Sierra Leone’s Information Attaché Strengthens Cooperation With Swiss Counterpart
Mohamed Sheriff, Information Attaché at the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Switzerland and Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, on Monday, October 28, 2024, expressed his enthusiasm for enhancing diplomatic ties with Switzerland following a productive meeting with Swiss officials. This meeting, facilitated by the Deputy Ambassador of the Swiss Mission, emphasized the countries’ ongoing collaboration and identified potential areas for future partnership.
Reflecting on his experiences, Sheriff noted his participation in the “Introduction to UN Geneva for New Diplomats” program at the UN Library, which provided valuable insights into Swiss perspectives on international relations. He underscored the significance of strengthening engagement with Swiss information attachés to foster shared experiences that align with the interests and aspirations of both nations.
Sierra Leone’s diplomatic relationship with Switzerland has a rich history, dating back to 1920 when Switzerland first established a consulate in then-British-controlled Sierra Leone. Following Sierra Leone’s independence in 1961, formal diplomatic relations were established, culminating in the upgrade of Switzerland’s consulate in Freetown to a Consulate General. In 2012, Sierra Leone inaugurated its Embassy and Permanent Mission in Geneva, with Ambassador Yvette Stevens appointed as its first Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the UN—an initiative that reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to women’s empowerment.
Since taking office in 2018, President Julius Maada Bio has further fortified ties with Switzerland, broadening the Embassy’s focus on international cooperation across various fields. Appointed Information Attaché in 2020, Sheriff has spearheaded rebranding efforts to promote the Embassy’s initiatives both to the Sierra Leonean public and international partners, including the Swiss government, under the guidance of Ambassador Dr. Lansana Gberie.
Sheriff emphasized Sierra Leone’s growing role in international cooperation, highlighting progress in education, trade, mining, investment, humanitarian affairs, human rights, telecommunications, health, peace and security, and tourism. He attributed these achievements to collaborative efforts and knowledge exchange between the two countries.
Despite the Embassy’s successes in engaging with the Sierra Leonean community, Sheriff acknowledged challenges in sharing information with Swiss counterparts. Language barriers and limited collaborative opportunities have hindered broader communication. He viewed this recent meeting as a pivotal step towards expanding cooperation with Swiss media to further strengthen bilateral relations.
In response to Sheriff’s initiatives, Mr. Frederick Ballenegger, Second Secretary and Communication Specialist, expressed appreciation for the engagement and optimism for future collaboration. He suggested organizing interview sessions with Ambassador Dr. Lansana Gberie for local newspapers and television, focusing on thematic issues such as UN Security Council collaborations, the Ambassador’s work, and President Bio’s initiatives. These interviews aim to showcase Sierra Leone’s rebranding efforts in the weeks ahead.
Sheriff attended the meeting alongside First Counsellor Mr. Robert Koroma, who also expressed optimism about deepening these partnerships.
