Bio & Boakai romance for Development
Sierra Leone’s President Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio has extended thanks and appreciation to his counterpart, brother and friend from the Republic of Liberia, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai sr., who is currently on a working visit in Sierra Leone.
Addressing a news conference at State House, Presidential Spokesman, Hon. Alpha Kanu, informed journalists about the working visit of President Boakai Sr. on the invitation of his brother, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.
Digressing on the essence of the visit, Hon. Alpha Kanu maintained that the two countries will sign a communique stressing that both President Bio and President Boakai share similar democratic features, pointing that when President Bio took over the state of governance as a young man in the late nineties, he ensured the country was returned to civilian rule, and that paved the way for Sierra Leone’s Democracy. Hon. Kanu added that since then, Sierra Leone has enjoyed democracy till date. Referencing the same to President Boakai, Hon. Kanu stated that when President Boakai first contested the Presidential Election in 2017, despite being the loser, he congratulated the winner and called on Liberians to embrace peace and work for the development of the nation.
Hon Kanu added that Sierra and Liberia have a long standing relationship, as both countries share so many things in common. ‘‘Both countries have the same time zones, similar culture, tribes and many things in common. “The President of Liberia, started his early schooling in Sierra Leone, and so we consider this visit as a Homecoming one’’ Hon. Kanu stated.
Speaking on behalf of both Presidents, Her Excellency Madam Sara Beysolow Nyandi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Sierra Leone, Mrs. Francess Paigie Alghali, have this to say after signing the joint communique.
‘‘On the invitation of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, paid a working visit to the Republic of Sierra Leone from 18th – 21st November 2024.
The two Heads of State exchanged views on a wide range of issues of common interests, and identified opportunities to further their development and democratic aspirations within the context of deepening regional cooperation.
His Excellency, President Bio, congratulated His Excellency, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, on his election and the confidence that has been bestowed on him by the people of Liberia.
During the talks, which took place in an ambiance of trust, mutual understanding and brotherly atmosphere, the Heads of State reviewed the status of political, diplomatic, economic, social, cultural and security cooperation between their two countries, as well as the Mano River Union (MRU), and agreed on partnerships to advance transformative initiatives in diverse sectors, including food security that will create opportunities for economic growth and development in the two countries and region.
His Excellency, President Boakai, especially, applauded His Excellency, President Bio’s flagship programme “Feed Salone” and his dedication to revolutionize agriculture in Sierra Leone. His Excellency, President Bio commended President Boakai on his initiative to prioritize agriculture as a critical driver for food security, job creation and poverty reduction. In that vein, the two Heads of State underscored their dedication to unite the sub-region and the continent; and partner around a common goal to ameliorate the hunger situation in the region, and to create the necessary conditions to feed the people and create jobs through the utilization of the already fertile land transformative agricultural initiatives.
The two Heads of State discussed the democratic challenges in the MRU and ECOWAS region, and reaffirmed their commitment to support peaceful democratic transition of power in order to maintain peace and security in the region. Also discussed was cross-border cooperation to boost peaceful co-existence between border communities and cultural diversity, as well as economic activities to increase trade between Liberia and Sierra Leone.
At the continental and international levels, H.E. President Boakai congratulated H.E. President Bio on Sierra Leone’s leadership role in the UN Security Council and AU Committee of Ten (C10) to reform the UN Security Council. His Excellency, President Bio, applauded the decision of Liberia to present its candidature for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the period 2026-2027, noting that Liberia represents a respectable voice that would provide unique insights into peacebuilding and conflict resolution, as well as meaningfully contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. The Heads of State also expressed their continued support to the principles of the African Union and United Nations, particularly on peace, security and development.
His Excellency, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency, President Maada Bio, for the warm and fraternal welcome and the cordiality extended to him and his delegation during the working visit to Sierra Leone.’’