By Timothy Ferenkeh Koroma
Members of the Sierra Leone-Egypt Friendship Society have paid a courtesy call on the new Egyptian to Sierra Leone His Excellency Ambassador Sherif A. Rifaat at his Wilkinson Office in Freetown.
Edward Marah, the President of the Sierra Leone-Egypt Friendship Society congratulates Ambassador Rifaat for his new assignment to Sierra Leone which as an organization they’re excited about.
Mr Marah said that the contribution of Egypt to the development of Sierra Leone cannot be over-emphasized and the reason they as a group of Sierra Leoneans that have benefited from Egypt’s developmental assistance to the country decided to form the ‘Sierra Leone-Egypt Friendship Society’ to help complement the effort of the government to further strengthening and promoting the bilateral relationship and friendship with Egyptians living in the country.
Mr Marah inform the Ambassador that, the organization was established in 2007 with the principal aim of working with a few Egyptians in Sierra Leone in promoting social and cultural interactions and friendship. Sierra Leone –Egypt Friendship Society (SLEFS) was introduced basically to enhance the ties in a more interactive way between Egyptians and Sierra Leoneans in a bid to understand and share the cultural and social well-being of the two countries.
He revealed that in the interim, they have established a branch in Cairo, Egypt and soon be launched going forward. The Society is very grateful to the former Egyptian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Ambassador Ezzert for his friendly advice, support and cooperation with the society during his tenure in Sierra Leone.
He told the Ambassador that their vision is to define specific problems among the two countries’ citizens and to uphold our strategy. So in essence, our strategic vision is to share gracefully the things that bring us together as a friendship society.
He revealed further that their aim/objective is to promote friendliness and cultural and social interaction among citizens of both countries, enhance a sense of safety, belongingness and Security among citizens of the two countries, and encourage Tourism and Cultural exchange between the two countries.-, uphold and protect trade, and business investment in both countries and serve as each other’s keepers and promote the foreign policies of both countries and always stand with them as brothers and sisters.
His Excellency Ambassador Sherif A. Rifaat while responding commended members of the organization for such a brilliant initiative which he noted will further enhance the existing friendship between the two countries.
He noted that Sierra Leone is a loving country with friendly people with which Egypt is proud to associate adding that Egypt will continue to support Sierra Leone’s development, especially in the area of Education, Training, Heath, and Agriculture among others. He pledges his support to Sierra Leone-Egypt Friendship Society any time he is called upon.
The Republic of Sierra Leone and the Arab Republic of Egypt has enjoyed strong bilateral relationships for over sixty years with mutual respect and understanding. Arab Republic Egypt was one of the first countries in Africa to have established a diplomatic relationship with Sierra Leone and has helped the government and people of Sierra Leone greatly in the area of development cooperation and human capital development (Education) with the provision of scholarships and technical assistance, among others which have benefited well over hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans and still counting.
Sierra Leone is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa that was colonized by the British. It shares its southeastern border with Liberia and the northern half of the nation is surrounded by Guinea covering a total area of 71,740 km2 (27,699 sq. mi).
Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, with diverse environments ranging from savannah and rainforest. The country has a population of 8,421 as of the 2021 census.
Freetown is the capital and largest city. The the country is divided into five administrative regions, which are subdivided into 16 districts. Sierra Leone gained its independence on 27th April 1961 and has since established diplomatic relations with several countries including the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Sierra Leone is located on the West Coast of Africa between 7 and 10 degrees N and longitudes 10.5 and 13 degrees W. The Republic of Guinea is to the north and northeast; Liberia is to the east and southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean on the west and south. It has 300 miles of coastline.