Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Russia, H.E. Mohamed Yongawo, recently paid a courtesy visit to Her Excellency Madam Tatyana Dovgalenko, the newly appointed Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This meeting marks a significant step in enhancing the diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and the Russian Federation.
During the visit, Ambassador Yongawo extended his congratulations to Madam Dovgalenko on her recent appointment and praised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for establishing this unique department dedicated to fostering partnerships with African nations. He expressed optimism that this new structure would facilitate stronger cooperation between Russia and African countries, particularly Sierra Leone, thereby promoting mutual benefits and reinforcing bilateral relations.
Ambassador Yongawo took the opportunity to discuss various sectors where collaboration could be deepened, including Health, Trade and Investment, Education, Agriculture—specifically the Feed Salone initiative—and Energy. He acknowledged the ongoing support from the Russian Federation in providing training opportunities for Sierra Leonean students across diverse fields, emphasizing the importance of educational exchange in strengthening ties between the two nations.
In a bid to further enhance economic relations, Ambassador Yongawo and Madam Dovgalenko explored the potential for promoting Russian investment in Sierra Leone. They discussed organizing a Trade and Investment Mission in Freetown, which would serve as a platform for both Sierra Leonean and Russian businesses to engage and explore opportunities within the industrial sector.
The Sierra Leonean diplomat underscored the necessity of learning from existing partnerships to improve decision-making processes at the highest levels and ensure effective project implementation at the country level. He stressed the importance of utilizing resources efficiently and honoring the various Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that have been signed and will be signed in the future.
In response, Madam Dovgalenko expressed gratitude to Ambassador Yongawo and his team for their visit, highlighting that the establishment of her department signifies the Russian government’s commitment to strengthening relations with Africa. She emphasized the department’s role in collaborating with the African Union, regional economic communities, and individual member states to ensure the effective execution of agreements.
The meeting between these esteemed diplomats also covered discussions on multilateral, bilateral, and sub-regional organizational matters, further highlighting the commitment of both nations to work together for mutual development. Ambassador Yongawo was accompanied by Mr. Ibrahim Saspo Sankoh, Head of Chancery, and Ms. Rosetta M. Conteh, Second Secretary, during this significant diplomatic engagement.
