Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia Move to Deepen Bilateral Relations
Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with emphasis on economic cooperation, investment, development, diplomacy, and people-to-people ties.
The commitment was reaffirmed during Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day celebrations in Freetown, attended by Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Jeneba J. Bangura congratulated the Saudi leadership and people, noting that diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1978, have expanded across political, economic, humanitarian, and multilateral areas.
Bangura welcomed Saudi Arabia’s establishment of a resident embassy in Freetown and proposed the creation of a joint Saudi-Sierra Leone Economic and Business Council to strengthen private-sector engagement, facilitate trade missions, and promote investment.
She also expressed appreciation for Saudi development and humanitarian assistance, including support through the Saudi Fund for Development, and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, international law, peace and stability, intelligence sharing, and technical capacity-building.
At the multilateral level, Sierra Leone expressed readiness to work with Saudi Arabia through international institutions on shared objectives, including global equity, justice, and sustainable development.
Saudi Ambassador Saud Al-Musa’ed described the opening of the Saudi Embassy in Freetown and his appointment as the Kingdom’s first resident ambassador to Sierra Leone as landmark developments.
He highlighted potential cooperation in air transport, health, security, defence, youth development, social affairs, and business, including an air transport cooperation agreement that could expand travel, tourism, and aviation services between the two countries.
Both sides expressed hope for continued expansion of friendship and cooperation between Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia.