Sierra Leone's Ambassador Suggests Visa-Free Regime With Russia
16:27 05.08.2023 (Updated: 16:37 05.08.2023)
© AFP 2023 ISSOUF SANOGO
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Russia's diplomatic relations with Sierra Leone date back to the early 1960s during the Soviet era, but currently Moscow does not have a diplomatic mission in Freetown. Instead, Russia is represented in Sierra Leone by its embassy in Conakry, Guinea.
Freetown and Moscow should hold talks on introducing a visa-free regime between the countries, Sierra Leone's Ambassador to Russia Mohamed Yongawo has told Sputnik.
"It would be worthwhile to hold talks with the Russian side on this issue. Russians can get a visa on arrival, right at the airport. There is no need to go to the embassy to get it," Yongawo said when asked about visa-free travel with Russia.
The diplomat added that Sierra Leone is one of the safest countries on the African continent for tourism.
"Sierra Leone is 99.9 percent safe. Our people are among the most hospitable in the world... we welcome all who wish to visit the country," the ambassador stressed.
According to him, Sierra Leone has the best beaches in the world, and Russians who visit say they have "never been to such a hospitable and beautiful country."
"I don't think there are beaches like this anywhere in Europe. That is why I always invite Russians to Sierra Leone. Let them see everything with their own eyes," Yongawo said.
Safe Despite Coup Attempt
Ambassador to Russia Mohamed Yongawo told Sputnik that the situation with security in Sierra Leone is stable and there are no protests in the country.
This comes on the heels of news that Sierra Leonean police had arrested senior army officers suspected of preparing an "attack on state institutions" in the country, which held disputed elections about a month ago. The suspects were reportedly planning to use supposedly peaceful protests from August 7 to 10 as a cover for the attacks.
"We cannot say there is any unrest or protests going on in the country. There are no problems at all. Of course, like all countries, we cannot guarantee 100 percent security, but I assure you that Sierra Leone is 99.9 percent safe," Yongawo said.
However, he did not rule out the possibility that some countries might be interested in stirring up political discord in Sierra Leone.
"But you shouldn't be afraid to fly to us because of what's being said on social media, it's all rumors... It's not a reason not to come to Sierra Leone. We are very safe, everybody is welcome," he said.
He stated that the elections held in the country were fair and transparent, with the participation of all candidates, including the opposition.
Boosting Diplomatic Ties With Russia
The ambassador of Sierra Leone told Sputnik that, according to his information, Moscow is considering the possibility of opening a Russian embassy in the capital of his country, Freetown.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the Russia-Africa Summit held in St. Petersburg in late July that Russian embassies in Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso will resume work in the near future. According to the president, Moscow is ready to open more diplomatic missions in African countries and increase their staff.
Russia's diplomatic relations with Sierra Leone date back to the early 1960s during the Soviet era, but currently Moscow does not have a diplomatic mission in Freetown. Instead, Russia is represented in Sierra Leone by its embassy in Conakry, Guinea.
"During my meetings with officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry, there were signals that Moscow plans to reopen an embassy in the capital of Sierra Leone. I believe this is being worked out in the Russian Foreign Ministry," Yongawo said.
The ambassador noted that Freetown would welcome Russia's decision to reopen its diplomatic mission, adding that such a move would allow the citizens of Sierra Leone, especially students, to stop traveling to Guinea to obtain visas for Russia.
Yongawo recalled that before the civil war in Sierra Leone (1991-2002), there was not only a diplomatic mission in the country, but also a cultural center, and now the country would be happy to see such a center reopened as well.
"Our students who are going to study in the Russian Federation would be happy to have the opportunity to learn Russian and familiarize themselves with Russian culture before they even arrive in the country," Yongawo said.
While noting the long history of bilateral relations, the ambassador emphasized that his country "will continue to build friendly relations with the Russian Federation for the mutual benefit of both countries."
Russian Fertilizers
The diplomat said that Sierra Leone would like to receive Russian fertilizer. He noted that the Russian Federation produces some of the best fertilizers in the world, and Freetown needs them.
"You cannot talk about food security without fertilizers. Russia has offered to supply them free of charge to some African countries. Sierra Leone would also like to receive fertilizers, if not for free, then at least within the framework of business cooperation," Yongawo said. "We would like to discuss this with Russia."
Asked about Freetown's assessment of the non-implementation of the Russian-UN memorandum known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, or simply the grain deal, aimed at facilitating Ukraine's grain exports, the ambassador said food security, particularly the grain issue, affects the interests of the poorest countries and the world as a whole.
"We call on all parties to abide by the agreements," Yongawo stressed. "If food is not exported, it leads to higher prices. Sanctions also affect them."
In particular, he noted that Sierra Leone is experiencing food supply disruptions.
"If there are disruptions in transportation by sea, countries like Sierra Leone are affected. They lead to price increases," Yongawo stated.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, commonly known as the Grain Deal, provided for a humanitarian corridor to export Ukrainian grain to countries in need amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It was suspended in mid-July after several extensions, with Moscow finally suspending its participation in the deal due to non-compliance with Russia's terms of the agreement.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow was ready to provide the needy countries with all the grain intended for them under the grain deal free of charge.
Russia-Sierra Leone Cooperation
The ambassador of Sierra Leone to Russia also expressed interest in partnering with Russian geological exploration company Rosgeologia, and said Freetown had contacted Russian aluminum producer Rusal and Russian diamond mining company Alrosa before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The envoy added that Freetown would welcome the participation of the Russian oil company Lukoil in the development of oil fields in the West African country.
"You cannot do business in oil production ignoring the existence of Lukoil or Rosneft. We would welcome Lukoil's participation in oil development in Sierra Leone," Ambassador Yongawo said.
Likewise, he noted that his country had already received 100 garbage trucks from the Russian automobile manufacturer GAZ and is expecting another 100. He thanked Moscow for the delivery and praised the quality of the trucks.
He also said the Sierra Leonean side had proposed resuming the agreement on a working group on energy between Moscow and Freetown.
