Sierra Leoneportal |
Sierra Leone maintains formal relations with many Western nations. [1] It also maintains diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Bloc countries as well as with the People's Republic of China.
The government maintains 16 embassies and high commissions around the world. [2]
Former President Stevens' government had sought closer relations with West African countries under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). [3] The present government is continuing this effort.
Sierra Leone is a member of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, the Commonwealth, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Development Bank (AFDB), the Mano River Union (MRU), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Sierra Leone is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
Sierra Leone is a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations.
List of countries which Sierra Leone maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Canada | 27 April 1961 [4] |
2 | Egypt | 27 April 1961 [5] |
3 | France | 27 April 1961 [6] |
4 | Ghana | 27 April 1961 [7] |
5 | Israel | 27 April 1961 [8] |
6 | Japan | 27 April 1961 [9] |
7 | Lebanon | 27 April 1961 [10] |
8 | Nigeria | 27 April 1961 [11] |
9 | United Kingdom | 27 April 1961 [12] |
10 | United States | 27 April 1961 [13] |
11 | India | 28 April 1961 [14] |
12 | Belgium | 12 July 1961 [15] |
13 | Germany | 5 September 1961 [16] |
14 | Guinea | 20 October 1961 [17] |
15 | Benin | 1961 [18] |
16 | Burkina Faso | 1961 [18] |
17 | Ivory Coast | 1961 [18] |
18 | Niger | 1961 [18] |
19 | Russia | 18 January 1962 [19] |
20 | Netherlands | 22 February 1962 [20] |
21 | Liberia | 8 June 1962 [21] |
22 | South Korea | 25 June 1962 [22] |
23 | Sudan | 19 August 1962 [23] |
24 | Bulgaria | 28 September 1962 [24] |
25 | Senegal | 26 October 1962 [25] |
26 | Poland | 10 November 1962 [26] |
27 | Italy | 1962 [27] |
28 | Mali | 1962 [28] |
29 | Sweden | 1962 [29] |
30 | Switzerland | 1962 [30] |
31 | Czech Republic | 3 January 1963 [31] |
32 | Serbia | 25 September 1963 [32] |
33 | Morocco | 14 November 1963 [33] |
34 | Pakistan | 1963 [34] |
35 | Romania | 15 January 1964 [35] |
36 | Spain | 6 March 1964 [36] |
37 | Syria | 29 November 1964 [37] |
38 | Madagascar | 5 November 1966 [38] |
39 | Gambia | 10 December 1966 [39] |
40 | Jamaica | 15 November 1967 [40] |
41 | Ethiopia | 26 March 1968 [41] |
42 | Lesotho | 22 October 1968 [42] |
43 | Hungary | 10 November 1969 [43] |
44 | Norway | 20 July 1970 [44] |
45 | Luxembourg | 13 October 1970 [45] |
46 | Turkey | 15 February 1971 [46] |
47 | Zambia | 19 February 1971 [47] |
48 | China | 29 July 1971 [48] |
49 | North Korea | 14 October 1971 [49] |
50 | Mauritania | 21 October 1971 [50] |
51 | Tanzania | 3 November 1971 [51] |
52 | Algeria | 7 April 1972 [52] |
53 | Cuba | 24 April 1972 [53] |
54 | Saudi Arabia | 1 July 1972 [54] |
55 | Denmark | 22 January 1973 [55] |
56 | Uganda | 10 September 1973 [56] |
57 | Brazil | 9 August 1974 [57] |
58 | Argentina | 6 September 1974 [58] |
59 | Guyana | 25 October 1974 [59] |
60 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 20 January 1975 [60] |
61 | Guinea-Bissau | 28 January 1975 [61] |
62 | Portugal | 18 February 1975 [62] |
63 | Austria | 1 March 1975 [63] |
64 | Trinidad and Tobago | 17 July 1975 [64] |
65 | Libya | 18 November 1975 [65] |
66 | Bangladesh | 22 January 1976 [66] |
67 | Mozambique | 12 March 1976 [67] |
68 | Mexico | 30 June 1976 [68] |
69 | Albania | 23 August 1976 [69] |
70 | Cameroon | 30 September 1976 [70] |
71 | Cape Verde | 8 January 1978 [71] |
72 | Vietnam | 24 June 1978 [72] |
73 | Kenya | 16 January 1979 [73] |
74 | Greece | 15 May 1979 [74] |
75 | Kuwait | 1980 [75] |
76 | Qatar | 1980 [76] |
77 | Australia | 2 December 1981 [77] |
78 | United Arab Emirates | 5 October 1982 [78] |
79 | Oman | 10 December 1982 [79] |
80 | Thailand | 24 December 1982 [80] |
81 | Iran | 12 March 1983 [81] |
82 | Equatorial Guinea | March 1983 [82] |
83 | Maldives | 14 June 1988 [83] |
84 | Colombia | 16 November 1988 [80] |
85 | Peru | 15 May 1989 [80] |
86 | Venezuela | 29 October 1990 [84] |
87 | Malaysia | 28 January 1991 [85] |
88 | Philippines | 3 April 1991 [86] |
