By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In an exclusive interview with The Calabash Newspaper, His Excellency Hachem Abdelhafid, Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to Sierra Leone, has hailed the recent inauguration of Algeria’s Embassy in Freetown as a “strategic milestone” in the evolving diplomatic relationship between the two nations. The interview, conducted at the newly opened Algerian Embassy at 23 Spur Road, Freetown, on July 24, 2025, offered comprehensive insights into Algeria’s foreign policy priorities, regional cooperation and shared continental aspirations with Sierra Leone.

Ambassador Hachem Abdelhafid underscored that the establishment of resident embassies in both capitals was formalized through a joint communiqué signed by Presidents Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria and Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone during the latter’s visit to Algiers in January 2024. “This move reflects our shared commitment to strengthening our historic ties of brotherhood and solidarity,” he stated.

Having assumed his role in January 2025, Ambassador Hachem Abdelhafid became Algeria’s first resident Ambassador to Sierra Leone. He described the assignment as a personal and professional honor, emphasizing the immense potential of Sierra Leone’s political, economic and scientific sectors.

The official inauguration of the Algerian Embassy in June 2025, followed by the opening of Sierra Leone’s Embassy in Algiers earlier in January, signals a significant diplomatic advancement. Ambassador Abdelhafid presented his credentials to President Bio on June 5, 2025. “President Bio expressed enthusiasm about the progress in our relations,” he revealed, adding that both countries are aligned in various multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council, the C-10 Committee and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

Ambassador Hachem Abdelhafid described President Bio’s 2024 state visit to Algeria as a “symbolic and strategic initiative” that reaffirmed Algeria’s Pan-African identity and expanding geopolitical footprint. “Algeria views Sierra Leone as a sister nation, united by common struggles for sovereignty and development,” he said.

In recent years, Algeria has taken deliberate steps to expand its diplomatic presence across Africa, opening Embassies in Sierra Leone, Botswana, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Zambia and soon Benin. This broader outreach reflects Algeria’s neo-Pan-Africanist strategy to foster regional unity and development.

Both nations are now focusing on key areas of cooperation, including economic development, education, agriculture, renewable energy and diplomacy. Ambassador Hachem Abdelhafid said they are working on finalizing twelve draft bilateral agreements covering trade, vocational training, sports, visa exemptions and the reactivation of the Joint Commission, whose last session was held in 1988.

Reflecting on Algeria’s 63rd Independence Day celebrated on July 5, Ambassador Hachem Abdelhafid paid tribute to the 1.5 million martyrs who died in the country’s liberation struggle. “Our independence is a globally recognized triumph of the human spirit,” he said.

Since independence in 1962, Algeria has made considerable strides in social and economic development, especially under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The Ambassador highlighted achievements such as constitutional reforms in 2020, improved human rights and stronger democratic institutions, including enhanced representation of women in governance.

Algeria has also taken on greater continental responsibilities, notably its election to the African Union Commission’s Vice Presidency and its seat on the AU Peace and Security Council. The country remains a staunch advocate of reforms in Africa’s peace architecture, the Western Sahara issue and Palestinian rights.

Ambassador Hachem Abdelhafid noted that Algeria is preparing to host the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in September 2025, an event expected to boost intra-African commerce. He also emphasized Algeria’s leading role in counterterrorism, with President Tebboune serving as the African Union’s Coordinator on Preventing and Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism.

Diplomatic relations between Algeria and Sierra Leone were established in 1971, with significant support from Algeria during the 1979 OAU Summit hosted in Freetown. Although civil wars in both countries disrupted progress in the 1990s, the Ambassador emphasized that relations were kept alive through mutual support in multilateral platforms.

A turning point came in 1999 when Algeria, then chair of the OAU, partnered with ECOWAS to support peace and reconciliation in Sierra Leone. More recently, the January 2024 visit by President Bio to Algeria injected fresh momentum into bilateral ties. This was followed by high-level visits, including those of Algeria’s Prime Minister, Nadir Larbaoui to Freetown and Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba to Algiers.

Despite solid political engagement, the Ambassador acknowledged that trade volumes between the two countries remain modest. Algeria’s exports to Sierra Leone consist mainly of cement, sugar and mineral water, while Sierra Leone exports fruit juices. “There is enormous untapped potential in trade, agriculture and industry,” he noted.

Ambassador Hachem Abdelhafid highlighted that energy is a priority area, with discussions underway involving Algeria’s Sonelgaz and Sonatrach to support Sierra Leone’s power generation and supply of petroleum products at preferential rates. In the security domain, he pointed to the recent visits by Sierra Leone’s Chief of Army Staff, General Lavahun Peter Kakowou, to Algeria to strengthen military ties, including equipment and counter-terrorism support.

Educational cooperation has also grown. Algeria offered 15 scholarships to Sierra Leonean students from 2019 to 2020, with 12 more scheduled for the 2025–2026 academic year. A proposed maritime agreement is also being finalized to boost trade connectivity.

Ambassador Hachem Abdelhafid mentioned that Algerian investors are exploring opportunities in Sierra Leone, particularly in agriculture, energy and infrastructure. He also highlighted the two countries’ close cooperation on the global stage, especially on UN Security Council reform through the African Union’s Committee of Ten (C10).

The Ambassador concluded by emphasizing the shared vision of Algeria and Sierra Leone in advocating for Africa’s rightful place in global decision-making bodies. “Both countries are committed to correcting historical injustices by pushing for Africa’s representation with at least two permanent and several non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council,” he said.

The deepening partnership between Algeria and Sierra Leone has prompted Ambassador Abdelhafid to express optimism about the future. “We are entering a new chapter built on a foundation of historical solidarity, mutual respect and a collective ambition to shape a more just, prosperous and united Africa,” he stated. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/ambassador-hachem-abdelhafid-embassy-opening-marks-new-era-in-algeria-sierra-leone-relations/