Credentials, also known as “letters of Credence”, refer to the formal documentation accrediting High Commissioner as Head of a Diplomatic Mission. This is a formal letter from the diplomat’s Head of State to The Queen asking her to give ‘credence’ to the new High Commissioner. The meeting comes as part of a long tradition of Foreign Ambassadors and High Commissioners being presented to the Queen shortly before they take up their new roles. The formal ceremony, based on a firmly established tradition and diplomatic protocol takes place at the Buckingham Palace and represents one the of most memorable moments in the mandate of the High Commissioner. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms welcomes several foreign ambassadors and High Commissioners from around the world, with a view to further diplomatic relationships. It has a traditional scenario for all heads of mission accredited to the Court of St James’s. The Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, sent by Her Majesty The Queen, chauffeured the High Commissioner Dr Morie Manyeh, his spouse, and members of his diplomatic staff on horse-drawn state carriages. The procession, escorted by mounted elements and motorcycle riders of the London Metropolitan police travelled from the Hilton Hotel Park Lane to Buckingham Palace, whereupon arrival they were presented to meet with Her Majesty The Queen for the presentation of his credentials. The High Commissioner privately met with Her Majesty The Queen and also introduced his wife, Mrs Marie Manyeh and staff including the Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Agnes Dugba Macauley. Following the meeting with Her Majesty The Queen, the Sierra Leone High Commissioner and his delegation were then accompanied back to Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, where the High Commissioner hosted family, friends, colleagues, high commissioners, international partners for a celebratory “vin d’honneur” and a final tradition was honoured.
In his welcome remarks and toast to the Sierra Leone High Commissioner, at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr Alistair Harrison noted that there are many Sierra Leoneans studying, working and living in the UK. Reminiscing his visit to Sierra Leone many years ago, Mr Harrison said he was amazed by the warmth and friendly disposition of the people of Sierra Leone. He said Her Majesty The Queen has a strong interest in Sierra Leone, and that from the interaction between the High Commissioner and Her Majesty the Queen, he sensed that the meeting went well, and cited this as a manifestation of the strong relations between the two countries. The High Commissioner, Dr Morie Manyeh delivered a passionate speech, calling on businesses, governments and international institutions to invest in Sierra Leone.
The High Commissioner seeks to mobilise investments to create jobs, promote tourism and boost mutual prosperity. Dr Manyeh praised the special relationship between the UK and Sierra Leone, and paid special tribute to the two countries. He described the UK as Sierra Leone’s oldest friend, and expressed thanks for the support being provided Sierra Leone. He noted that Britain supported Sierra Leone to win the fight against Ebola – and played the lead role in ending Sierra Leone’s civil war, afterwards providing much of the aid needed to start the country’s recovery and rebuild as a nation, and that the UK is Sierra Leone’s strategic development partner. Dr Morie Manyeh said he considered himself as the High Commissioner for every Sierra Leonean regardless of tribe or political affiliations, and that his role was to work towards a better and united Sierra Leone. The High Commissioner conveyed warmest greetings from President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone to Her Majesty The Queen. He reiterated the commitment of the Government of Sierra Leone to ensure continuous close cooperation between the two countries to maintain long standing and mutually beneficial relationship. High Commissioner, Dr. Manyeh is a former university lecturer and Sierra Leone’s former minister of Mines and Mineral Resources. Dr. Manyeh’s appointment as High Commissioner is considered as a strategic move by the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Maada Bio, to pursue policies and programmes aimed at making Sierra Leone an even more attractive destination for investment and tourism. The Sierra Leone High Commission is dedicated to its mission of promoting and protecting the interests of Sierra Leone in the United Kingdom and countries of accreditation including Cyprus, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. This is part of the efforts to provide a global platform to promote Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development, information on its recent reforms and to project Sierra Leone’s international image.
AYV international’s Mr Messeh Leone, Ms Michaela Kanyako, Mr Alpha Jalloh, Mr Chamssoudine Tamou, Ms Elizebeth Kazabureh contributed to this report. AYV international filmed and produced a short documentary for the Sierra Leone High Commission on Dr Morie Manyeh’s presentation of credentials to Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II. Looking for a professional team to handle your corporate, charity or private event coverage? Contact us: ayv.international@ayvnews.com or ayv.international@gmail.com Watch documentary on YouTube.
