Korovy Val Moscow, Russia - Wednesday 17 October 2021* - The Russian Federation and the Republic of Sierra Leone will celebrate 60 years of fruitful diplomatic relations on January 18th, 2022.
One of the highlights of this very enduring and promising relationship was President Bio's participation in the first Russia-Africa summit in Sochi, Russia in 2019.
In nearly six decades, the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Soviet Union and then the Russian Federation, have collaborated at the bilateral and Multilateral platforms: International Organisations, in the area of Security, Education to name but a few.
Both countries had Embassies in each other’s capitals. However, during the civil war in Sierra Leone, the Russian Embassy relocated its representation to Guinea’s capital Conakry.
A strong representation has been made to the Russian government to consider re-opening its Mission in Freetown, especially now that both governments have agreed on a visa-free movement for holders of Diplomatic and Service passports and the deepening bilateral cooperation.
The Parliament of Sierra Leone on the 9th of November, 2021 ratified the visa-free travel Agreement that was laid in its Well on the 21st October 2021 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David John Francis.
Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mr Sergey Lavrov and Professor David John Francis Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone on the 17th of May 2021 during the latter’s working visit to Moscow with the then Director-General, Mrs Florence Nyawa Bangalie and other officials from the Foreign Ministry.
The bilateral discussions also included but were not limited to: Education, Trade and investment, oil and gas.
During the presentation of the aforementioned visa-free agreement between the two friendly countries in The Well of Parliament, Professor Francis outlined some of the benefits of "our outstanding and fruitful bilateral relations with the Russian Federation which has brought tremendous benefits to the human capital development of our nation".
Professor Francis added that over two thousand Sierra Leoneans have been trained in Russia in diverse fields including and not limited to Medicine, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Oil and Gas, Security studies, International Relations and Law, Geology, Fishing and Mining.
Professor David John Francis went further to explain the benefits attached to the agreement with Russia, including trade and investment, quick diplomatic travels between the two countries for conferences, and the protection of our diplomatic officials and their families.
During the debate in Parliament, there was universal acclaim by members of all political parties, independent MPs and Paramount Chief MPs lauded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation for bestowing trust and confidence in the Russian Federation that Sierra Leone is a credible partner ready for growth and development in every sector of society.
Accordingly, Sierra Leonean and Russian holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports can look forward to travelling to each other’s countries Visa-free.
In recent weeks Ambassador Mohamed Yongawo visited Sierra Leone accompanied by potential Russian investors, and he is awaiting others to join him in the country. These potential investors are interested in various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, environment, tourism, mining, fishing, transport, Agriculture and many more.
For More Enquiries
Festus J. Lahai
Information Attache'
Moscow, Russian Federation
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