89 | Indonesia | 15 November 1994 [87] |
90 | Azerbaijan | 13 March 1995 [88] |
91 | Brunei | 10 July 1995 [80] |
92 | Slovakia | 21 May 1996 [80] |
— | Holy See | 30 July 1996 [89] |
93 | Georgia | 7 April 1997 [90] |
94 | North Macedonia | 17 July 1998 [91] |
95 | South Africa | 21 August 1998 [92] |
96 | Ukraine | 20 May 1999 [93] |
97 | Ireland | 19 January 2000 [80] |
98 | Cyprus | 22 November 2000 [80] |
99 | Malta | 16 October 2001 [80] |
100 | Namibia | 18 September 2002 [94] |
101 | Croatia | 23 July 2003 [80] |
102 | Belarus | 27 September 2003 [80] |
103 | Armenia | 19 March 2004 [95] |
104 | Angola | 1 November 2004 [96] |
105 | Bahamas | 7 November 2006 [80] |
106 | Iceland | 13 November 2006 [80] |
107 | Finland | 17 June 2008 [80] |
108 | New Zealand | 5 March 2009 [97] |
109 | Uruguay | 22 September 2010 [80] |
110 | Cambodia | 7 October 2010 [80] |
111 | Estonia | 10 May 2011 [98] |
112 | Slovenia | 10 May 2011 [80] |
113 | Zimbabwe | 19 April 2012 [99] |
114 | Jordan | 3 December 2012 [100] |
115 | Singapore | 9 April 2013 [101] |
116 | Mongolia | 27 September 2013 [102] |
117 | Sri Lanka | 16 November 2013 [103] |
118 | Rwanda | 29 November 2013 [104] |
119 | Lithuania | 15 April 2014 [80] |
120 | Montenegro | 8 October 2014 [80] |
121 | Kazakhstan | 20 November 2014 [80] |
122 | Latvia | 12 December 2014 [80] |
123 | Fiji | 6 February 2015 [80] |
124 | Ecuador | 12 February 2015 [80] |
125 | Botswana | 16 February 2015 [105] |
126 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 24 November 2015 [80] |
— | Kosovo (suspended) | 24 November 2015 [106] |
127 | Burundi | 2 March 2016 [107] |
128 | Malawi | 8 March 2016 [108] |
129 | Kyrgyzstan | 1 November 2016 [80] |
— | State of Palestine | 6 December 2017 [109] |
130 | Turkmenistan | 15 June 2020 [110] |
131 | Nicaragua | 25 September 2020 [80] |
132 | Tajikistan | 2 October 2020 [80] |
133 | Grenada | 24 February 2021 [80] |
134 | Nepal | 29 June 2021 [80] |
135 | Belize | 23 September 2021 [80] |
136 | Bahrain | 8 June 2022 [80] |
137 | Moldova | 18 August 2022 [80] |
138 | Dominican Republic | 19 September 2022 [80] |
139 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 12 April 2023 [111] |
140 | Uzbekistan | 28 April 2023 [80] |
141 | El Salvador | 18 September 2023 [80] |
142 | Saint Lucia | 20 September 2023 [80] |
143 | Chad | Unknown |
144 | Eswatini | Unknown |
— | Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | Unknown [112] |
145 | South Sudan | Unknown [113] |
146 | Togo | Unknown |
147 | Tunisia | Unknown |
148 | Yemen | Unknown |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | 7 April 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 April 1972 when Mr Zitouni Messaudi, the first Algerian Ambassador, presented his credentials to President Stevens [52] |
Angola | 1 November 2004 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 2004 when Ambassador of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Mohammed Bayoh, presented his credentials to Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos. [96] |
Bangladesh | 22 January 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 January 1976 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sierra Leone Mr. M. Anwarul Haq. [66] |
Belgium | 12 July 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1961 when M. G. Walravens was appointed as first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Sierra Leone ( with residence in Abidjan) [15] |
Burundi | 2 March 2016 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 March 2016 when Ambassador of Sierra Leone (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Osman Keh Kamara presented his credentials to President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza. [107] |
Canada | 27 April 1961 | See Canada–Sierra Leone relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 |
China | 29 July 1971 | See China–Sierra Leone relations China and Sierra Leone established diplomatic relations on July 29, 1971. [48] |
Denmark | 22 January 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 January 1973 when has been accredited Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Denmark (resident in London) Mr. Jacob Arthur Christian Davies. [55] |
