State House, Freetown, Wednesday, 21 October 2026* – His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has bade farewell to Professor Foday M. Jaward, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Qatar, ahead of his diplomatic assignment.

During the meeting, Professor Jaward expressed profound gratitude to President Bio for the confidence placed in him through his appointment, describing the opportunity to serve as Ambassador as both a great honour and a serious responsibility.

He underscored the importance of strengthening the longstanding friendship between Sierra Leone and Qatar, noting that he would work to deepen bilateral relations, expand economic and cultural cooperation, and promote people-to-people exchanges for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Professor Jaward described Qatar as an important partner of Sierra Leone, with a respected role in regional and international affairs. He pledged to advance shared aspirations for peace, security, sustainable development and prosperity while ensuring that Sierra Leone’s national interests and values remained central to his diplomatic engagement.

Reflecting on the importance of international cooperation, the Ambassador cited former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who said: “We may have different religions, different languages, different coloured skin, but we all belong to one human race.”

He said the reflection reinforced the importance of mutual respect, dialogue and understanding in building enduring partnerships among nations, principles he pledged to uphold in advancing relations between Sierra Leone and Qatar.

Professor Jaward also emphasised that his appointment was not merely an honour but a solemn call to public service. Drawing on the principle in Aristotle’s political philosophy that the common good takes precedence over individual interests, he pledged to serve Sierra Leone with integrity, dignity, humility and professionalism.

He assured the President of his commitment to listening carefully, engaging constructively and building bridges of understanding, while pursuing meaningful opportunities to strengthen cooperation and contribute to the welfare and prosperity of both nations. He thanked President Bio once again for his trust and confidence, pledging to discharge his responsibilities to the best of his ability.

In response, President Bio congratulated Professor Jaward on his appointment, describing it as well deserved and an important opportunity to serve the country in a diplomatic capacity.

The President noted that Sierra Leone and Qatar shared longstanding bilateral relations and friendship, adding that his own engagement with the Qatari government had been cordial over the years.

President Bio observed that the two countries had several outstanding areas of cooperation to advance, some of which had been affected by global economic challenges and conflicts in different parts of the world. He expressed optimism that these challenges would be addressed and that both countries would continue to strengthen their partnership.

The President assured Professor Jaward of his full support as he undertakes his diplomatic assignment and expressed confidence that the Ambassador would deliver positive results for Sierra Leone.

President Bio concluded by congratulating the Ambassador once again and wishing him a safe journey as he prepares to represent Sierra Leone in Qatar.

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