Fofana explained that this council is responsible for receiving reports on significant management issues and resolutions. He elaborated on the Committee on Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights, underscoring the necessity of promoting accountable governance, human rights, and gender equality as essential components for achieving peace and stability across the continent.
Moreover, Mr. Fofana discussed the Committee on Economic Matters, emphasizing the need for Africa to leverage its economic power in the global marketplace and to strengthen its role in international trade negotiations. He highlighted the importance of the Committee on Peace and Security, focusing on the operationalization of the African Standby Force and the protocols for post-conflict resolution, which include disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration efforts aimed at preventing terrorism and promoting security sector reforms.
In addressing the Committee on Social Matters, Mr. Fofana encouraged the Georgia Southern University students to embrace Pan-Africanism, which entails promoting a shared history, destiny, and heritage among African nations. He stressed the vital role of the diaspora in achieving the goals outlined in Agenda 2063, which defines the aspirations and policies necessary for the continent’s development. The session concluded with Mr. Fofana reiterating that the Assembly of Heads of States and Government serves as a platform for debate and the adoption of resolutions that guide the continent’s future.
Following the presentation, a question-and-answer session allowed the students to engage with the Embassy staff on topics such as Sierra Leone’s historical context, gun control measures, and the participation of the diaspora in national development. The delegation from Georgia Southern University was accompanied by Akiv Dawson, Director of the Center for Africana Studies, and Dr. Dina Walker-Devose, Assistant Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. This initiative by the Sierra Leone Embassy not only prepares the students for their representation at the Model African Union Conference but also fosters a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges facing Sierra Leone and the broader African continent.
