AYV News January 12, 2023
Sierra Leone’s Non-Resident Ambassador-Designate to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas has presented her Letters of Credence to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas presented her credentials together with ten other Non-Resident Ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom of Bahrain in a pomp and pageantry ceremony held at Sakhir Palace.
Presenting copies of the Letters of recall of her predecessor and the Letters accrediting her as the Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Kingdom of Bahrain, she expressed heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty the King for availing her the opportunity to present her Credentials.
During the ceremony Her Excellency conveyed His Excellency the President, Dr Julius Maada Bio’s warm felicitations and best wishes for his Majesty continued good health as well as the prosperity of the friendly people and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In her brief statement, Ambassador Ishata Thomas spoke about the two countries’ desire to further strengthen bilateral relations, which, she noted, was recently demonstrated during the successful working visit of Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David John Francis on 8th June 2022, wherein the two Foreign Ministers signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the two friendly countries, which culminated in the discussion of fruitful bilateral issues between the two countries and thus leading to the initiation of six bilateral draft agreements.
Responding, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain congratulated the Ambassadors and extended greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, wishing them success in their new endeavours and assuring them of Bahrain’s commitment to further heightening the existing relations between their respective countries.
The strong bilateral and special relationship between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Bahrain dates as far back as 1971 when Sierra Leone held the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and strongly supported United Nations Security Resolutions for the admission of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
To further deepen relations, the two countries have finalised the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Foreign Service Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies of the Kingdom of Bahrain awaiting a date for the signing ceremony.
Furthermore, in an effort to further boost cooperation, the two countries have reviewed some draft agreements and these include: Draft Agreement on Exemption on Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports Between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Draft General Cooperation Agreement for the Establishment of a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Draft Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations Between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Draft Agreement on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Draft Education Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain; and Draft Cultural and Artistic Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Finally, the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Bahrain have initiated an Investment Forum, an outcome of Professor David Francis’ working visit to Manama.
A delegation comprising representatives of the private sector and government officials will visit the Kingdom of Bahrain during the first half of 2023.
