Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sign Cooperation Agreement

By  Abubakarr S. Bah Information Attaché, Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are set to sign a cooperation agreement that would strengthen stronger bilateral relations between the two countries.

The agreement between the two countries would promote cooperation between the two nations in the areas of trade, investment, education, science, culture, tourism sports and the economy, among others.

On Tuesday, His Excellency, Dr Ibrahim Jalloh, Ambassador Extra-ordinary and Plenipotentiary paid an official visit to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held a fruitful discussion with Ambassador Hassan Al-Rashid, Director of Africa. Ambassador Jalloh was accompanied by the Minister Plenipotentiary, Mr Ibrahim V. Kondo and the First Secretary, Mohamed Sulaiman Sankoh.

Humpback Black Whale found yesterday on the shores of Lumley Beach

The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale. It is one of the larger rorqual species, with adults ranging in length from 12–16 m (39–52 ft) and weighing around 25–30 t (28–33 short tons). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers.

Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 km (16,000 mi) each year. They feed in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed and give birth, fasting and living off their fat reserves.

Whales roam throughout all of the world's oceans, communicating with complex and mysterious sounds. Their sheer size amazes us: the blue whale can reach lengths of more than 100 feet and weigh up to 200 tons—as much as 33 elephants.

President Bio Delivers on Promise to Leone Stars, Assures of His Continued Support

By State House Media and Communications Unit

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has handed over a cheque for Le 4.1 billion to the chairman of the National Sports Council and presented a conveyance to each of the 41 players and officials of the Leone Stars team.

The President said this at a dinner in honour of the players, hosted by the First Lady Madam Fatima Maada Bio at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown. 

In her welcome statement, the First Lady congratulated the players and officials of the team and thanked them for making the country proud, adding that football should not be political because the country also needed sport to maintain a happy nation.

She furthered congratulated President Bio on the win and thanked him for his support to the team while also urging him to continue to give more support to the team ahead of the AFCON games in Cameroon slated for early 2022.

Speaking on behalf of his teammates, Kei Kamara who scored the qualifying goal expressed gratitude to the President and First Lady for hosting a presidential dinner in their honour.

UN Approves Support to NEC for Local Council, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections

By Mohamed Massaquoi

Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and United Nations Focal Point for Electoral Assistance Matters has communicated the consent of the United Nations (UN) to provide technical and other assistance as requested by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Sierra Leone for the forthcoming Local Council, Parliamentary and Presidential elections. 

USG Rosemary DiCarlo said the UN is pleased to inform the Government of Sierra Leone of its readiness to provide technical assistance to NEC for the said elections.

“I wish to inform you that I have approved the recommendations of the electoral needs assessment led by the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs”.

ECOWAS Extraordinary Session on the Situation in Mali:

President Bio calls for more Consultations and Communications

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio over the weekend attended the ECOWAS Extraordinary Session on the political situation in Mali convened by the Chairman, Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana.

In his welcome address, President Akufo-Addo expressed his appreciation to his colleagues for answering the clarion call to attend to urgent matters of peace and stability affecting the region.

"Your commitment and our collective determination have been the hallmark of our enviable success as a regional organisation. I salute your steadfastness and determination. The current political impasse in Mali has again raised anxiety and shaken the hope of successful transition and political stability of the country," he said.