The Chancery of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Conakry, Guinea, became the focal point last Thursday, 3rd October 2024, when the newly appointed French Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Luc Briard, who is based in Conakry, paid a courtesy visit to his Sierra Leonean counterpart, H.E. Alimamy H. Bangura.

During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of bilateral issues affecting both countries.

Earlier in his submission Ambassador Briard informed the Sierra Leonean top diplomat in Conakry Ambassador Alimamy H Bangura to list down key priority areas of his government so that he would work on them during his tenure of office.

He further informed Ambassador Bangura that he would work hard to forge more closer ties between Sierra Leone and Guinea since the two sister countries share the same cultural backgrounds.

The French Ambassador however talked about plans to establish a French School in Freetown and went further to extend an invitation to Sierra Leonean Artistes through Ambassador Bangura to perform at the Franco Guinean Cultural show expected to hold in Conakry.

In his remarks, the Sierra Leonean Ambassador HE Alimamy H. Bangura thanked the French Ambassador H.E LUC Briard for taking time out of his busy schedule to call on him and discuss pertinent issues bordering Sierra Leone and France.

H.E Alimamy Bangura further updated the French Ambassador Designate on recent political developments in Sierra Leone stemming from the elections in 2023 to the formation of the tripartite committee meant towards resolving all issues associated with the 23rd June 2024 general elections in Sierra Leone.

He also briefed him about the 5 key priority areas of the Government of Sierra Leone which is referred to as the Big Five. He also raised the issue of short term visas (two weeks and one month) issued to government officials which includes Cabinet Ministers, Heads of Government Parastatals and Official Government delegations.

Ambassador Bangura also made mention of the opening of the French Embassy in Freetown and commended the French government for this giant stride.

Responding further, Ambassador Briard promised to resolve the issues associated with the issuance of visas and requested Ambassador Sangura to provide him with a list of Government officials with diplomatic passports.