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Sierra Leone

MP, CSO speak on Bio’s ECOWAS Leadership

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 AYV News, July 7, 2025

Rt. Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, a member of Sierra Leone’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, praised President Julius Maada Bio’s distinguished leadership, noting that his military background and statesmanship positioned him as the ideal choice to engage diplomatically with countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which previously withdrew from the bloc.

Hon. Lamina outlined several anticipated benefits of Sierra Leone’s leadership in ECOWAS, including economic gains, a boost to the tourism sector, and an expanded role for the Sierra Leone Armed Forces in regional peacekeeping. He also revealed that the ECOWAS depot in Lungi is now 95% complete and will host the bloc’s standby force once fully operational.

Also, Juliet Anderson, National Coordinator of the Civil Society Movement Sierra Leone, congratulated President Bio on his ECOWAS appointment and commended the country’s open civic space. She praised Sierra Leone as a country where civil society operates freely, unlike other West African nations currently facing restrictions.

Madam Juliet emphasised that civil society has historically played a vital role in restoring and sustaining democracy in Sierra Leone and the wider region.

Speaking on the Yenga issue, she expressed confidence that Sierra Leone’s tenure as ECOWAS Chair offers a strategic window to resolve the border dispute with Guinea amicably. She reaffirmed civil society’s readiness to support democratic consolidation during this historic leadership period.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, highlighted the significance of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s appointment as Chair of ECOWAS. He emphasised President Bio’s vision to restore constitutional order and strengthen democracy across the region.

Minister Kabba stated that the President also intends to prioritise regional security cooperation, promote trade and investment, and enhance people-to-people integration among member states.

One of the key goals is to eliminate non-tariff barriers to ensure the seamless movement of goods and services across ECOWAS borders. The Minister assured citizens that President Bio is committed to restoring trust and credibility to ECOWAS and is receiving full institutional support to succeed in this challenging task.

Addressing public concerns regarding the financial implications of Sierra Leone chairing ECOWAS, Minister Kabba clarified that the ECOWAS Commission will fund the bloc’s operational activities, while Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance will provide support to the President’s office during his tenure.

He assured the nation that this support will not jeopardise the country’s economy, citing the 0.5% ECOWAS levy as a sustainable revenue source. Minister Kabba also recalled how other nations made sacrifices to support Sierra Leone in the past, and emphasized President Bio’s determination to position Sierra Leone as a major player on the international stage.

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