Guinea | 20 October 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 October 1961 when Mr. Abdoul Karim , Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Guinea presented his credentials to President Sekou Toure. [17] |
Guinea-Bissau | 28 January 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 January 1975 when has been accredited Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau to Sierra Leone Mr. Alexander Nunes Correia. [61] |
India | 28 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 April 1961 [14] |
Indonesia | 15 November 1994 | |
Israel | 27 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations with the independence of Sierra Leone on 27 April 1961, the Israel consulate in Freetown became an embassy. [8] Sierra Leone broken diplomatic relations with Israel on 27 October 1973. [117] Diplomatic relations were re-established on 27 May 1992 [118] |
Kenya | 16 January 1979 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 January 1979 [119] |
Lebanon | 27 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 when Sierra Leone attained independence the Lebanese Ambassador to Liberia was also appointed Ambassador to Sierra Leone. The consulate was changed into an Embassy and Mr. Hazou became Charge d'Affaires. [10] |
Lesotho | 22 October 1968 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 October 1968 when first High Commissioner of Lesotho to Sierra Leone Mr. C. D. Molapo has presented his credentials to Governor General Mr. Justice Banja Tejan-Sie [42] |
Liberia | 8 June 1962 | See Liberia–Sierra Leone relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 June 1962 when has been appointed first ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone Mr. Henry B. Fahnbulleh. [21]
|
Madagascar | 5 November 1966 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 November 1966 when Dr. Rakoto-Ratsimamanga, the first Malagasy Ambassador to Sierra Leone with residence in Paris, presented his credentials. [38] |
Mauritania | 21 October 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 1971 when first Ambassador of Mauritania to Sierra Leone, Mr. Dey Ould Brahim, has presented his credentials to President Stevens [50] |
Mexico | 30 June 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1976 [68] |
Namibia | 18 September 2002 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 September 2002 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Namibia (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Melvin Humpah Chalobah. [94] |
Nigeria | 27 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 when was appointed first Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Mr A.B. Oyediran [11] |
Spain | 6 March 1964 | See Sierra Leone–Spain relations |
Tanzania | 3 November 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 November 1971 when Tanzania's High Commissioner to Sierra Leone , Mr. Frederick Rutakyanirwa , presented his credentials to President Stevens. [51] |
Trinidad and Tobago | 17 July 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 July 1975 when accredited first High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Sierra Leone (resident in Lagos) Mr. J.S.Donaldson [64] |
Turkey | 15 February 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1971 [46] |
Uganda | 10 September 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 September 1973 when Brigadier Shaban Opolot, Uganda's first ambassador to Sierra Leone, has presented his credentials to President Stevens. [56] |
United Kingdom | 27 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 when accredited first High Commissioner of United Kingdom to Sierra Leone Mr. John Baines Johnston [12] |
