Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David J Francis, has arrived at the JFK International Airport in New York ahead of the United Nations Security Council Elections.

The minister is set to represent His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at the UN General Assembly to observe the global election in which Sierra Leone is one of the candidates.

The country’s bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2024-2025 term was formally launched by His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, in September 2022 as was communicated by Mohamed Massaquoi, the Information Attaché.

The bid represented a watershed moment for the transformation of Sierra Leone’s international image and status.

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To signify the importance of the bid and Sierra Leone’s election to the UNSC, His Excellency President Bio referenced Sierra Leone’s return to the body primarily responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, as one of the major successes of his government in international relations in his first term.

Sierra Leone’s candidacy for a seat in the non-Permanent category of the UNSC is significant to increase diplomatic capital, which can be leveraged for socioeconomic growth and the development of the country as that has been the dream of the president and other key stakeholders.

Many Sierra Leoneans have got the impression that, having the seat at the UNSC will be a big boost for not only the country but for the continent at large.