By Amara Thoronka
Sierra Leone’s President, Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio on Monday 11 October 2021 departed Sierra Leone for neighbouring Guinea on the invitation of the Military Head of State of the Republic of Guinea, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.
The one-day working visit was characterised by discussions on security cooperation issues between the two neighbouring countries, the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Guinea and the ECOWAS democratic transition roadmap.
In a tweet, after the meeting of the two leaders, President Bio said:
“The people of Guinea supported Sierra Leone through our most difficult times. Our meeting today on security co-operation was very fruitful. We will continue to engage and support the ECOWAS transition framework.”
It should be noted that although the Republic of Guinea has been suspended by ECOWAS from all Community activities due to the military coup, ECOWAS member states are not prevented from engaging the Republic of Guinea on bilateral issues.
President Julius Maada Bio was accompanied to the Republic of Guinea by a four-man delegation including the Speaker of Sierra Leone’s Parliament, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis; the Deputy Minister of Defence, Colonel (Rtd) Kellie Conteh; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay.
