The Administrator General of the African Renaissance Monument in Senegal, M. Birame Mbarou Diouf has on the 8th April 2022 during a courtesy visit on the Sierra Leone Ambassador to Senegal requested for artifacts of Sierra Leone to be displayed in the renaissance monument museum.
On the 3rd of April 2010 the then President Abdoulaye Wade unveiled in the presence of about 20 African leaders, the continent’s tallest 49-metre high bronze statue in Dakar named the African Renaissance Monument. It is located on top of one of the twin hills known as Collines des Mamelles.
The Monument’s Administrator General M. Birame Mbarou while explaining to the Ambassador about the significance of the partnership between the monument and Sierra Leone said the monument was a synonym for the continent’s greatness, stability and durability after several centuries of colonialism.
He said Sierra Leone was well represented during the inauguration of the monument in 2010 and it was because of that relationship, they were building on partnership for a strong Pan African collaboration. He mentioned that the monument offers African diversity, cultures from various African countries and lamented on the diverse history of Sierra Leone relevant to be show cased in the museum.
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Senegal, Alhaji Brima Elvis Koroma expressed delight for the collaboration and explained Sierra Leone’s slave history as similar to that of Senegal. He assured that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will be informed accordingly where steps will be taking to ensure presence of Sierra Leonean artifacts in one of the rooms in the museum allocated to the country.
Ambassador Koroma also described the monument as re-awakening Pan Africanism.
Earlier, the Head of Chancery of the Sierra Leone Embassy Mr. Saidu Timbo welcomed the Administrator General and staff from the renaissance monument and assured them of the Embassy’s collaboration.
During the inauguration of the monument, former President Abdoulaye Wade said, “It brings to life our common destiny. Africa has arrived in the 21st century standing tall and more ready than ever to take its destiny into its hands.” Former President of Malawi, Bingu Wa Mutharika also said, “This monument does not belong to Senegal. It belongs to the African people wherever we are”
