The Embassy of Sierra Leone in Saudi Arabia commemorated the country’s 65th Independence with a dinner at Dilan Resort, Riyadh, on April 30, 2026. The event, themed “Building a Responsive, Resilient and Cohesive Sierra Leone,” featured a keynote address by H.E Ambassador Mohammed Barrie.
During his speech, a video documentary highlighting the country’s developmental progress on the “Big Five Gamechangers” under the leadership of His Excellency President Brigadier (Retired) Dr. Julius Maada Bio was showcased.
Ambassador Barrie praised Sierra Leone’s achievements under the stewardship of President Julius Maada Bio, defining the country as being on the right developmental trajectory with steady progress in free quality education, agriculture, infrastructure, foreign policy, health, technology and innovation.
Ambassador Barrie urged the Sierra Loene community in the Kingdom to reflect on the nation’s motto: “Unity, Freedom, and Justice.,” asking for Sierra Leoneans to embrace the credo of “one country, one people as a unifying force. He called on Sierra Leoneans to pray for the country and the leadership for development and stability.
Captain (Navy) Hassan Jansson Conteh, representing the Head of the Sierra Leone Delegation to the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), highlighted peace and stability as key to prosperity and human well-being. He said as a country there is a lot to celebrate as a nation. He said peace and stability of our country are worth celebrating because they act as catalysts for prosperity and human well-being: “Peace and stability are widely considered among the most valuable assets of a nation,” adding that said, peace and stability serve as the essential foundation for human development, economic prosperity, and the enjoyment of fundamental rights.
“They enable people to live without fear and allow communities to prosper, making them worth celebrating as vital components of a fulfilling life and civilizational progress”. He said as a member of the Sierra Leone army, their main function is to serve or act as the primary guardian of this stability, tasked with defending national sovereignty against external threats while ensuring internal security.
Sheikh Alhaji Ibrahim Sillah, representing the Sierra Leone community, thanked Ambassador Barrie and his team for organizing the event. He congratulated Sierra Leone on its 65th Independence anniversary and asked Sierra Leoneans to reflect on the sacrifices made by our forefathers for getting our freedom from colonial era in a smooth and dignified manner. Sheikh Sillah urged Sierra Leoneans to honour our shared values, stressing on the coat of arm: Unity, Freedom and Justice.
The event included cutting a commemorative cake in national colours and featured remarks from a student representative of the union in Riyadh, Sheikh Umaru Jalloh.
The welcome remarks were given by the Embassy’s Cultural Attaché, Alhaji Ibrahim Koi Dowui. The opening prayers was led by Sheikh Ahmed Maroof Sesay and the vote of thanks was delivered by the Embassy’s Accounts Clerk, Amina Koi Dowui.
Credit – Alhaji Abubakarr Bah, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone’s Information Attaché, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 4th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
