AYV News, August 4, 2023

The new Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba has officially taken over his new role in the Ministry following his appointment by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and his approval by Parliament.

During the handing-over ceremony at the Foreign Service Academy in the Ministry, the Director-General and Ambassador-at-Large thanked Professor David Francis for playing a pivotal role in the transformation of the Ministry.

“Your exemplary and dynamic leadership, your professional reforms of this ministry, and your outstanding performance in repositioning Sierra Leone on the global stage. Your resolve in seeing that the Foreign Service Academy transitions are now a concrete reality that is now up and running and your leadership in pushing the Foreign Service Bill to the level of Cabinet and your efforts at ensuring Sierra Leone gets a clean slate winning for one of the non-permanent seats in the UN Security Council over 52 years are something this ministry is grateful for,” she said.

Dr. Sulimani welcomed the new Minister Timothy Musa Kabba, who she said did well in his previous assignments in transforming the mining sector, with an increase in revenue from mineral exports and increased employment.

The outgoing Minister Professor David J. Francis gave a detailed report on reforms and achievements made during his three-year leadership.

Some of the reforms he highlighted include the facelift of the Headquarters, effective engagements with diplomatic partners, the fulfillment of His Excellency’s strategic goal for Sierra Leone to be elected a member in the non-permanent category at the United Nations Security Council, the securing of the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) Compact, the securing of lands for the construction of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Morocco embassies.

“Mr. Minister, you are taking over at a time when the Foreign Ministry is effectively and professionally managed with a functioning Foreign Service Academy with a credible and distinguished leadership team. You are coming in at a time when Sierra Leone is internationally and globally recognized and respected as a country of standing in the international community of states. You are coming in when Sierra Leone has made its mark in the UN Security Council, in terms of ECOWAS, African Union, the Commonwealth,” said Professor David Francis.

Professor Francis called on his successor to work on the challenges and consolidate those gains he had left and to note that the Foreign Ministry is an extension of the Presidency.
Professor Francis assured his unflinching support to the new Minister whenever he is needed.

He thanked the former Deputy Minister Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, the Director-General and Ambassador at Large, Dr. Victoria Sulimani, foreign missions, and other former ministers that worked with him to achieve those goals.

Responding, Minister Timothy Musa Kabba thanked His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for appointing him to further the country’s foreign policy and to promote the national interest of Sierra Leone.

He thanked Professor Francis for his outstanding leadership and transformation in the Ministry during his tenure.

“I feel satisfied that I am coming to provide leadership for a ministry and a sector that is already equipped with people that are experienced and drawn from all the geographical regions of this country. It is going to be very difficult to even attempt to scale on the successes of Professor David Francis. I want to thank you Professor for giving me a detailed report of the Ministry and having looked at it, I felt proud for such wonderful work you have done.

The Foreign Ministry coordinates affairs around our country and put them out in the international arena. Our representation must reflect the characteristic of our nation, peace security, and national cohesion. Despite your tribe or the language you speak, I want to assure everyone that I am a Minister of Government. I shall be taking a very daunting task from a gentleman and a distinguished patriot who has done his best in serving our country,” Minister Timothy said. He assured staff of his fullest corporation in service delivery.