In a historic diplomatic development, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Kabba, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, met in Morocco to initiate the implementation of a series of impactful agreements spanning Agriculture, Energy, Education, and Health.
The highlight of this momentous meeting was the announcement that Morocco is set to open its embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, by the end of September 2023. This move marks a significant milestone in the strengthening of ties between the two nations.
As part of the agreements, a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of Morocco is scheduled to visit Sierra Leone at the end of the month to kickstart the implementation of agricultural initiatives. Sierra Leone’s government has pledged to provide land for a pilot State Farm, underscoring their commitment to fostering agricultural cooperation.
During his visit to Rabat, Minister Kabba expressed Sierra Leone’s unwavering support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, positioning it as a pivotal framework for resolving the Western Sahara dispute.
Minister Kabba expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Morocco for its support in securing Sierra Leone’s non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. He emphasized that under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and President Julius Maada Bio, the relations between the two nations have flourished across multiple domains.
The discussions between Minister Kabba and Minister Bourita were conducted in the presence of Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Rabat, Atomano Dinkie, and Sierra Leone’s Consul General in Dakhla, Zeinab Candy.
This recent development aligns with Sierra Leone’s consistent support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, as demonstrated at the United Nations in 2021. Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UN, Mangay Sulimani, reiterated the nation’s backing for Morocco’s autonomy initiative, recognizing its potential to facilitate a pragmatic and mutually acceptable resolution to the Sahara issue.
In a further display of solidarity, Sierra Leone established a consulate in Dakhla in August 2021. Both nations have been engaged in comprehensive discussions, covering diverse aspects of bilateral cooperation, including agriculture, trade, and industry.
Additionally, Sierra Leone expressed its support for the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project, which promises to provide energy to millions along Africa’s western coast.
This momentous occasion witnessed the signing of a comprehensive roadmap outlining the framework for multi-sectoral cooperation between Morocco and Sierra Leone. The roadmap encompasses critical areas such as education and training, technical cooperation, economic promotion and investments, security, and reciprocal visits, reinforcing the shared commitment to enhance bilateral relations, as announced by Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
