Iranian Ambassador Bids Farewell to Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sierra Leone, H.E. Seyed Khalil Sadati Amiri, paid a farewell courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, marking the final steps of his three-year diplomatic mission in Freetown.

Reflecting on his time in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Sadati Amiri pointed out the achievements and developments in bilateral relations in the course of the past three years, including:

• Formation of a parliamentary friendship group/caucus in the parliaments of the two countries and the visit of the Iranian parliamentary delegation to Freetown;
• Granting scholarships to Sierra Leonean students to study in Iran in various degrees and fields;
• Sending economic-trade and political delegations from Sierra Leone to Iran in order to strengthen relations;
• Pursuing the reopening of the Embassy's Cultural Center in Freetown after a years-long hiatus which will materialize soon;
• Facilitating the purchase of a property for the Red Crescent Medical Center so that after years of operating in rental locations, the Iranian clinic can expand its services in a new permanent spot as a specialized medical center;
• Guiding and encouraging private sector economic activists and Iranian investors to be present in the Sierra Leonean market with focus on mining, agriculture, and animal husbandry;
• Developing educational cooperation through the Nursing School, which has enrolled between 150 and 200 students in its second and third years, with the first-year students all graduated and spending their internships in the Sierra Leone Armed Forces Medical Centers.

Praising the remarkable achievements of the Ambassador during his mission, the Foreign Minister emphasized that the interaction of the Iranian Embassy with the Ministry has increased significantly during these three years. Referring to his meeting with the late Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian in Jeddah on the sidelines of the OIC summit, Mr. Kabba referred to him as his spiritual brother and a staunch defender of Islam.

The Minister emphasized that Sierra Leone aims to further strengthen ties with Iran. After wishing Ambassador Sadati Amiri success, the Minister expressed confidence that he would provide the necessary support to the next ambassador in order to continue on this path and develop bilateral relations.