During a ceremony marking the eightieth anniversary of the United Nations, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone powerfully reiterated the urgent need for Africa to be granted a permanent voice within the United Nations Security Council. Speaking at the President Julius Maada Bio Parade Grounds in Wilberforce, Freetown, he positioned this reform as essential for global equity and effective conflict resolution. The event, a collaborative effort between the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations Country Team, featured a symbolic flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony, serving as a poignant backdrop for his message on international solidarity and shared destiny.
President Bio, who currently serves as the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority and Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten on UN Security Council Reform, emphasized that stronger institutional collaboration between the UN, the African Union, and ECOWAS is indispensable for advancing peace and security across the continent. “When the United Nations and ECOWAS work hand in hand, the cause of peace in West Africa advances, and Sierra Leone stands ready to lead, to listen and to build bridges of understanding across our region,” he stated, underscoring his nation’s proactive diplomatic role.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s own journey, the President acknowledged the profound role the UN played in the nation’s history, specifically recalling how the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) was instrumental in disarming 75,000 combatants and steering the country out of civil war. He positioned the nation’s transformation from a post-conflict state to an active contributor to global peace as a testament to what is possible. “Today, Sierra Leone is no longer a recipient of peace; we are a giver of peace. Our men and women in uniform now serve proudly in UN peacekeeping missions, carrying the lessons of our own journey to nations in need,” he emphasized, highlighting a legacy of resilience and international service.
Turning to domestic progress, President Bio connected his administration’s national development goals, known as the Big Five Game-Changer priorities, to the broader framework of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. He detailed the impact of initiatives such as the Feed Salone Programme, which is designed to empower local farmers and achieve national food self-sufficiency, and the landmark Free Quality School Education initiative, which aims to break cycles of poverty and geographic disadvantage by ensuring universal access to learning. Further illustrating his government’s partnership with UN agencies, he pointed to significant strides in strengthening the nation’s healthcare infrastructure, improving immunization coverage, and enhancing maternal services. “Our investments in health ensure that no mother dies while giving life and no child suffers from preventable diseases,” he affirmed. On the critical issue of energy access, the President reaffirmed a steadfast commitment to expanding renewable energy nationwide, stating, “Across the nation, we are lighting up homes, schools and clinics because energy is life and light is dignity.”
The ceremony itself was rich with symbolism, which President Bio drew upon to articulate a vision of interconnected global futures. “When we raise the UN flag beside our national flag today, we affirm both sovereignty and solidarity. Our flags flying together remind us that Sierra Leone’s destiny is bound with the world’s destiny,” he declared. In a solemn conclusion, he paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of UN peacekeepers and humanitarian workers who have lost their lives in the pursuit of peace, honoring in particular, those Sierra Leoneans who have served under the UN flag.
Echoing the theme of enduring partnership, the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Ms. Seraphine Wakana, noted in her remarks that the UN’s 80th anniversary also marks 64 years of sustained collaboration with Sierra Leone. She highlighted how this long-standing partnership has been a catalyst for transformative progress in areas including peace consolidation, education, healthcare, gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods. “This partnership has transformed lives and continues to reaffirm our shared commitment to sustainable development and human dignity,” Ms. Wakana stated, celebrating a mutual dedication to building a more equitable and prosperous future for all citizens of Sierra Leone.