By: Aminata Sesay
As part of efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s diplomatic and development agenda, Ambassador Mohammed S. Barrie on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, held strategic discussions with Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) in Riyadh.
The high-level meeting focused on expanding humanitarian collaboration and investment opportunities between Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ambassador Barrie, representing the vision of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, conveyed warm greetings and appreciation for KSRelief’s ongoing support to Sierra Leone particularly in health, education, and nutrition sectors.
At the center of the discussions was the presentation of key national priorities under President Bio’s “Big Five Game changers” agenda: Feed Salone Initiative, human capital development, youth empowerment, reform of public service structures, sustainable economic growth driven by technology and infrastructure.
The Ambassador emphasized Sierra Leone’s untapped investment potential, highlighting the country’s peaceful environment, vast arable land, and abundant natural resources, including crude oil, as incentives for Saudi investors.
KSRelief’s potential collaboration on the proposed 600-bed hospital under the Fatima Maada Bio Foundation at the 34 Military Hospital in Freetown.
Dr. Al Rabeeah welcomed the proposals and advised Ambassador Barrie to submit a formal list of national priorities within two weeks through Engineer Ahmed A. Al Baiz, Assistant Supervisor General of Operations and Programs, for further review and potential implementation.
Ambassador Barrie also advocated for the expansion of the Royal Hajj Scholarship Program, proposing an increase in the allocation from 100 to 500 slots for Sierra Leonean pilgrims for the upcoming 1447/2026 Hajj season.
He expressed profound gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Government of Saudi Arabia for their continued support and generosity toward the people of Sierra Leone.
This visit marks a renewed commitment by Sierra Leone to deepen humanitarian cooperation and leverage diplomatic platforms for socio-economic advancement. The engagement with KSRelief aligns with broader goals to strengthen strategic partnerships and attract global investment aligned with the country’s development vision.