Secretary General’s visit to Sierra Leone
- November 10, 2025
Table of Contents
Visit of the Secretary-General to the Republic of Sierra Leone
Date: 1 August 2025
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), His Excellency Mr. Moussa S. Batraki, conducted a working visit to the Republic of Sierra Leone on July 28 and 29, 2025. The visit focused on high-level discussions with Sierra Leone’s political leadership.
During an audience with His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, the Secretary-General acknowledged the country’s active engagement in OACPS programs. He extended congratulations to President Bio on his recent assumption of the chairmanship of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as his forthcoming leadership role as a member of the United Nations Security Council later this year.
The Secretary-General informed the President Bio about the upcoming 11th Summit of the OACPS Heads of State and Government. The President welcomed this initiative as a platform to reflect on the last 50 years of the OACPS and to explore the organisation’s future direction. The President reaffirmed his commitment to the OACPS and underscored its vital role in enhancing relations with the European Union and promoting South-South cooperation.
In addition to meetings with the President, the Secretary-General engaged with key Sierra Leonean government officials, including the Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation, Mr. Timothy Musa Kabbah, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Mrs. Princess Dugba, Minister of Information Mr. Chernor Bah, Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Charles Senessie, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Dr. Theriser Tenneh Dick. In these discussions, the importance of the OACPS as the second-largest multilateral organisation after the United Nations was reiterated, emphasising its crucial role in diplomacy and strengthening economic partnerships with the EU. The meetings also explored avenues for collaboration with the OACPS and highlighted Sierra Leone’s “BIG FIVE” priorities aimed at accelerating economic growth and enhancing resilience.
Furthermore, the Secretary-General met with the Parliamentary leadership, including an audience with the Right Honourable Mr. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of Parliament. The Speaker reaffirmed the commitment of Sierra Leone’s Parliament to the OACPS and pledged to work with government branches to expedite the ratification of the Samoa Agreement, enabling member states to fully benefit from this phase of the OACPS-EU partnership. During his engagement with the Sierra Leone OACPS parliamentary delegation, the Secretary-General was informed about their outreach initiatives to other parliamentary delegations in West Africa, which have included meetings with counterparts in Nigeria, The Gambia, Liberia, and Ghana to promote OACPS activities.
This visit underscored the importance of strengthened engagement and ongoing consultations between the OACPS and its member states. It provided valuable insights into the expectations of Sierra Leone and the areas where the OACPS can contribute effectively to member states’ priorities.
