Joint Communiqué
on the occasion of the official visit of His Excellency Julius Maada BIO,
President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, to the People’s Democratic
Republic of Algeria
In response to the invitation of His Excellency Mr Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency M. Julius Maada BIO, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, paid an official visit to Algeria, from 2 to 4 January 2024.
This visit allowed both Heads of State to exchange views on a wide range of subjects of common interest, within the spirit of consultation and cooperation and shared political will to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity existing between the peoples of Algeria ,and Sierra Leone
During this visit, H.E.Mr Julius Maada BIO held a series of talks with H.E.M. Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE. Besides, he led wreath at the Martyrs’ sanctuary and visited the Museum of Algeria National resistance to the colonial rule.
During the talks, which took place in an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding, both Presidents availed themselves of this opportunity to inform each other about political situation in their respective countries, especially with regard to projects of reform and development programs, initiated by the two countries in order to meet the legitimate expectations and needs of their peoples.
They reviewed the state of cooperation between their two brotherly countries in various political, diplomatic, security, military, economic, social and cultural fields and discussed ways and means of further strengthening them in the interest of the two brotherly peoples. They also, dealt with African and international issues.
Regarding the general situation in Sierra Leone, President BIO presented the evolution of the socio-political and security situation in the country which is characterized by the improvement of socio-economic stability, especially through the implementation of the National Medium Term Development Plan (NMTDP2019-2023).
President BIO expressed his deep appreciation for the contribution of Algeria, in coordinating with the Togolese Presidency of the ECOWAS, for the restoration of peace and the consolidation of the national reconciliation in Sierra Leone, following the painful internal crisis in the country, between March 1991 and January 2002.
With regard to bilateral issues, both Heads of State, after reviewing the state of bilateral relations, reaffirmed their willingness to make every effort to further strengthen the cooperation between Algeria and Sierra Leone and diversify it to take advantage of the existing potentialities and opportunities in both countries.
At the economic level, the two Heads of State agreed on the significance of deepening economic and trade relations, exchange of expertise, skills development and exploitation of opportunities offered by the economies of both countries in various sectors of common interest.
In the area of military and security cooperation, both Presidents expressed their willingness to consolidate it in order to meet common security challenges and address multifaceted threats to regional security.
While expressing satisfaction at the perspective of signing Agreements and bilateral cooperation Memoranda, the two Heads of State instructed their Ministers in charge of Foreign Affairs to start, as soon as possible, preparations for the reactivation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the Joint Commission and political consultations processes.
At the regional, continental and international levels, the two heads of State welcomed the convergence of positions and analysis of both countries on key regional and international issues of common interest, while reaffirming their support to the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
Both Presidents agreed to reinforce dialogue and coordination between the two countries, especially within the UN Security Council and the African Union, within the framework of the A3 (Algeria, Sierra Leon and Mozambique), in order to defend the interests of Africa and its common positions.
Concerning the preservation of peace and stability at regional level, President BIO commended the effectiveness of the diplomatic actions, initiated and implemented by President Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE in favour of peace, security, stability and development at regional and continental levels.
He particularly welcomed the efforts of President Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE in seeking African political solutions to crisis in the Sahel region and the total rejection of foreign and extra-continental interventions, including military ones.
The two Presidents reaffirmed their commitment in working together to promote peace, security and stability in the Sahel region, with President Bio as one of the two ECOWAS region representatives, along with the Togolese Republic President, to engage the CNSP, on behalf of ECOWAS.
The two Heads of State also reiterated their call for a peaceful transition in the African countries experiencing constitutional crisis. Furthermore, they called all parties to take more concerted actions among member States of various African regional organizations to achieve a convergence of action in order to reach a positive and constructive outcome for ongoing democratic processes in these countries.
In this context, President Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE reiterated his engagement to work for peace, security and good governance in Africa, during his future mandate as President of the Forum of Heads of State of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) of the African Union, as of February 2024.
Addressing the central role of the African Union at the continental level, both Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to the objectives of the African Union and to combine their efforts for the promotion of peace, security, stability and development in the continent, as set out in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. They reiterated their full support for the efforts of the continental Organization in seeking African solutions to African problems.
Considering the situation in the Continent, Presidents Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE and Julius Maada BIO welcomed the progress made in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aiming at integrating African markets and effectively contributing in the economic transformation of Africa.
While welcoming the role of the African Union in the settlement of conflicts in Africa, they expressed their concern regarding the persistence of hotbeds of tension and conflicts in some regions of the continent, which negatively impact the process of development and economic integration.
Both Heads of State reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They agreed to further combine their efforts in their regions in order to eradicate this scourge and its connections, including radicalization and violent extremism, transnational organized crime, drug smuggling and human trafficking networks which continue to undermine efforts of stability and development of African countries. They stressed the need for close and regular collaboration among the concerned countries.
Regarding the issue of Western Sahara, both Heads of State stressed the need of the parties to the conflict to resume negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary Council, in order to reach a just and lasting political solution which results in the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union. They reaffirmed their support to the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy aimed at reaching a just and lasting political settlement for this conflict.
Moreover, the two Presidents reaffirmed their firm support of the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and to a just and lasting solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ensuring the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent State on the basis of 1967 borders, with El-Qods as capital, as part of the two States solution. Within this framework, they emphasized that the settlement of the Palestinian question remains the cornerstone of lasting peace and security in the Middle East.
At multilateral level, President Tebboune commended the efforts of President Bio as the Chair of the African Union Committee of Heads of State and Government on the reform of the United Nations Security Council (C10). Both Presidents reiterated their commitment to the Ezulwini Consensus and the Syrte Declaration for a larger and active participation of African countries in the processes of decision making in this Organization.
Both Heads of State welcomed the quality of their talks, as well as the positive results achieved during this official visit, which demonstrates the joint strong commitment to further strengthen the existing ties of cooperation, in order to diversify and consolidate them.
As part of their shared commitment to further strengthen the relations of brotherhood, solidarity and cooperation between Algeria and Sierra Leone, the two Presidents instructed the Ministers in charge of Foreign Affairs to prepare for the opening of Embassies in Freetown and Algiers, in the nearest future.
His Excellency Mr Julius Maada BIO, expressed his deep gratitude to His Excellency Mr Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE, the Government and the Algerian people for the warm and fraternal welcome extended to him and for the excellent facilities offered to him and delegation during their stay in Algeria.
His Excellency Mr Julius Maada BIO extended an invitation to His Excellency Mr Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE to carry out a State visit in Sierra Leone, as soon as possible, at a date to be mutually agreed, through the diplomatic channel.
Done in Algiers, on 3 January 2024, in the Arabic and English languages, both versions being equally authentic.
For the Government of the For the Government of the
People’s Democratic Republic of Republic of Sierra Leone
Algeria
Ahmed ATTAF Musa Timothy KABBA
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs and
National Community Abroad International Cooperation
