Freetown, Sierra Leone – The United States Embassy in Sierra Leone announced on July 22, 2026, the arrival of Meghan Moore as the mission’s new Chargé d’Affaires, the senior U.S. diplomat in the country in the absence of a confirmed ambassador.
Moore, a career Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State since 2003, assumes the top diplomatic post in Freetown, succeeding the previous Chargé d’Affaires. She most recently served as Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, where she arrived in June 2024.
Her extensive overseas experience includes postings in Liberia, Nigeria, Hungary, Pakistan, Colombia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In Washington, D.C., she previously held senior roles such as Senior Congressional Advisor in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs and Deputy Director for Regional Affairs in the Bureau of African Affairs.
Moore also served as a legislative Pearson Fellow in the office of Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and as an academic fellow at Central European University.
Moore holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California and an M.A. in African Area Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. A proud Alaskan, she worked at a locally owned commercial bank in Anchorage before joining the State Department. She speaks French, Spanish, and some Hungarian, and is accompanied by her middle school-aged son.
Her deep expertise on African affairs aligns well with U.S. priorities in Sierra Leone, including strengthening democratic institutions, promoting economic development, advancing regional security, and addressing challenges such as climate resilience and public health following the country’s history with Ebola and ongoing efforts in post-conflict recovery.
In its announcement on Facebook, the Embassy stated that Moore “looks forward to engaging with Sierra Leoneans, experiencing the country’s rich culture, and strengthening bilateral ties.”
The appointment comes amid continued U.S.-Sierra Leone cooperation, which celebrated 65 years of diplomatic relations. Relations focus on trade, investment (particularly in mining and agriculture), governance, and people-to-people exchanges through programs like the Peace Corps and educational initiatives.
Moore’s leadership is expected to further bolster these partnerships as Sierra Leone continues its development trajectory. The Embassy noted that a new U.S. Ambassador may be welcomed in the coming months.
This transition underscores the United States’ commitment to sustained diplomatic engagement in West Africa.
