ECOWAS Ambassadors in China sympathize with Guinea Bissau on Death of President Malam Bacai Sanha
Ambassadors from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China on Wednesday, 11th January 2012 converged at the Guinea-Bissau Ambassador’s Residence, Tayuan Diplomatic Residence Compound in Beijing, to sympathize with him on the death of President Malam Bacai Sanha of Guinea Bissau. He died on Monday, 9th January in Paris, France, at the age of 64. (Photo: Paul Minah (left) conveying Sierra Leone’s message of great grief)
Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS Ambassadors in Beijing-China, the Head of ECOWAS in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China , who also doubles as Cape Verde’ s Ambassador to China Julio Cesar Freire De Morais gave a brief synopsis of the late President, saying he was a great liberator. He appreciated the efforts of all ECOWAS Ambassadors and representatives for their presence at the ceremony.
Founded on 28th May 1975, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen countries with a strong mission of promoting economic integration among member states. In a statement released on ECOWAS website by H. E. James Victor Gbeho, the late President Bacai Sanha is said to have taken “great interest in the fate and fortunes of ECOWAS, and was a regular participant in the high-level meetings of the Authority, in which he made invaluable contributions.” and that the late “President Bacai Sanha dedicated his entire life to the liberation and nation-building of his beloved country…”
In a related development, after signing of the Book of Condolence on behalf of the government and people of Sierra Leone, the Head of Mission, Sierra Leone Embassy in the People’s Republic of China, Paul A. Minah spoke of the good ties that have always existed between Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau in terms of cultural, social and economic ties which have kept going for several years.
According to Mr. Paul A. Minah, both countries have enjoyed close diplomatic ties over the years and that today, there are several Sierra Leoneans in Guinea Bissau. Guinea Bissau, he said, is a committed member of the Economic Community for West African State. Sierra Leone, also being a member of ECOWAS and seeing Guinea Bissau as a brother, saw the need to share a moment of grief with the country over the death of their President, President–Malam Bacai Sanha. The Acting Head of Mission also spoke of the role that His Excellency, President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone has continued to play at the sub regional level, especially being the Chairman of the African Union Committee of Ten for the Reform of the Security Council. He therefore extended Sierra Leone’s government sympathy to the Government and People of Guinea Bissau, through its Ambassador to China.
Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau have continued to maintain diplomatic ties for the mutual benefits of both countries. In 2011, at the presentation of letters of credence to President Koroma, Alhaji Brimo Embalo from Guinea Bissau disclosed, that his country was committed in continuing diplomatic relations with Sierra Leone and also registered his commitment toward meeting the well-being of citizenries of sister nations and called on President Koroma to count on him as an active collaborator, determined to strengthen ties between Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau. At that ceremony in September 2011, President Koroma spoke of the collaboration “with each other to present a common voice on global issues…” Both countries have been collaborating in related international and regional matters in line with both multilateral and bilateral relations under the backing ECOWAS, and other regional and international bodies.
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