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Kamalesh Sharma will hold talks with President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone in the country's capital, Freetown (pictured above).

Secretary-General to visit Sierra Leone

3 February 2010

'Commonwealth continues to walk with Sierra Leone on its journey to consolidate and deepen democracy' - Sharma

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, will visit Sierra Leone from 7 to 9 February 2010 to hold talks with President Ernest Bai Koroma and other senior figures.

The visit to the country, the first by Mr Sharma since becoming Secretary-General, will be an opportunity to brief President Koroma on implementation of the priorities set by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their recent meeting in Trinidad and Tobago in November 2009, and discuss ways to strengthen the Commonwealth’s overall relationship with Sierra Leone including development assistance and democracy-strengthening programmes.

Media enquiries

Please contact Julius Mucunguzi, Communications Officer on: +44 (0) 207 747 6382 or e-mail: j.mucunguzi@commonwealth.int

While in the country, it is envisaged that the Secretary-General will also meet the Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs, Gender and Youth Affairs, as well as the Speaker of Parliament and the Leader of Opposition. Mr Sharma is also scheduled to speak to students and faculty members at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, which has a partnership with the Commonwealth Youth Programme to provide a Commonwealth youth development diploma.

Speaking ahead of the trip, Mr Sharma said that the Commonwealth has had a long standing engagement with Sierra Leone as active participants in the peace-making process, and subsequently as partners in post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation.

“Sierra Leone is a valued member of the Commonwealth family. The Commonwealth continues to walk with Sierra Leone on its journey to consolidate and deepen democracy and to achieve sustainable development and economic growth,” said the Secretary-General.

Note to Editors

The Commonwealth Secretariat has worked over the years with the Government of Sierra Leone, political parties and civil society to encourage greater participation by women in the peace and reconciliation process. The Secretariat has also helped to strengthen the institutional capacity of the election commission, police force, diplomatic corps and youth sectors. Assistance is currently being provided in improving debt management and recording, establishment of the Stock Exchange, maritime boundary delimitation, trade capacity building and customs modernisation.

1. Feb 5 2010 11:15AM, Kamal wrote:

Commonwealth always 'walked the talk' and I am sure SG's visit to Sierra Leone would bring positive change in strengthening the democratic pillars there and would be fruitful.

2. Feb 4 2010 8:20PM, Ahsan Yousaf Chaudhary wrote:

"It is indeed a great benchmark by the Secretary General of the Common wealth to visit sierra leone and encourage strengthening the Democracy.I appericiate the stringent efforts of the Common wealth, to extend its support to less empowered faction s of society in the developing countries like Sierra Leone

3. Feb 4 2010 7:39PM, John Frankland wrote:

I voted incorrectly. I indicated bad when I meant to indicate good. Sorry about that - please accept my apologies. I think it is great that the Commonwealth is trying to help Sierra Leone.