“Sierra Leone has shown remarkable progress in maintaining peace, strengthening democracy and working towards an environment suitable for economic growth”, the Ambassador designate said.

Ambassador Designate, Brewer uttered this statement of commendation at an engagement with journalists at the US Embassy, Hill Station, Freetown on September 21.

 Maria Brewer has in her Foreign Service career served the US Government in various capacities, ranging from Deputy Director of Career Development and Assignments Division of the Department of States Bureau of Human Resource, to Deputy Chief of Mission to the US Embassy in Nigeria and Deputy Executive Director of the Bureau of African Affairs, among others.

She described Sierra Leone, where she was in 1999 to 2001, as a country that she was elated to return.

“I am happy to return to Sierra Leone, a country that has a special place in my heart”, the Ambassador Designate disclosed.

“I look forward to building on my experience and knowledge of Sierra Leone and West Africa to successfully advance our common goal”, she reiterated.

The Ambassador Designate, Maria Brewer disclosed that she will be focusing on various areas, such as promoting the health sector, rule of law and access to justice, economic development and the smooth electioneering process, which she said is the key focus of the embassy at the moment.

“Our policy towards countries in Africa will continue to be guided by four principles: advancing peace and security, countering the scourge of terrorism, increasing economic growth and investment and promoting democracy and good governance”, she said.

The Ambassador Designate will soon present her credentials to President Ernest Bai Koroma, to herald the start of her three-year service as the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, succeeding Ambassador John Hoover.