Sierra Leone strengthens ties with Saudi Arabia at African Day celebration

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), H.E. Wusu Munu in a joint statement with his colleagues in Riyadh stressed the excellent and historic relations binding African countries and Saudi Arabia. (Photo: l-r Libyan and Burkina Ambassadors listening to a Saudi Foreign Ministry Representative)

The statement was made at the host venue for this year’s African Day celebration, at the Sudanese Embassy, Diplomatic Quarters in Riyadh, on Tuesday, May 25^th 2010. 

l-r HE Wusu Munu, Saudi Foreign Minister Rep, and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Riyadh inspecting the Sierra Leonean cuisine!

The ceremony was held to commemorate the 47th anniversary of African Day, marking the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) (now the African Union) in 1963, and it attracted over 500 guests, including Ambassadors, high-ranking Saudi officials, and African expatriates resident in Riyadh. 

Saudi authorities at the occasion

 In a joint statement read on behalf of the African Ambassadors, the Dean of the African Ambassadors in Riyadh, Libyan Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Said Al- Qashat said: “The historic and excellent ties between Saudi Arabia and Africa have grown through the continuous and direct meetings between Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah and African leaders.”

 The diplomats thanked King Abdullah for supporting developmental projects on the continent, saying that the support emanates from the Kingdom’s firm belief and keenness to uphold the well being of Africa and its people.

The inspection team cutting the African cake

HE Munu in a warm handshake with his Cameroon colleague

 The envoys also called for increased African-Arab cooperation and encouraged Saudi investments in the African continent. “We would like to request Saudi businessmen, in particular, and those in the Gulf, in general, to invest in Africa and take advantage of opportunities for partnership and investment in the Continent to strengthen the economic relations between Saudi Arabia and African countries,” their statement added. 

Mrs Zainab Munu (wife of the Ambassador) and the wife of the Sudanese Ambassador

In his response, Saudi Arabia’s Under Secretary for Multilateral Relations, His Highness, Prince Torki Bin Muhammad Bin Saud Al- Kabir said on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Royal Highness, Prince Saud Al Faisal that: “The Kingdom is continually exerting efforts and partaking in ongoing endeavours to bring about peace and stability and promote development throughout the African continent.”

Wives of some of the attending African Ambassadors

He added that: “Our participation in this momentous occasion is an affirmation of the continuity of communications between us and the efforts to strengthen and consolidate relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the African States.” 

Mrs Munu poses close to the Sierra Leone table

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