AYV News, August 27, 2025
Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Kingdom of Belgium andthe European Union, His Excellency Philip Bob Jusu, has met with his Panamanian counterpart, His Excellency Angel Ernesto Riera Diaz, for a bilateral discussion focused on multilateralism.
Ambassador Bob Jusu spoke about Sierra Leone’s strong engagement in international bodies, mentioning its membership in organisations like the AUC10, the United Nations Security Council, and ECOWAS under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.
“In terms of visibility and our involvement in multilateral institutions, we are doing quite well,” he said. However, he believes in doing more, and for that. “he will need the right advice, guidance, relationships, and alliances to enhance our visibility,”.
He also sought Panama’s support for Sierra Leone’s International Court of Justice candidacy.
Similarly, Ambassador Jusu also acknowledged the importance of Panama’s role in multilateralism and their shared commitment to multilateral principles at the U.N.
On the domestic front, Ambassador Bob Jusu shared insights into Sierra Leone’s government, pointing out that its leadership is unusually young, with cabinet members between 35 and 40 years old on average. He expressed optimism for the future, saying, “We are hopeful that with this group of young leaders guided by President Bio, we can transform Sierra Leone into an enviable place”.
Ambassador Diaz, in turn, expressed appreciation for the insights shared about Sierra Leone and congratulated the country on its international positions. He noted that Brussels is a vast place with numerous competing priorities, which can leave smaller countries feeling marginalised. He drew attention to the importance of mutual reliance and solidarity, commenting, “If you don’t rely on others in life, you won’t get far”.