United States | 27 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 [13] See Sierra Leone–United States relations U.S. relations with Sierra Leone began with missionary activities in the 19th century. In 1959, the U.S. opened a consulate in Freetown and elevated it to embassy status when Sierra Leone became independent in 1961. U.S.-Sierra Leone relations today are cordial, with ethnic ties between groups in the two countries receiving increasing historical interest. Many thousands of Sierra Leoneans reside in the United States. In fiscal year 2006, total U.S. bilateral aid to Sierra Leone in all categories were $29.538 million. U.S. assistance focused on the consolidation of peace, democracy and human rights, health education, particularly combating HIV/AIDS, and human resources development. Currently, the Principal U.S. Official in Sierra Leone is Chargé d'Affaires Glenn Fedzer [124] Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the U.S. is H. E. Bockari Kortu Stevens and the Sierra Leone embassy is located in Washington. [125] This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State. |
Zambia | 19 February 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 February 1971 when first High Commissioner of Zambia Mr. Siteke G. Mwale presented his credentials to the Governor General of Sierra Leone Sir Banja Tejan-Sie [47] |
Large UN peacekeeping presence ended civil war, however rebel gang fighting, ethnic rivalries, illegal diamond trading, corruption, and refugees spill over into neighboring states that are beset with their own civil disorders, refugees, and violence.
Botswana has put a premium on economic and political integration in southern Africa. It has sought to make the Southern African Development Community (SADC) a working vehicle for economic development, and it has promoted efforts to make the region self-policing in terms of preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution, and good governance.
Burundi's relations with its neighbours have often been affected by security concerns. During the Burundian Civil War, hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees have at various times crossed to neighboring Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some Burundian rebel groups have used neighboring countries as bases for insurgent activities. The 1993 embargo placed on Burundi by regional states hurt diplomatic relations with its neighbors; relations have improved since the 1999 suspension of these sanctions.
Cape Verde follows a policy of nonalignment and seeks cooperative relations with all friendly states. Angola, Brazil, the People's Republic of China, Cuba, France, Germany, Portugal, Senegal, Russia, South Korea and the United States maintain embassies in Praia.
Cyprus is a member of the United Nations along with most of its agencies as well as the Commonwealth of Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Council of Europe. In addition, the country has signed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Agreement (MIGA). Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and in the second half of 2012 it held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Foreign relations of Egypt are the Egyptian government's external relations with the outside world. Egypt's foreign policy operates along a non-aligned level. Factors such as population size, historical events, military strength, diplomatic expertise and a strategic geographical position give Egypt extensive political influence in the Africa, the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, and within the Non-Aligned Movement as a whole. Cairo has been a crossroads of the Mediterranean's, Africa's and Asia's commerce and culture for millenia, and its intellectual and religious institutions are at the center of the region's social and cultural landmarks.
The foreign relations of Ghana are controlled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana. Ghana is active in the United Nations and many of its specialised agencies, the World Trade Organization, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States. Ghana generally follows the consensus of the Non-aligned Movement and the OAU on economic and political issues not directly affecting its own interests. Ghana has been extremely active in international peacekeeping activities under UN auspices in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Rwanda, and the Balkans, in addition to an eight-year sub-regional initiative with its ECOWAS partners to develop and then enforce a cease-fire in Liberia. Ghana is also a member of the International Criminal Court.
The foreign relations of Guinea, including those with its West African neighbors, have improved steadily since 1985.
