Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the First Lady, Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio has returned home from European Union in the Belgian capital of Brussels and African Union in Addis Ababa.

President Bio was in Brussels on the invitation of the President of the European Union Council Charles Michel. During his visit, President Bio had excellent bilateral meetings with senior officials of the EU including the EC Vice President Joseph Borrell and EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen.

The President was accompanied to the meetings by Dr Francis Kaikai, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ambassador Samuel Tamba Musa, accredited to the European Union and Mr Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, Press Secretary to the President.

During one of the meetings  President Bio received praises from President Michel for the bold reforms that he has undertaken during his first term in office focusing on the abolition of the death penalty, repeal of the seditious libel law and the GEWE law. He also reassured President Bio of European Union support to the development aspirations of Sierra Leone.

On his part, President Bio thanked President Charles Michel for the invitation adding that the visit underscored the excellent bilateral relations between European Union and Sierra Leone. He also highlighted the preparations for the forthcoming elections and stated that Government had financed about 60% of the ECSL budget.

President Michel and President Bio also discussed the regional security relating to the Sahel region.