Foreign relations of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone maintains formal relations with many Western nations.[1] It also maintains diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Bloc countries as well as with the People's Republic of China.

The government maintains 16 embassies and high commissions across the world.[2]

Multilateral membership

Former President Stevens' government had sought closer relations with West African countries under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).[3] The present government is continuing this effort.

Sierra Leone is a member of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, the Commonwealth, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Development Bank (AFDB), the Mano River Union (MRU), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Sierra Leone is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).

Sierra Leone is a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Bilateral relations

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	22 March 2004	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 March 2004.
Brazil	1974	Brazil and Sierra Leone established diplomatic relations in 1974. Brazil opened an Embassy in Freetown in 2012.[4]
Canada	1961	See Canada–Sierra Leone relations Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961.
China	29 July 1971	See China–Sierra Leone relations China and Sierra Leone established diplomatic relations on July 29, 1971.[5]
Croatia	23 July 2003	Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 23, 2003.[6][7]
Cyprus	22 November 2000	Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 22, 2000.[8]
Georgia	7 April 1997	Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 7, 1997.
Guyana	25 October 1974	Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 25, 1974.[9]
Japan	27 April 1961	Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 27, 1961.[10]
Latvia	12 December 2014	Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 12, 2014.[11][12]
Lithuania	15 April 2014	Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 15, 2014.[13]
Maldives	14 June 1988	Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 14, 1988.[14]
Malta	16 October 2001	Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 16, 2001.[15]
Mexico	1976	Mexico is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Accra, Ghana.[16] Sierra Leone does not have an accreditation to Mexico.
Montenegro	8 September 2014	Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 8, 2014.[17]
Serbia	1961	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961.[18]
Singapore	9 April 2013	Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 9, 2013.[19]
South Africa	August 1998	Both countries established diplomatic relations in August 1998.[20]
South Korea	25 June 1962	Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Sierra Leone was on June 25, 1962.[21]
Turkey		The Turkish embassy in Accra is accredited to Sierra Leone. There is also an honorary consulate of Turkey in Freetown. The embassy of Sierra Leone in Abu Dhabi is accredited to Turkey. Sierra Leone has an honorary consulate in Ankara.[22]
United States		See Sierra Leone–United States relations Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. U.S. relations with Sierra Leone began with missionary activities in the 19th century. In 1959, the U.S. opened a consulate in Freetown and elevated it to embassy status when Sierra Leone became independent in 1961. U.S.-Sierra Leone relations today are cordial, with ethnic ties between groups in the two countries receiving increasing historical interest. Many thousands of Sierra Leoneans reside in the United States. In fiscal year 2006, total U.S. bilateral aid to Sierra Leone in all categories were $29.538 million. U.S. assistance focused on the consolidation of peace, democracy and human rights, health education, particularly combating HIV/AIDS, and human resources development. Currently, the Principal U.S. Official in Sierra Leone is Chargé d'Affaires Glenn Fedzer [23] Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the U.S. is H. E. Bockari Kortu Stevens and the Sierra Leone embassy is located in Washington.[24]  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State website https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5475.htm.
Vietnam	24 June 1978	Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 24, 1978.[25]

International disputes

Large UN peacekeeping presence ended civil war, however rebel gang fighting, ethnic rivalries, illegal diamond trading, corruption, and refugees spill over into neighboring states that are beset with their own civil disorders, refugees, and violence.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Sierra Leone
• List of diplomatic missions of Sierra Leone

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2010-07-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-05-14. Retrieved 2010-07-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Sierra-Leone-FOREIGN-POLICY.html
4. "República de Serra Leoa". www.itamaraty.gov.br (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-04-09.
5. http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/focac/183425.htm
8. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-23. Retrieved 2018-03-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
9. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-14. Retrieved 2018-03-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
16. Embassy of Mexico in Ghana
21. http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/middleeast/countries/20070824/1_24485.jsp?menu=m_30_50
23. "Embassy of the United States in Sierra Leone". Archived from the original on 2009-07-22. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
24. "Embassy of Sierra Leone". Sierra Leone government. 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2008-04-13.

External links

• United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone
• "Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at the Sierra Leone Encyclopedia 2006"