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 around 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 also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 April 1972 when Mr Zitouni Messaudi, the first Algerian Ambassador, presented his credentials to President Stevens[52]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 2004 when Ambassador of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Mohammed Bayoh, presented his credentials to Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.[96]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 January 1976 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sierra Leone Mr. M. Anwarul Haq.[66]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1961 when M. G. Walravens was appointed as first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Sierra Leone ( with residence in Abidjan)[15]
Belgium is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 March 2016 when Ambassador of Sierra Leone (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Osman Keh Kamara presented his credentials to President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza.[107]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 January 1973 when has been accredited Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Denmark (resident in London) Mr. Jacob Arthur Christian Davies.[55]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 October 1961 when Mr. Abdoul Karim , Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Guinea presented his credentials to President Sekou Toure.[17]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 January 1975 when has been accredited Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau to Sierra Leone Mr. Alexander Nunes Correia.[61]
Sierra Leone's ambassador is accredited from Tehran and India established a resident High Commission in Freetown in 2021, having previously accrerdited its High Commissioner from Accra, Ghana.[115][116]
Both countries established diplomatic relations with the independence of Sierra Leone on 27 April 1961, the Israel consulate in Freetown became an embassy.[8]Sierra Leone broken diplomatic relations with Israel on 27 October 1973.[120]Diplomatic relations were re-established on 27 May 1992[121]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 when Sierra Leone attained independence the Lebanese Ambassador to Liberia was also appointed Ambassador to Sierra Leone. The consulate was changed into an Embassy and Mr. Hazou became Charge d'Affaires.[10]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 October 1968 when first High Commissioner of Lesotho to Sierra Leone Mr. C. D. Molapo has presented his credentials to Governor General Mr. Justice Banja Tejan-Sie[42]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 June 1962 when has been appointed first ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone Mr. Henry B. Fahnbulleh.[22]
The two countries signed a non-aggression pact in 2007 when Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma took office.[123] In January 2011, an African diplomat described relations as "cordial".[124]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 November 1966 when Dr. Rakoto-Ratsimamanga, the first Malagasy Ambassador to Sierra Leone with residence in Paris, presented his credentials.[38]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 1971 when first Ambassador of Mauritania to Sierra Leone, Mr. Dey Ould Brahim, has presented his credentials to President Stevens[50]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 September 2002 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Namibia (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Melvin Humpah Chalobah.[94]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 when was appointed first Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Mr A.B. Oyediran[11]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 November 1971 when Tanzania's High Commissioner to Sierra Leone , Mr. Frederick Rutakyanirwa , presented his credentials to President Stevens.[51]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 July 1975 when accredited first High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Sierra Leone (resident in Lagos) Mr. J.S.Donaldson[64]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 September 1973 when Brigadier Shaban Opolot, Uganda's first ambassador to Sierra Leone, has presented his credentials to President Stevens.[56]
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 [130] Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the U.S. is H. E. Bockari Kortu Stevens and the Sierra Leone embassy is located in Washington.[131]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 February 1971 when first High Commissioner of Zambia Mr. Siteke G. Mwale presented his credentials to the Governor General of Sierra Leone Sir Banja Tejan-Sie[47]
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.
^ abEurope, France outremer - Issues 382-392 (in French). 1961. p. 61.
^ abcdLes Élites africaines Volume 2 (in French). Édiafric. 1972. p. 93. COFFI Pierre C. Ivoire Ambassadeur des Etats du Conseil de l'Entente au Libéria et en Sierra- Leone ( 1961-1969 ) ;
^Afrika heute (in German). Deutsche Afrika-Gesellschaft. 1962. p. 210. Sierra - Leone und die Republik Senegal haben diplomatische Beziehungen zueinander aufgenommen . Der erste Botschafter des Senegal in Sierra - Leone ist Dr. Amadou Lamine Sall ...
^Ustrój społeczno-polityczny PRL wybór dokumentów i materiałow (in Polish). Akad. Górniczo-Hutnicza Im. S. Staszica. 1970. p. 437.
^Relazioni internazionali Volume 26 (in Italian). Istituto per gli studi di politica internazionale. 1962. p. 739.
^Europe, France outremer Issues 393-404 (in French). 1962. p. 146.
^Staats-kalender der Schweizerischen eidgenossenschaft Annuaire de la Confédération suisse. Annuario della Confederazione svizzera (in German). Switzerland. Bundeskanzlei, Switzerland. Militärdepartment. 1962. p. 56.
^Summary of the Yugoslav Press. The Service. 1963. p. 17.
^Overseas Review. Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial, and Overseas). 1963. p. 58. ... The Ministry of External Affairs announces that the Government of Morocco and Sierra Leone have agreed to establish diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level .
^"DPRK Diplomatic Relations"(PDF). NCNK (The National Committee on North Korea). August 2016. p. 4. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
^ abAfrica Research Bulletin. Blackwell. 1971. p. 2279.
^ abAfrica Research Bulletin. Blackwell. 1971. p. 2279.
^ abSierra Leone 12 Years of Economic Achievement and Political Consolidation Under the APC and Dr. Siaka Stevens, 1968-1980. Office of the President. 1980. p. 165.
^West Africa - Volume 29, Part 1. Afrimedia International. 1975. p. 85.
^ abDiplomatic and Consular List and List of Administrative Officers, Ministry of External Affairs. Sierra Leone. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1972. p. 13.
^Sierra Leone 12 Years of Economic Achievement and Political Consolidation Under the APC and Dr. Siaka Stevens, 1968-1980. Sierra Leone. Office of the President. 1980. p. 272.
^West Africa - Volume 29, Part 1 - Page 377. West Africa Publishing Company, Limited. 1975.
^ abDiplomatic and Consular List. Sierra Leone. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1972. p. 13.
^ARR Arab Report and Record. Economic Features, Limited. 1975. p. 636.
^ abDiplomatic and Consular List and List of Administrative Officers, Ministry of External Affairs. Sierra Leone. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1972. p. 13.
^"Diplomatic and Consular List"(PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia. March 2020. p. 7. Archived from the original(PDF) on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
^"Sierra Leone". Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Dakar, Senegal (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2024.