Sierra Leone-South Africa relation takes centre stage in China

Paul A.S Minah, Head of Chancery, Sierra Leone Embassy in the People’s Republic of China has spoken, that the role of South Africa, in the development of the African continent is as great and outstanding as the need for a united Africa. He spoke on Friday, 30th March, whilst welcoming Thabo Thage, Minister Plenipotentiary for the South African Embassy in PR China, during a courtesy call to the Sierra Leone Embassy. (Photo: Thabo Thage, (with red tie) flanked by Sierra Leone Embassy staff)

According to Paul A.S Minah, Sierra Leone sees South Africa as not just a big brother, but “also as a country that is playing a meaningful role in Africa’s development.” He referred to the role that South Africa has continued to play from the framework of the AU and the BRICS countries.

BRICS is an acronym, meaning Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and these are the emerging world economies, with 42% of the world’s total population and 30.6 trillion dollars GPD and 20% of world’s total Gross Domestic Product. Since 2010, over 50% of global growth has come from BRICS, which s seen as the global growth powerhouse.

According to Paul A. S Minah, plans by BRICS for the establishment of a joint development bank, as proposed by India is a commendable venture and that he (Paul Minah) was very impressed with South Africa’s position in the recently concluded BRICS summit in New Deli, India. He assured the new Minister Plenipotentiary from South Africa of “our (Sierra Leone Embassy) fullest cooperation” in pushing for Africa’s development and in working with South Africa on African issues.

Earlier, Thabo Thage expressed optimism of having a cordial working relation with the Sierra Leone Embassy in the PR China “Even though I just arrived, but I also saw the need to pay a visit to the Embassy as African brothers…” He said, he has been involved in AU issues as an African and that from an African perspective, “it is good to announce your arrival to your brothers and that is why am here and to also ask that we continue to work together as brothers”, he appealed.

South Africa and Sierra Leone, he went on, tend to share a lot and as such, there is the need for both countries to continue to work and push for the unity of the African continent “and for a better life of our people.” The interaction between South Africa and Sierra Leone, he said is something that cannot go unnoticed.

South Africa and Sierra Leone have continued to have cordial relationship. On 17^th October 2011, the government and people of the Republic of South Africa expressed determination to further strengthen the existing diplomatic relations with Sierra Leone. South Africa once intervened in sponsoring the arrival of the Cuban doctors to Sierra Leone, at a time when Sierra Leone came up with the idea of getting the free health care initiative. The free health care initiative has itself made tremendous progress in Sierra Leone since it was introduced by President Koroma year a year ago.

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