State House, Freetown – President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone recently welcomed Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. for a working visit aimed at enhancing bilateral and regional cooperation. During the meeting, President Bio expressed his congratulations to President Boakai on his election victory and highlighted the cultural and historical ties between the two countries as a foundation for potential economic collaboration.
President Bio commended Liberia's focus on agriculture as a tool for achieving food security and reducing poverty, aligning it with Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone Initiative which emphasizes sustainable farming practices. He stated, “As neighbors with open borders, Sierra Leone and Liberia have a unique opportunity to lead in strengthening sub-regional cooperation, particularly in border security.” He also acknowledged Liberia's support during Sierra Leone’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
To foster closer relations, President Bio proposed inter-ministerial exchanges to facilitate knowledge sharing. In response, President Boakai expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended to him and praised the development efforts of President Bio’s administration. “I chose to travel by road to witness firsthand the remarkable development strides of your administration,” remarked President Boakai.
The two leaders issued a joint communiqué reaffirming their commitment to strengthen sub-regional unity and tackle issues like hunger and unemployment through innovative agricultural initiatives. They emphasized supporting peaceful democratic transitions within the Mano River Union (MRU) and ECOWAS regions.
Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madame Sara Beysolow Nyanti, highlighted the shared vision between their governments: “Our governments are united in prioritizing agriculture and trade as key drivers of development.” Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Francess Peagie Alghali, stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue: “Through strengthened bilateral relations, we are setting the way for a peaceful and prosperous future for our people.”
This meeting signifies an important step towards regional unity underlining MRU's role in promoting sustainable development in West Africa.
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