By: Saidu Jalloh
A high-level delegation from the British High Commission, led by Kathleen Reid, the Deputy High Commissioner, recently visited the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi. The delegation included Kezia Exley, Deputy Sahel Envoy; Hamish Tye, UK Political Envoy to ECOWAS; Christopher Howells, Political Secretary; and Amalara Jalloh, Political Officer at the British High Commission.
The purpose of the visit was to strengthen bilateral dialogue and explore ways to enhance support for the ECOWAS Logistics Depot. Discussions focused on identifying key intervention areas and addressing capacity gaps in areas such as training, technical assistance, and other needs essential to fully operationalizing the facility.
The engagement reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting sustainable security, good governance, and capacity-building across the ECOWAS region.
During the meeting, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the ongoing support from the UK. She described the visit as timely, particularly as Sierra Leone currently chairs ECOWAS and is preparing to host several major regional events, including the 2026 ECOWAS Summit.
Minister Barlay highlighted key strategic priorities led by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, including economic integration, restoring constitutional order, strengthening democratic governance, and enhancing regional security cooperation. She emphasized that President Bio’s leadership, notably his engagements with the heads of state of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea, demonstrates Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional stability and solidarity within the ECOWAS community.
The Minister outlined the achievements made so far at the ECOWAS Logistics Depot, as well as the challenges still faced, such as staffing shortages, the need for proper furnishings, and other logistical gaps that must be addressed to make the facility fully functional.
Mr. Komba Momoh, Deputy Development Secretary III and Head of the ECOWAS National Office at MoPED, emphasized the need for capacity-building for national staff, improved coordination, and the sharing of technical expertise to ensure the Depot’s full operationalization. He also highlighted ECOWAS’ ongoing initiative to recruit civilians into peace support operations, especially within administrative roles, and called for further support to equip and furnish the facility.
The British delegation shared insights into their ongoing support for ECOWAS member states, focusing on capacity development, improved communication systems, technical assistance for peacekeeping operations, and diplomatic information training through Terms of Reference and Memoranda of Understanding.
The delegation expressed admiration for the progress made at the ECOWAS Logistics Depot, commending the government and its partners for their efforts in developing the facility into a key strategic asset for the region. They praised the scale and quality of the infrastructure being built in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Robert Moikowa, Technical Adviser at the ECOWAS National Office, added that ECOWAS is intensifying its focus on conflict resolution and resilience-building, with the aim of transforming fragile contexts into sustainable peace through inclusive democracy, deeper economic integration, and stronger security in communities.
The visit concluded with a guided tour of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, led by Minister Barlay, ECOWAS Resident Representative Mr. John Azumah, and the British delegation. The tour offered an on-site opportunity to assess the facility’s progress and identify areas where additional targeted support could have the most impact.