By Amara Thoronka
Sierra Leone has assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security (UNSC) on Thursday 1st July 2024. It could be recalled that on 6th June 2023, the United Nations General Assembly elected Sierra Leone and four other nations as non-permanent members of UNSC for a two-year term which commenced on 1st January 2024 and would end on 31st December 2025. The election of Sierra Leone to the UNSC came after President Julius Maada Bio had officially launched the country’s bid for a seat in the UNSC non-permanent member category.
In recognition and celebration of Sierra Leone’s first day as President of the UN Security Council. a government press conference was held by the Ministry of Information and Civil Education on Thursday, 1st August, 2024, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, explained the country’s agenda, expectations, and implications in such capacity.
“Today is a very historic day for Sierra Leone. This is because, after 53 years, Sierra Leone is now back at the UN Security Council since January this year unto December 2025. Today 1st August 2024, Sierra Leone has assumed the presidency of the world’s most premier and prestigious body responsible for the maintenance of global peace and security. This is great taking into consideration the size of the country’s population and economy to be worthy to provide stewardship at the UN Security Council for the whole of August,” he narrated.
He added that the country is assuming such global capacity at a time of serious conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel-Palestine crisis, among others; while assuring that Sierra Leone will use its capacity at the UN Security Council to address such conflicts diplomatically.
Information Minister Chernor Bah, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, said every Sierra Leone should be proud of the current image of the country at the United Nations, praising President
“Today is a great day for Sierra Leone. It is a day of national pride. We are not just at the United Nations Security Council but we now occupy the presidency. This is as a result of the vision, leadership and strategy of His Excellency the President Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Wonnie Bio,” he said.
Madam Francess Alghali, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation explained Sierra Leone’s priorities on women, peace and conflict.
“When we were on the verge of going to the Security Council, we prioritized certain agendas which we committed to promote we get there. One of the agendas is women, peace and security; women’s participation in peace and security; protection of women in conflict; prevention of atrocities against women in conflict; and the consideration of relief and recovery of women in conflict situation. These are all part of our priorities. Our first activity would be a debate on women, peace and security on 7th August. We will encourage member states to protect and empower women. Sierra Leone is a shining example in women empowerment,” she expounded.
Allan Logan, the Deputy Director-General of Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said President Bio was given the mandate by the African Union to coordinate the reform of the UN Security Council. “Africa does not have permanent membership at the Security Council even when most of the decisions taken at the Council center on Africa. We are therefore asking for two permanent seats and two additional non-permanent seats for Africa at the Security Council to create a balance,” he noted.
On the eve of Sierra Leone assuming the UNSC presidency, President Bio on Wednesday, 31st July, 2024, wrote on X [formerly Twitter] that:
“As we commence our presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August, today is truly epoch-making and significant in our nation’s history. After over half a century, Sierra Leone will preside over agenda-setting, meetings, and activities of the premier global body for maintaining international peace and security.
Our objective is to foster productive dialogue among parties, based on mutual trust and respect, that result in peaceful and sustainable resolutions of conflict and for collectively tackling other global challenges. We will also work closely with the P5 and regional groups as we vigorously pursue Security Council reform for the inclusive, equitable, and permanent representation of the voices of Africa’s 1.2 billion people. 79 years after the founding of the United Nations, now is the time to right this historical injustice.”
The UNSC has 15 members; 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. The permanent members are not elected. They are there permanently: United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France and China. The non-permanent members are elected for a two-year term. The presidency of the UNSC rotates monthly among the 15 members. August 2024 is the turn of Sierra Leone to occupy the presidency of the world’s security organ.
The primary mandate of the United Nations Security Council is to maintain international peace and security. This is the second time the country has been a member of the UNSC. The first time was in 1970.
