By Abdulai Braima
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Hon. Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, today held a high-level meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters in Marlborough House, London.
The meeting, a follow-up to a similar engagement between His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and Secretary-General Botchwey in May this year, marked a further step in advancing Commonwealth collaboration and enhancing Sierra Leone’s development agenda.
In her opening remarks, Secretary-General Botchwey warmly welcomed the Vice President and congratulated President Bio on assuming the Chairmanship of ECOWAS. She commended Sierra Leone’s growing leadership role in regional affairs:
“Sierra Leone is demonstrating real leadership at a critical time for the region,” said Secretary-General Botchwey. “The Commonwealth remains committed to walking alongside your country as it continues its journey of peace, democracy, and sustainable development.”
Vice President Jalloh expressed sincere appreciation for the Commonwealth’s longstanding support, particularly in areas such as scholarships and institutional development.
“We are grateful for the enduring support of the Commonwealth, especially in key areas like education and capacity building,” said Vice President Jalloh. “As we enter the final months of our UN Security Council term, we remain focused on contributing meaningfully to global peace and security while driving national transformation under President Bio’s Big Five agenda.”
The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including the Vice President’s proposal to establish a *Commonwealth Ambassadors and High Commissioners Group*: a diplomatic coordination platform aimed at strengthening cohesion and strategic alignment among member states.
Secretary-General Botchwey welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s readiness to support justice sector reforms in Sierra Leone through legal training, capacity building, and exchange programs. She encouraged the Ministry of Justice to submit formal requests through official Commonwealth channels and highlighted additional opportunities available within the Commonwealth framework that Sierra Leone could leverage.
The Vice President was accompanied by H.E. Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the UK; Mrs. Yvonne King Odigboh, Deputy High Commissioner;
Mr. Mohamed Kapu Lungay and Ms. Mbalia Sankoh, officials from the High Commission
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen cooperation in justice, education, trade, and diplomacy, grounded in the Commonwealth’s shared values of democracy, development, and mutual respect.
