Algeria / Cooperation: The President of Sierra Leone on a three-day visit to Algiers

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received his Sierra Leonean counterpart, President Julius Maada Bio, at the Presidential Palace yesterday. President Bio has been on a three-day visit to Algeria since Tuesday. The two leaders engaged in talks on issues of common interest to both countries.

Upon his arrival at the Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, the Sierra Leonean Head of State was welcomed by Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui.

Accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, President Bio visited the Martyr’s Sanctuary in Algiers, where he paid homage to the martyrs of the Algerian War of Independence.

The Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister, Moussa Timote Katba, part of President Bio’s delegation, met with his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf.

The two diplomats had previously met in December during the High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa held in Oran.

During that meeting, Sierra Leonean, Nigerian, and Tunisian diplomats, including Minister Katba, commended Algeria’s consistent commitment to its African identity.

They particularly acknowledged Algeria’s efforts and initiatives, notably the Oran process, in advocating for Africa’s causes and aspirations on the international stage.

It’s worth noting that both Algeria and Sierra Leone are non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, alongside South Korea, Guyana, and Slovenia.

In June last year, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Algeria secured overwhelming support with 95% of the votes from 184 countries for its seat on the Security Council.

President Tebboune has reiterated Algeria’s commitment to representing Africa’s voice in the UN Security Council and working towards global peace and security during his tenure.

Sierra Leone, a West African state and a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has been engaged in negotiations with Niger for a peaceful return to constitutional order following the military coup in July last year.

Algeria successfully mediated and proposed a crisis resolution plan involving all parties in Niger, preventing potential military interventions by regional organizations.

This visit comes shortly after the visit to Algiers by Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, Yaou Bakary Sangaré, who discussed the evolving crisis in Niger with his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf.

Samir Touati