Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, held a strategic meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, on Monday July 28, 2025 at Marlborough House, London, to advance cooperation between Sierra Leone and the 56-member organization.

The talks followed up on an earlier engagement in May between President Julius Maada Bio and Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, underscoring Sierra Leone’s drive to strengthen diplomatic, economic and development ties within the Commonwealth framework.

Welcoming the Vice President, Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey commended President Bio on his recent appointment as ECOWAS Chairman and praised Sierra Leone’s growing leadership role in regional and global affairs.

“Sierra Leone is demonstrating strong leadership at a crucial time for West Africa,” Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey noted. “The Commonwealth remains committed to supporting your country’s journey towards peace, democracy and sustainable development.”

Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh expressed gratitude for the Commonwealth’s continued support, particularly in education, capacity-building and institutional reforms.

“Under President Bio’s Big Five Agenda, we are determined to accelerate national transformation while making meaningful contributions to global peace and security as we conclude our UN Security Council term,” he stated.

A key point of the discussions was Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s proposal to establish a Commonwealth Ambassadors and High Commissioners Group to improve diplomatic coordination among member states. Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey welcomed the idea and pledged support for Sierra Leone’s justice sector reforms through legal training, professional exchanges and institutional strengthening.

The Vice President was accompanied by H.E. Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the UK;  Yvonne King Odigboh, Deputy High Commissioner; Mr. Mohamed Kapu Lungay and Ms. Mbalia Sankoh.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expand collaboration in justice, education, trade and diplomacy while promoting the Commonwealth’s shared values of democracy, good governance and sustainable development. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/vice-president-engages-commonwealth-secretary-general-on-strategic-cooperation/