ABOUT US

FOREIGN POLICY

The general objectives that guide the activities and relationships of one state in the interaction with another state

Sierra Leone’s Foreign Policy Objectives are:

1. The promotion and protection of the national interest;

2. The promotion and protection of the national interest;

3. The promotion of international cooperation for the consolidation of international peace and security and mutual respect among all nations and respect among all nations and respect for their territorial integrity and independence, and

4. Respect for international law and treaty obligations, as well ad the seeking of settlement of international disputes by negotiation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudications;

5. Peaceful settlement of international disputes and conflicts. Having gone thorough a ten year civil war, it has dawned on Sierra Leone That war does not solve any major issue, and therefore, all problems, however difficult and intricate, should be approached peacefully.

The building of bridges of friendship and cooperation with countries regardless of their economic or political system.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Ministry of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation is to develop policies and programmes to govern relations with Foreign Countries and International Organisations geared towards protecting the strategic national interests of Sierra Leone.

Briefly therefore, the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is to promote and safe guard the national interest of the Republic of Sierra Leone, its security and prosperity and together with its sub-regional and international partners, contribute to a peaceful and functioning World Community.

STRUCTURE OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is the political leader of the Ministry and his/her executive function is to implement the foreign policy of the Government and manage its International relations. He/she accomplishes this task with the help of the permanent staff of the Ministry and the Heads of Missions abroad, and through the intermediary of the Heads of Foreign Missions accredited to Sierra Leone.

The overall administrative Head of the Ministry is the Director-General. He is ably assisted by a Deputy Director-General. The Ministry has recently been divided, into the following departments: International, Legal and Research Division, Fellowship and Training Division,, Protocol Division, Administration and Finance Division, Europe Division, Africa Division, Middle East and Asia Division, America, Caribbean and South Pacific Division. In the past the Ministry’s departments were organized around themes such as Economic and Technical Cooperation, International relations, etc. All these divisions are headed by administrative officers of Permanent Secretary or Deputy Secretary Rank.

RELATIONS WITH THE MINISTRY’S OVERSEAS MISSIONS

Currently, there are Sixteen Embassies/High Commissions in Africa, Europe, Asia and America. These Missions are headed by Ambassadors/High Commissioners appointed by the President and assisted by competent Foreign Service Officers. The primary responsibility of a Head of Mission is to carry out the instructions of the Head of State and the Ministry and to give regular updates and feedbacks. He/she is also expected to initiate economic and political contacts beneficial to the State.

RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN MISSIONS

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the channel through which all representations should be made to the Government by another state, its diplomatic representatives or an International Organisation. In short, all Missions, resident or otherwise, should address all matters through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

MULTILATERAL COOPERATION