UN Resident Coordinator bids farewell to EU, Ireland, UK & World Bank envoys to Sierra Leone.

UN Resident Coordinator (RC), Mr Babatunde Ahonsi, has paid tribute to the outstanding work of the outgoing Ambassadors of Ireland and the European Union, the British High Commissioner, and the World Bank Country Manager at the end of their tours of duty to Sierra Leone.

Speaking at a farewell reception held in their honour by the UN Country Team at the Country Lodge in Freetown recently, the RC described Ambassador Tom Vens of the European Union, the British High Commissioner, Simon Mustard, Irish Ambassador Leslie Ni Bhriain and World Bank Country Manager Gayle Martin as important and supportive partners of the UN in Sierra Leone.

Mr Ahonsi said the farewell reception was organised to celebrate what they had achieved during their tour of duty and to wish them well in the next chapter of their careers.

With the world facing many global challenges, including the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, threats to peace and security, and the widening digital divide, "there is a need for a strong UN-backed by global solidarity and international cooperation to champion the implementation of the required global solutions," said the RC.

On behalf of the UN Country Team, the RC thanked the departing development partners for walking the talk on the core values of the UN, including leaving no one behind. He also said that each of the envoys had left him with pleasant memories, commending Ambassador Vens for always being clear in his messaging on key development and governance issues in Sierra Leone. He described High Commissioner Mustard as a consummate networker and bridge builder for peace and development in Sierra Leone. Of Ambassador Bhriain, the RC said, she will be fondly remembered for being gentle but firm in expressing strong convictions around issues of gender equality and women's empowerment.  Finally, the RC thanked Gayle Martin of the World Bank for always bringing strong financial and economic perspectives to policy engagements with the government and other stakeholders.

In her farewell statement, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Musu J. Ruhle of the Republic of Liberia, said that the departing officials have distinguished themselves in their respective offices and created profound relationships, not only in the discharge of their official duties but also in their personal dispositions. She wished them success on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps of Sierra Leone in their future endeavours.

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam Mamadi Gobeh-Kamara, on behalf of the Ministry, expressed her sincerest consideration and profound appreciation for the work that the departing development partners have undertaken in their various capacities, "reflecting the true nature of our bilateral relationship, but more so, our friendship burnished by a desire to enlarge our mode of cooperation for a win-win outcome”.

Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education spoke about the relationship he enjoyed with the envoys and for the progress achieved in his ministry with the support of each of the diplomats. Like the Honourable Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Austin Demby, Dr Francis Kai-Kai, Minister of Planning and Economic Development thanked them for being supportive partners in the country's efforts to achieve its development aspirations.

In response, each of the departing envoys spoke highly about the cooperation that they got during their tours of duty and for the mutually rewarding relationships they built. They thanked everyone who supported them during their time in the country and wished Sierra Leone and its people very well going forward.