Morocco Supports Role of Sierra Leone to Ensure Reform of UN Security Council – FM –

Morocco supports the role played by Sierra Leone, which carries the voice of the African continent, to ensure the reform of the UN Security Council, stressed Friday in Dakhla, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita. “Sierra Leone defends the positions of Africa and Morocco supports the role of this country, which carries the voice of the continent regarding the reform of the Security Council,” said Bourita at a joint press briefing with his Sierra Leonean counterpart, David J. Francis, at the end of the 3rd session of the Morocco-Sierra Leone joint Commission. Sierra Leone also plays an important role at the multi-stakeholder level by coordinating the African position on the issue of Security Council reform, he said, adding that the wisdom and diplomacy of this country has enabled it to carry the voice of Africa for the reform of the Security Council, given the current situation that reveals dysfunctions of international governance in terms of security and peace. He also stressed that Sierra Leone, hub of stability in West Africa, will become a non-permanent member of the Security Council representing the African continent, as this country will be one of the three African countries non-permanent members of the Security Council, in the next two years, which reflects the trust of the international community in Sierra Leone. In this context, Bourita stressed that Morocco and Sierra Leone have worked together to prepare this candidacy scheduled for June 24, expressing his confidence that Sierra Leone will obtain a significant number of votes in the vote at the General Assembly, based on the fact that it is the only candidate from the African continent to become a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Sierra Leone plays an important role in the stability of the West African region, which in recent years has experienced a series of disturbances related to internal politics or terrorism, he said, stressing the need for an effective regional role. In this context, he said that Morocco supports the action taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for stability in the region, noting that this intergovernmental organization can count on the Kingdom and its deep relationship with West Africa to ensure peace and stability. Furthermore, Bourita said that His Majesty King Mohammed VI follows the progress and stability experienced by the Republic of Sierra Leone, thanks to the wisdom and vision of His Excellency president Julius Maada Bio. In this regard, the Minister highlighted the royal concern for Sierra Leone, through the decision of the Sovereign to allow 100 pilgrims from this country to perform the Hajj this year, which reflects the interest that HM the King does not cease to give to the human element in the consolidation of bilateral relations with African countries in general and Sierra Leone in particular. Similarly, Bourita said that 105 scholarships are granted to Sierra Leone, including 55 academic scholarships, 30 scholarships in vocational training and 20 scholarships granted to students pursuing their studies in training institutes in the southern provinces, adding that these scholarships may increase as part of the monitoring of the implementation of agreements signed Friday. In the same context, he affirmed the willingness of Morocco to increase the number of scholarships especially at the level of institutes in the southern provinces. This 3rd session of the Moroccan-Sierra Leone joint Commission was an opportunity to focus on the development of bilateral relations in recent years, in accordance with the guidelines of the two Heads of State, His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Excellency president Julius Maada Bio, concluded Bourita.