Celebrating Sierra Leone’s UNSC Presidency, Foreign Affairs Ministry Raps Journalists

By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
As Sierra Leone steps into the month of its historic Presidency at the United Nations Security Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, on Thursday 1st August 2024, organized a special press conference of celebration, commending the people of Sierra Leone, briefing the country’s outstanding contributions at the council and expectations on the new position assumed.
In his introductory statement, the Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah expressed that August 1st is a very special day for Sierra Leone. He said August 1st which was yesterday was the day Sierra Leone assumed the historic and prestigious position of Presidency of the United Nations. He said to mark that special day hence the Minister of Foreign Affairs convened the apical press conference to give an in-depth explanation on the journey, process, agenda and implications for such a huge day for the Republic of Sierra Leone.
I want to take this opportunity to say congratulations to every Sierra Leonean. It is a day of national pride. We are not just inside the Security Council but we are now President. I also want to congratulate the first gentleman of the state, His Excellency Rt. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, for his vision, for his leadership and for his strategy that led us to this historic occasion,” Information Minister C. Bah expressed.
As the keynote speaker of the momentous occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation Aljahi Timothy Musa Kabba also commenced his statement by expressing that it was indeed an epoch-making day in the history of Sierra Leone as a country. He said that is because it had been 53 years since Sierra Leone had the opportunity to be part of the UN Security Council.
Since January this year and for the whole of 2024 and for the whole of 2025, Sierra Leone would continue to be at the United Nations Security Council. And today, the 1st of August, we have assumed the Presidency of the world’s most premier institution responsible for the maintenance of global peace and security. Despite the size of we economy and the size of the geography of the country, Sierra Leone is at the world stage today as stewardship for the work of the UN Security for the next 30 days,” Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Kabba affirmed.
On what the country had been doing in the UN Security Council for the past seven months, since the 1st of January when it assumed the Non-Permanent Seat at the UN Security Council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs detailed the manyoutstanding work they had been delivering. Confidentially, the Minister said they came to the Council at a time when the world is battling with many, many, crisis: notably the Israel-Palestine war that had drawn the attention of every member, especially with the carriage that is going on in Gazza. The Minister said they had also dealt with the Russian-Ukraine conflicts, and amongst many of other conflicts in the world.
“We have also been making significant contributions in dealing other conflicts in the world including the notorious conflict in Sudan, which caused the displacement of over 10,000,000 residents in the county. We have also dealt with the West African situation where we see an uptake in the unconstitutional take-over of powers in West Africa. So Sierra Leone in the council had dealt with all of these critical issues, and in dealing with these critical issues, we have taken positions of reasons that are based on principles. Sierra Leone had been known as a country of peace and a country that make decisions at the international and national stage based on the principles we believe in – fairness and justice for all,” Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Kabba detailed.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech on another special segment of the country’s Presidency that has to do with the aspect of women, youth, peace and security. In her statement, the Deputy Minister briefed that when they were going for the UN Security Council, they had certain crucial elements they prioritized to promote which were women, peace and security.
“Basically we have four pillars. They said in any conflict situation when looking at women, peace and security, we have to look at women’s participation in security issues. We have to look at who will be leaders, who will be part of the discussions and all must have the inclusion of women in those process. The security aspect also says we have to protect women in terms of conflicts; the architecture of any United Nation peacekeeping has to look at the protection of women. The pillar also talks about the prevention of atrocities and violence against women during conflicts, relieve and recovery of women during in terms of conflicts. These are what the country promised to promote at the council.
The Deputy Minister furthered that the first activity they have to embark on as part of the country’s Presidency at the council is to hold a debate on women, peace and security. She assured that they would be focusing particularly on West Africa and other countries which because of their finances and other issues had scaled down their peacekeeping operations. She strongly assured that they would be bringing up those situations to Members State at the UN Security Council to see how best they could support those countries to maintain the four pillars, the UNSC had been trying to promote when it comes to women, peace and security.
“So we shall be having that debate on the 2nd of August which is today at the UN Security Council. And we shall be asking Members State for example, to tell us how they would supporting women’s leadership, including the full meaning and participation in political and peacebuilding as Sierra Leone remains a shining example. We have passed the Gender Empowerment and Women’s Equality Act in 2022, as that had significantly increased women’s participation as a result of that. We shall also be asking them to throw light on the measures they would be considering to prevent sexual and gender based violence which President Bio declared an emergency on. We shall also be asking them to bring out recommendations that would continue to support women, peace and security agenda of the United Nations,” Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister digressed.
As Sierra Leone ascended to the position of Presidency for the month of August, chairing the affairs of the council, other crucial actives which the country would be embarking on were also detailed. Activities such as reforming the Security Council for Africa to have more representation at the permanent and non-permanent seats at the Security Council to create a balance would also be advanced. The historic one month period stewarded by Sierra Leone would be followed by other crucial activities and decisions making which Africa as a continent would be proud of. The support of other Members State at the United Nation Security Council is highly solicited.