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The Ministry of Foreign and International Cooperation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, has on Wednesday, 16th April, 2025 welcomed a delegation from the Tanzanian Defence Colle to foster a dialogue on sustainable mining investments and promote exchange of ideas and experiences.
Tamba Juana, the Deputy Director General for Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, opened the meeting by highlighting the longstanding relationships between Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and other international partners.
He acknowledged both the historical significance of those ties over the past four to five decades and the contemporary challenges that arise, particularly in leadership and bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, Juana emphasized Sierra Leone’s active role in the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, underlining the nation’s commitment to addressing regional security issues.
Leading the Tanzanian delegation, Brigadier General C.J. Ndiege remarked that the group is currently visiting five countries, which includes discussions on mining investments in Algeria, Ethiopia, and Morocco, involving 61 participants.
Ndiege further stressed the significance of collaboration and sharing insights on national security as essential to enhancing investment strategies in the mining sector.
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, addressed the delegation, drawing connections between mining and security in Sierra Leone. He referenced the country’s historical challenges with diamonds that contributed to civil conflict, contrasting this with Botswana’s effective management of its diamond resources under strong leadership.
Minister Kabba noted, “Minerals can be a blessing but can also bring hardship; we have learned this the hard way.” He recounted how Sierra Leone, alongside Liberia, led the fight against the blood diamond crisis, which ultimately resulted in the establishment of the Kimberley Process certification that legitimizes diamonds from both nations.
In his capacity as Chair of the UN Sanctions Committee, Kabba highlighted Sierra Leone’s efforts to address ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mineral-driven unrest is widespread. He urged the Tanzanian armed forces to study the situation in Congo to ensure wise resource management, stating, “Resources can attract negative influences.”
The Deputy Director General expressed admiration for Minister Kabba’s extensive experience in the mining sector, citing him as an inspiring figure of resilience and growth amidst past challenges.
