President Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), who is in Sierra Leone for a working visit.
Mr. Simão congratulated President Bio on his election as Chairman of ECOWAS and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting his tenure, despite ongoing regional challenges.
“Mr. President, thank you for welcoming us. I am writing to express my heartfelt congratulations on your election as Chairman of ECOWAS. Your leadership comes at a critical juncture, as the region faces numerous complex challenges. Mr. Simão expressed confidence in the candidate’s experience and commitment to the task at hand. “You have our full support. The UN is ready to collaborate with you throughout your tenure.”
Mr. Simão briefed President Bio on key developments in the ECOWAS region, including upcoming elections and security concerns like terrorism and extremism. He praised Sierra Leone’s leadership at the United Nations Security Council, particularly President Bio’s advocacy for the Common African Position on UNSC reform.
“We have worked constructively with state actors throughout the region. Many have pledged to hold peaceful and transparent elections. However, the broader challenge remains: how do we confront the rising threat of terrorism while ensuring long-term peace? Mr. Simão emphasized the importance of effective leadership in this regard.
President Bio thanked Mr. Simão for his visit and briefing on regional affairs. He expressed his willingness to work closely with the United Nations and other international partners to strengthen West Africa’s peace, security, and democratic governance.
“Thank you for your kind words and congratulations,” President Bio responded. “I look forward to deepening our coordination and learning from your extensive experience, particularly in electoral observation and regional peacebuilding.”
President Bio also reiterated his commitment to collaborating with other ECOWAS heads of state to address the region’s major challenges.
“We must adopt a multifaceted approach to security, including diplomacy, development, and strong regional solidarity. It is in our collective interest to address regional security challenges,” he said.
President Bio concluded by thanking the UN for its unwavering support and reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to cooperation for regional peace and stability.
