The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 24/04/2025 unanimously ratified Cooperative agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Sierra Leone and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the mutual benefits and development of both countries.
The following agreement and Memorandum of Understanding were ratified by Parliament of Sierra Leone:
- Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone
- Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Presenting the agreement, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Francess P. Alghali said the Government of Sierra Leone and the Government of Saudi Arabia signed the cooperation agreement in Saudi. She told the House that the agreement is crucial to various sectors, including investment, health, and agriculture, economic growth anongst others. The Deputy Minister emphasised that the agreement would cover the operations of various sectors.
Madam Deputy Minister assured Parliament that the agreement would improve the bilateral relationship between both countries in light of mutual benefits and enhancing trade and economic development. She also vehemently revealed that the agreement would also improve human capital development, especially in technologies and other sectors.
The MOU, she said, would create a platform for cooperation and would promote the national interest of the parties.
Rounding up the debate on behalf of the Opposition party, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Daniel Brima Koroma, said there is nothing controversial about the agreement and that the agreement is of mutual interest and benefit for both Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He continued that Sierra Leone has a lot to benefit from Saudi Arabia and encouraged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek more positive dealings with Saudi Arabia. The MP also used the opportunity to raise concern that most of the time in Sierra Leone, contracts are given to foreign workers instead of being awarded to Sierra Leoneans, which is detrimental to the growth of local investment. He said Article 8 of the agreement speaks about monitoring the agreement, which is beneficial for better performance; he encouraged the ministry to ensure effective monitoring of the implementation of agreement coming to Parliament.
Ending the debate on the side of the Government, the Majority and Leader of Government Business, Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma said that Article 7 of the Agreements speaks positively about mutual agreement regarding a particular area of investment. He said that there is a need for the full implementation of the agreement, which has been a major challenge over the years. The majority leader continued that the agreement and MoU are necessary for more growth and progress in certain areas, particularly in technology and digital fields. “The involvement of the private sector in these agreement is very key,” he said.
The Minister, while clarifying issues and concerns raised by Members of Parliament, assured the House that the implementation of the agreement would be adequately monitored.
Parliamentary and Public Relations Department
Parliament of Sierra Leone
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