President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone met with the newly appointed Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in London on 25 May 2025. During this important diplomatic engagement, President Bio urged the Commonwealth to support Africa’s persistent demand for reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
He extended warm congratulations to Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on her historic appointment as the first African woman and only the second African to lead the 56-member Commonwealth of Nations; an organization that represents one-third of the world’s population and more than a quarter of the United Nations’ membership.
“We view the Commonwealth as a diverse organization and your leadership is especially significant for Africa, given your deep understanding of the region,” President Bio said, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s full support for her tenure.
As part of his ongoing diplomatic campaign, President Bio used the opportunity to brief Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on the efforts spearheaded by Sierra Leone and the African Union (AU) to push for a more representative and equitable UN Security Council. He underscored the need for Africa to secure permanent representation, citing principles of fairness and justice that align with the core values of the Commonwealth.
“The push for UN Security Council reform by Africa centers on fairness and justice, principles that resonate deeply with the values of the Commonwealth,” President Bio stressed.
In her response, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey expressed sincere gratitude for the President’s endorsement, and commended his administration’s progress in critical areas such as education, gender equality and youth empowerment. She also acknowledged the broader challenges facing the global community, highlighting the pivotal role the Commonwealth can play in fostering unity and promoting shared development.
“We are at a defining moment in global affairs, and the Commonwealth has a responsibility to act as a force for good, especially in ensuring that multilateral institutions reflect the realities and aspirations of all regions,” she remarked.
Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey disclosed that the
Commonwealth Secretariat is currently working on a new five-year strategic plan. The plan will prioritize resilience building, trade and investment, climate action and the empowerment of young people; areas where collaboration with member states like Sierra Leone will be crucial.
Responding directly to President Bio’s appeal, she noted that one of the Commonwealth’s mandates is indeed to promote inclusivity and equity within global governance structures.
“The Commonwealth believes in strengthening multilateralism and in ensuring that the institutions we rely on are reflective of the global population they serve,” Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey affirmed.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to closer collaboration, not only in promoting Africa’s interests on the global stage, but also in fostering shared values of democracy, peace and sustainable development across the Commonwealth.