Since 1980, the foreign relations of Iraq have been influenced by a number of controversial decisions by the Saddam Hussein administration. Hussein had good relations with the Soviet Union and a number of western countries such as France and Germany, who provided him with advanced weapons systems. He also developed a tenuous relation with the United States, who supported him during the Iran–Iraq War. However, the Invasion of Kuwait that triggered the Gulf War brutally changed Iraq's relations with the Arab World and the West. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and others were among the countries that supported Kuwait in the UN coalition. After the Hussein administration was toppled by the 2003 U.S. invasion, the governments that succeeded it have now tried to establish relations with various nations.
Liberian foreign relations were traditionally stable and cordial throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries, with a significant relationship with the United States, sharing close relations until the 1970s.
Malawi's former President Bakili Muluzi continued the pro-Western foreign policy established by his predecessor, Hastings Banda. It maintains excellent diplomatic relations with principal Western countries. Malawi's close relations with South Africa throughout the apartheid era strained its relations with other African nations. Following the collapse of apartheid in 1994, Malawi developed, and currently maintains, strong diplomatic relations with all African countries.
Since independence, with Jaja Wachuku as the first Minister for Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, later called External Affairs, Nigerian foreign policy has been characterised by a focus on Africa as a regional power and by attachment to several fundamental principles: African unity and independence; capability to exercise hegemonic influence in the region: peaceful settlement of disputes; non-alignment and non-intentional interference in the internal affairs of other nations; and regional economic cooperation and development. In carrying out these principles, Nigeria participates in the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations.
Eswatini is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Southern African Development Community. Currently, the Kingdom of Eswatini maintains 11 embassies and High Commissions along with 15 consulates and other representations around the world, while there are five embassies and High Commissions in Eswatini as well as 14 consulates and other representations.
Tanzania's first president, Julius Nyerere also was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and, during the Cold War era, Tanzania played an important role in regional and international organisations, such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the front-line states, the G-77, and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). One of Africa's best-known elder statesmen, Nyerere was personally active in many of these organisations, and served chairman of the OAU (1984–85) and chairman of six front-line states concerned with eliminating apartheid in Southern Africa. Nyerere was also involved with peace negotiations in Burundi until his death. Nyerere's death, on 14 October 1999, is still commemorated annually.
Modern Trinidad and Tobago maintains close relations with its Caribbean neighbours and major North American and European trading partners. As the most industrialized and second-largest country in the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago has taken a leading role in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and strongly supports CARICOM economic integration efforts. It also is active in the Summit of the Americas process and supports the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, lobbying other nations for seating the Secretariat in Port of Spain.
Uganda has formal diplomatic relations with many countries, some accredited. Since the colonial era and after independence Uganda has grown to be one of the most important African countries. Uganda has diplomatic relations with many countries throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Uganda is a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations since 1962.
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau follows a nonaligned foreign policy and seeks friendly and cooperative relations with a wide variety of states and organizations. France, Portugal, Angola, Brazil, Egypt, Nigeria, Libya, Cuba, the Palestine Liberation Organization, Ghana, and Russia have diplomatic offices in Bissau.
The Bahamas has a strong bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom, represented by a High Commissioner in London. The Bahamas also associates closely with other nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The 1955 Austrian State Treaty ended the four-power occupation and recognized Austria as an independent and sovereign state. In October 1955, the Federal Assembly passed a constitutional law in which "Austria declares of her own free will her perpetual neutrality." The second section of this law stated that "in all future times Austria will not join any military alliances and will not permit the establishment of any foreign military bases on her territory." Since then, Austria has shaped its foreign policy on the basis of neutrality.
COFFI Pierre C. Ivoire Ambassadeur des Etats du Conseil de l'Entente au Libéria et en Sierra- Leone ( 1961-1969 ) ;
Sierra - Leone und die Republik Senegal haben diplomatische Beziehungen zueinander aufgenommen . Der erste Botschafter des Senegal in Sierra - Leone ist Dr. Amadou Lamine Sall ...
... The Ministry of External Affairs announces that the Government of Morocco and Sierra Leone have agreed to establish diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level .