His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has met with Commonwealth leaders including the Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland KC.
The leaders discussed importance of peace, democracy and the rule of law and also issues related to the government’s preparation for the forthcoming multi-tier elections in June.
President Bio highlighted his government’s commitment to promoting free, fair and credible elections in the country.
He also disclosed that the Commonwealth has assured their commitment to supporting the government of Sierra Leone to ensure a peaceful election in the country and maintain sustainability.
President Bio said: “Today, I met with my dear sister and friend commonwealth secretary general baronesses Patricia Scotland KC in London.
“We discussed Sierra Leone’s forthcoming multi-tier elections and my government’s commitment to promoting free, fair and credible elections, which has been the bedrock of my SLPP administration’s investments in key electoral reforms.
“Baroness Scotland assured us of the commonwealth’s commitment to supporting our government’s efforts to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections on June 4, 2023.
“She acknowledged our efforts towards sustaining peace in Sierra Leone and encouraged all parties to commit to a peaceful process and follow the established channels for registering objections to any component of the process”.
Baroness Scotland KC said: “It was a pleasure to meet with President Bio of Sierra Leone today after the coronation and to discuss the upcoming election.
“The President and I discussed tackling shared challenge and the importance of commonwealth values including peace, democracy and the rule of law”.
Global leaders including President and First Lady of Sierra Leone and foreign royalty on Saturday attended the event at the Abbey — scene of royal coronations since William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066 — at the start of a day of celebrations.
The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla is a moment of extraordinary pride for Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
King Charles III ascended to the British throne after the passing of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.
His Majesty King Charles III has become head of the Commonwealth, an association of 56 independent countries and 2.5 billion people.
Earlier, Leaders from the Commonwealth’s 56 member states met with His Majesty King Charles III at Marlborough House, the Headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat and reaffirmed their unwavering and unified commitment to the continued strengthening of the Commonwealth family.
The King described the Commonwealth as a ‘cornerstone’ of his life, expressing his unwavering support for the values, people and countries of the Commonwealth.
At their Heads of Government Meeting in 2018, Commonwealth Leaders decided that he would succeed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth, and he acceded to the role upon her death in September 2022.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, said: “I can think of no stronger signal of His Majesty’s deep connection to our Family of Nations than taking time to meet with Commonwealth Leaders at Marlborough House ahead of his Coronation. Earlier this year, the King highlighted the Commonwealth’s ‘near-boundless potential as a force for good’.
The Secretary-General observed that the Commonwealth is growing in size, scale and influence, especially as the event also welcomed the leaders of Togo and Gabon, who attended their first meeting of Commonwealth Leaders.
President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio and First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio were in London for the coronation ceremony and commonwealth meetings.
AYV International & the BBC brought you live coverage. The media empire followed every moment of this special day in British and Commonwealth history including the procession from Buckingham Palace, the coronation in Westminster Abbey plus commentaries from AYV studios in London and Sierra Leone.
