By Emma Black

Sierra Leone has taken a significant diplomatic step in strengthening its relations with the Sultanate of Oman following the formal presentation of Letters of Credence by Mohammed Barrie, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and non-resident Ambassador to Oman.

The credentials were presented on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, to Haitham bin Tarik Al Said during an official ceremony held at the Sultan’s palace in Muscat.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Barrie conveyed warm greetings from Julius Maada Bio, along with best wishes from the Government and people of Sierra Leone, to the Sultan and the people of Oman. He reaffirmed President Bio’s strong commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and expanding diplomatic, economic, and development partnerships between the two countries.

The Ambassador highlighted Sierra Leone’s growing investment potential, noting ongoing national development efforts under President Bio’s leadership. He emphasized Oman’s strategic strengths in energy, port and logistics services, infrastructure development, and private sector growth, describing these sectors as areas of mutual benefit. Ambassador Barrie encouraged Omani authorities and investors to explore emerging opportunities in Sierra Leone, particularly in sectors aligned with the country’s medium- and long-term development agenda.

Discussions between Ambassador Barrie and Sultan Haitham focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key priority areas, including, Trade and investment, Energy and mining, Agriculture and fisheries, Education and capacity building, Port development and logistics

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with Sultan Haitham welcoming enhanced cooperation and advising the Ambassador to submit concrete project proposals to facilitate practical collaboration between the two nations.

Following the credential ceremony, Ambassador Barrie, accompanied by the Head of Chancery, Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabba, paid a visit to a Ministry of Labour detention facility in Oman where three Sierra Leonean domestic workers were being held pending repatriation. The visit aimed at assessing their welfare and supporting efforts to resolve their situation.

“Due to extenuating circumstances, it was mutually agreed that they should return home,” Ambassador Barrie stated, reaffirming the mission’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Sierra Leonean nationals abroad.

In reflecting on his engagements, Ambassador Barrie described Oman as a stable, business-friendly, and cosmopolitan nation, noting its strong potential as a strategic partner for Sierra Leone in trade, investment, and development cooperation.

The successful presentation of credentials marks a renewed phase in Sierra Leone Oman diplomatic relations, setting the stage for closer collaboration and expanded engagement in the years ahead.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 23rd February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)