Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Mr. Rex Bhonapha, on Friday, 5th September 2025, deposited the Instrument of Ratification of the African Road Safety Charter at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
At commencement of the official ceremony hosted at the conference room of the African Union Directorate of Legal Affairs, Professor Hajer Gueldich, Legal Counsel and Director for Legal Affairs, welcomed the Deputy Minister and his delegation on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Professor Gueldich noted that Sierra Leone is the 14th Member State to ratify and deposit the instrument of Road Safety Charter ratification, adding that the feat would encourage other Member States to ratify the Charter.
Director of Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Kamugisha Kazaura, representing the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Her Excellency Lerato D. Matabonge, congratulated the people and Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone for depositing the instrument of ratification of the African Road Safety Charter, adding: “By taking this decisive step, Sierra Leone has demonstrated leadership and commitment to safeguarding the lives of its citizens, and to advancing the continental road safety agenda.”
Dr. Kazaura drew the attention of Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister and his delegation to the paradox of the African continent bearing a disproportionate burden of road traffic crashes and fatalities despite having the lowest motorization rate globally. “Africa bears a disproportionate burden of road traffic crashes and fatalities, despite having the lowest motorization rates globally. Road crashes continue to claim the lives of our citizens—especially the young and productive segment of our populations—causing immeasurable suffering to families, communities, and nations. Road safety is therefore not only a transport issue, but also a public health, social, and economic development priority,” he noted.
He maintained that the Charter provides the African continent with a shared framework to strengthen institutions, harmonize policies, and ensure accountability for results, and re-affirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting Member States, through the African Road Safety Observatory (AfRSO), to mobilize resources, provide technical assistance and build strong institutions that can deliver on the promise of the Charter.
Dr. Kazaura commended Sierra Leone’s leadership and vision to ratify the Charter and urged all African Union Member States to follow the decisive step taken by Sierra Leone so that the Charter could enter into force without further delay, and give Africa a stronger platform to address the road safety crisis.
David Niyonsenga, Head of Secretariat at the African Road Safety Observatory, congratulated Sierra Leone on the historic milestone and pledged support to the country’s formulation of a road safety policy, strategy and data management. “The African Road Safety Observatory is keen to work with you (Sierra Leone); this is not the end but the beginning of our collaboration,” he assured.
In his remark, the Deputy Minister, on behalf of his delegation, thanked the Commission for the warm reception accorded to them. He informed the Commission that Sierra Leone’s ratification of the Charter was a promise fulfilled through hard work and due diligence by his ministry and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority. He maintained that the swift process of ratification was made possible as a result of the political will and support of His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, and the Parliament of Sierra Leone.
Mr. Rex Bonapha pledged Sierra Leone’s continued cooperation with the African Union Commission to effectuate the core purpose of the Charter and encourage other Member States to ratify or accede to it.
The Deputy Minister was accompanied by the Secretary to the Authority and Board of Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, Abu-Bakarr Shrieff Esq., Deputy Head of Mission Sierra Leone Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ambassador Duwai Sellu Lungay, Head of Chancery, Mr. Zainu Deen Sanusi, and Second Secretary, Ms. Merilyn Kamara.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister and Secretary to the Authority and Board of Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, after the event at the African Union Commission headquarters, paid a courtesy call on Sierra Leone Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Addis Ababa, His Excellency Harold Bundu Saffa at the Embassy in Addis Ababa. Ambassador Harold Saffa warmly welcomed the duo and commended them for a job well done. The Permanent Representative also congratulated the two- man delegation for successfully depositing the important African Union Charter.
On their part, the visiting team thanked the Permanent Representative His Excellency Harold Bundu Saffa and his team at the Embassy for the warm hospitality accorded them and for the their great role towards the depositing of the Charter.
Demba Kanji Daramy,
Information Attache, Embassy of Sierra Leone, Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
