The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mahamat Saleh ANNADIF paid a one-day visit to Sierra Leone today.

This visit is part of the regular activities of UNOWAS to support stakeholders in their initiatives to promote inclusive dialogue and national reconciliation, and to strengthen the consolidation of peace and democracy in Sierra Leone.

The Special Representative was received by His Excellency, the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio. He also met with the former President, Ernest Bai Koroma, and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited to Freetown. Discussions focused on a variety of topics, including on the need to do everything possible to maintain an inclusive dialogue to ensure peaceful general elections in 2023.

While commending the work accomplished in strengthening democratic institutions, human rights and development, including the enactment of the law on the abolition of the death penalty, M. ANNADIF called on all stakeholders to take the necessary measures through dialogue and consultation so that the general elections of 2023 constitute a  major democratic progress for Sierra Leone.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel renewed the United Nations commitment to support the government and people of Sierra Leone in their efforts for national reconciliation, democracy and development.