ECOWAS Delegation Visits Sierra Leone After Sunday’s Attack

A high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Commission and the Nigerian government has visited Freetown, Sierra Leone, following a plot by some individuals to acquire arms and “disturb the peace and constitutional order in the country”.

According to a statement by the commission, the delegation met with President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone on Monday.

The visiting party comprised the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray; Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and Chief of Defence Military Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Udiandeye.

The group conveyed a message of solidarity from President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

See the full statement below:

ECOWAS Sends High-Level Delegation to Sierra Leone following the Disturbance in the Country

A High-level delegation from ECOWAS Commission and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has visited Freetown, Sierra Leone following a plot by certain individuals to acquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order in the country.

The delegation which met with President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone on November 27, 2023, comprised the President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa and Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Military Intelligence Major General Emmanuel Udiandeye.

The group conveyed a message of solidarity from the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The envoys reiterated the Commitment of ECOWAS towards preserving democracy and good governance across the sub-region while assuring President Bio of their readiness to support the Government and people of Sierra Leone to deepen democracy and good governance, consolidate peace and security as well as foster socio-economic development.

Receiving the delegation, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio expressed his apprecia-tion for the outpouring of support from key allies across the region and the world.

He emphasized his government’s unwavering commitment to democracy and justice as well as the well-being and safety of its citizens.

President Bio further stated that Sierra Leone’s leadership position in key institutions across the globe will be preserved and the government shall continue to work towards preserving and promoting the priceless peace enjoyed as a country since the end of its unfortunate decade-long civil war 21 years ago.