Sierra Leone Embassy Hosts African Ambassadors in Virtual Conference.

The Sierra Leone Embassy in Russia on Wednesday 28/10/20 hosted African Ambassadors based in Russia in a virtual conference.

The Sierra Leone Ambassador, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Mohamed Yongawo, who chaired the Conference, opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. This was followed by silent prayers.

Over 31 African Ambassadors and Diplomatic Representatives attended the webinar meeting.

In his opening remarks, H.E Yongawo summarised events around the African Continent: the COVID-19 pandemic, the conduct of recent elections and the 'End SARS' incident in Nigeria.

Ambassador Yongawo thanked his colleagues for attending the meeting which he described as the new normal: adding that as the internet is taking over the world, it was important to use the webinar platform to discuss pertinent issues affecting the peace and development of Africa and Africans.

“The world was predicting that the COVID-19 pandemic was going to destroy our people and that Africans were going to die like chickens; but fortunately that has not happened and by God's grace it would not happen”, HE Yongawo noted.

Ambassador Yongawo applauded the actions taken by our governments in minimising the impact of COVID-19 on our people.

The above notwithstanding, Ambassador Yongawo cautioned that COVID-19 is real and that we should continue imploring Africans to continue following rules and regulations laid down by respective governments in line with the World Health Organisation.

Welcoming Ambassadors to the meeting, the Dean of African Ambassadors, Ambassador Mahamat Paba Sale of Cameroon appreciated the Sierra Leone Embassy in Russia and particularly Ambassador Yongawo for the good work he is doing including the extraordinary effort to host African Ambassadors in Russia on Webinar for the first time and wished H.E. Yongawo and Sierra Leone well.

The Ambassador of Ghana, Lesley Akyaa Opoku, introduced two Russian guests during the meeting; Madam Marina, International Director of Museum and Culture and Madam Anna the Foreign Director of African Centre for Arts and Culture who are working in developing a concept of African and Russian Culture and Heritage, bringing African Arts to Russian Museums. The primary goal is to enable citizens of the Russian Federation to learn more about the richness and the diversity of the African Culture.

On the suggestion of the Rwandan Ambassador H.E Lt. Gen. Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, the meeting unanimously agreed that the visitors furnish all Personnel of the African Embassies in Russia with details of their proposals so that these will be reviewed to make informed decisions.

With regards to the elections in Guinea, Ambassador Mohamed Keita explained that like most events the recent elections in Guinea were not devoid of incidents but that overall it was free and fair as acknowledged by some international observers. Above all, he added that the Guinean people voted His Excellency Alpha Conde as President to continue his progressive agenda and the transformation of the lives of citizens.

The Chairman, Ambassador Yongawo sent a congratulatory message to H.E Alpha Conde’ on behalf of his colleagues.

Nigeria’s Charge d' Affairs, Mercy Hanura, reported on the ‘End SARS’ demonstration in the West African nation: “The Nigerian government has thought about measures to prevent violence and respect for human rights and the laws of the country”

“The Federal Government assures all friendly countries and the International Community that SARS, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, has been banned from the Nigerian Police Force”

“The Federal government shall intensify the fight against corruption and maintain peace and stability at all times and further protect the lives and property of its citizens”, H.E Hanura added.

In response Ambassador Yongawo on behalf of his colleagues implored the peaceful resolution of the situation in Nigeria.

Dean Mahamat Paba Sale of Cameroon explained the current situation in his country which he described as unfortunate adding that the government is doing all it can to restore normalcy.

In response, H.E Yongawo stated: “We stand with the people of Cameroon and pray for peace in the English Speaking Region and the whole country. As a United family, if our continent is peaceful, we’ll always have a lot to celebrate and our people will be happy” he ended.

On the post-Sochi developments and exchange of information in the Russian Federation, the Ambassadors recommended that the Dean engage the Russian Foreign Ministry for further details.

The meeting also recommended that invitation be extended to Senior Representatives from the Health Ministry to attend the next meeting so that they can update all of them on the development of the Coronavirus Vaccine and other relevant health matters.

The Ambassador of Tanzania advised the meeting of the peaceful nature of the election in his country, which coincidentally was happening on the same day as the meeting.

The Ambassador of South Sudan informed of the devastating impact of the floods on Agriculture and human settlements. He also informed of the progress in peace talks in the country.

On behalf of his colleagues, Ambassador Yonyawo registered the sympathy of the gathering with the South Sudanese people. He also commended the efforts of the Government in Juba and all other actors in ensuring peace reigns in South Sudan.

The Ambassador of Zimbabwe pleaded with his colleagues to support the end of the economic sanctions on his country, which he described as damaging to the fabric of their society.

The chairman Ambassador Yongawo advised this matter is to be discussed further with the Dean of African Ambassadors.

The Chairman, Ambassador Yongawo made the following announcements:

That the Ambassadors of Ghana, Chad and Mozambique have ended their tour duty and therefore have been recalled.

Ambassador Yongawo commended his recalled colleagues for representing their countries and Africa in an exemplary manner and he wished them the best in their future undertakings.

All the Ambassadors commended Ambassador Yongawo for his leadership in convening and hosting a very successful meeting. The meeting was then adjourned to a later date.

By: Festus J Lahai

Information Attache'

Moscow, Russia.