Sierra Leone, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council along with Mozambique and Algeria, is increasingly being courted by the Algerian regime, which wants to take advantage of an ideal opportunity to plant a banderill in the Moroccan diplomatic field, which continues to multiply its successes on the international stage.
It all began with a surprising visit to Algiers by the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, from January 2 to 4. This was followed twenty days later by a visit by his army chief of staff, General Peter Kakowou, who was received on the 24th by his Algerian counterpart, Army General Saïd Chengriha.
Meeting of the Chief of the General Staff of Sierra Leone, General Peter Kakowou, who was received on the 24th by his Algerian counterpart, Army General Saïd Chengriha.
The Algerian regime believes it has found a good way to unseat its eternal rival in the West, who, through the voice of its Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Musa Kabba, affirmed Sierra Leone’s unwavering support for Morocco’s territorial integrity in September 2023.
A declaration that strongly confirms a recognition concretized by the opening of a consulate in Dakhla since August 2021.
Taking advantage of the 37th summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa on February 17, the Algerian Foreign Minister continued his charm operation towards Freetown.
He invited his Mozambican and Sierra Leonean counterparts to a coordination meeting in their capacity as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, in order to put frank pressure on the head of Sierra Leone’s diplomacy.
He had an easy time of it, enlisting the help of the representative of Mozambique, whose country recognizes the “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic” proclaimed by the Polisario on February 28, 1976, a few kilometers from the Algerian desert town of Tindouf.
Meeting of the presidents of Algeria and Sierra Leone
According to Algerian diplomatic sources, the purpose of the three ministers’ meeting is to “discuss the strategy for maintaining the momentum of joint African action for just causes”, in particular the “decolonization of the Western Sahara”.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what Algeria is up to. Sierraloaded, a Sierra Leonean news website, writes: “During the 37th African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Algeria reportedly undertook diplomatic efforts to influence Sierra Leone’s position on Western Sahara.”
He continues, “Algeria seems to be looking for diplomatic victories, and Sierra Leone’s position is a potential target.”
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Publish date : 2024-02-25 08:00:00
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