AYV News, August 10, 2023
His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has convened the first Cabinet meeting of his new 5-year mandate.
He tweeted: “My new Cabinet is a crucible of talented and accomplished Sierra Leoneans, cutting across different ages, gender, tongues and tribes representing our progressive aspirations to bring sustainable development and social progress to our nation. These distinguished countrymen and women are poised to support the Honorable Vice-President Vice President Jalloh and I as we embark upon a new five-year mandate that echoes the call for continuity.
“The significantly increased number of Women and young people appointed in my new Government signals a renaissance for meaningful development and socioeconomic progress in our country. I admonished every Cabinet Minister and their Deputies to administer their tasks with honour and integrity and to always put the needs of the people above personal interests. Together, we will do our best with the help of the Almighty God to improve the quality of life of our Citizens.”
After the meeting, President Bio left Sierra Leone for the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Governments.
The high-stakes Summit is scheduled to convene in Abuja, Nigeria today August 10, 2023. This critical meeting aims to address pressing regional concerns and foster collaborative efforts among West African nations.
The departure of H.E. Bio marks a significant diplomatic engagement for Sierra Leone, as leaders from across the ECOWAS member states gather to discuss pivotal matters of regional importance.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, will serve as the venue for this crucial assembly, wherein leaders will deliberate on matters spanning security, economic cooperation, and political stability.
West African leaders will meet on today to make a final decision on how to deal with the situation in Niger, where the military has defied a deadline set up the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
The military seized power on July 26, following a mutiny.
ECOWAS leaders at an emergency meeting in the Nigerian capital, Abuja on July 30, issued a seven days ultimatum for the deposed president to be reinstated, among other demands. That deadline elapsed last Sunday.
On Monday, the bloc announced a planned meeting to be held by the leaders in Abuja to discuss its next move.
“During this Summit, the leaders of the West African organization will address the political situation and recent developments in Nigeria,” it said in a statement.
Concerns have grown about the potential for an escalation of violence in the country in the event of military intervention.
Military chiefs of the member countries of ECOWAS also met in Abuja late last week and agreed on a plan for a possible intervention.
The meeting was attended by military chiefs from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Senegal, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Cabo Verde and Benin.
The former colonial power of Niger, France, appears to be more forceful about forcing the junta out. It has evacuated its nationals and warned against traveling to the West African country in fear of an all-out violence.
