By Melvin Tejan Mansaray, Freetown Sierra Leone
One of the oldest-serving and most ranking Lawmakers in the Sierra Leone Parliament, and former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, the Right Honourable Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis has welcomed delegates and dignitaries of the ECOWAS Family to his country, Sierra Leone.
In an official message,
he welcomed the ECOWAS Family and thanked President Julius Maada Bio, the current Chairman of the Authority of Heads for hosting the ECOWAS family,
Hon. Dr. Tunis reflected on the enduring values of dialogue, cooperation, and regional integration while extending his best wishes to President Bio, ECOWAS leaders, and delegates gathered for the important ECOWAS Mid-Year Statutory Meetings 2026 that is underway from the 12- 19 July, 2026 in Freetown and Lungi, Sierra Leone.
Hon. Dr. Tunis said:
“As Sierra Leone welcomes the ECOWAS family this week, I am reminded that the true strength of our Community has always been its people and our shared commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and regional integration.”
He reflected on his service to ECOWAS by noting that:
“Having had the privilege of serving the ECOWAS Parliament, it is especially gratifying to see Sierra Leone once again at the heart of our shared regional vision.
Hosting this important Summit reflects our country’s enduring commitment to the ideals upon which ECOWAS was founded, peace, democratic governance, regional solidarity, and sustainable development.”
He extended his best wishes to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS Member States, the leadership of the ECOWAS Institutions, and all delegates for a successful and productive Summit.
“May these deliberations further strengthen peace, unity, democratic governance, and shared prosperity across West Africa,” he concluded.
According to the Government of Sierra Leone officials, hosting the event is a “defining moment for
West African unity.”
The ECOWAS Mid-Year Statutory Meetings bring together Heads of State and Government, Ministers, senior officials and regional institutions to advance the Community’s shared priorities—peace and security, democratic governance, economic integration, trade, infrastructure and sustainable development.
Hosted in Sierra Leone, the meetings are to culminate in the 69th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, where leaders will take decisions that shape the future of West Africa.
Sierra Leone, a small (approximately 72,180 square kilometers or 27,869 sq miles) West African nation with an estimated population of between eight to nine million people is bordered by Guinea and Liberia.
The country is known for its white-sand beaches, lush rainforests, and rich natural resources and celebrated for its deep cultural diversity and religious tolerance.