Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Russia Mohamed Yongawo has called on the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov to lift travel restrictions in order to allow Sierra Leonean students on scholarship in Russia to commence studies.
According to the Information Attache’ at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Moscow, Festus Lahai, the Ambassador made the call during an engagement with Bogdanvo who also doubles as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“I am very grateful to the Russian Government and particularly RUDN University for their support in awarding medical Scholarships to our citizens. I am however pleading with the Russia Government to consider lifting the travel restrictions so that Sierra Leonean students who have been awarded scholarships are able to travel to Russia to commence their studies, as we understand the travelling restrictions have been lifted for few countries,’’ he pleaded.
The meeting was aimed at discussing matters of mutual interest to Sierra Leone and the Russian Federation in light of the need for both countries to strengthen bilateral ties and International Cooperation.
Speaking on behalf of President Bio, the Government and the People of Sierra Leone, Ambassador Yongawo thanked President Putin, the Government and the People of Russia for their continued support to Sierra Leone since both countries entered bilateral relations some 59 years ago.
He also lauded the opportunity given to students during this period to access lectures online.
The Ambassador used the occasion to reiterate President Bio’s key priority areas which he said included but not limited to energy, transportation, human capital development (Education and Skills Training), fisheries, infrastructural development and mining among others.
He appealed for Russia to consider reopening its Embassy in Freetown or have a Consulate that will be capacitated to issue Visas to Sierra Leoneans and others who may want to travel to the Russian Federation especially now that lots of Russians are engaged in business in Sierra Leone.
He registered the appreciation of President Bio, the government and the People of Sierra Leone for the support of the Russia Federation in the fight against COVID-19, with 10,000 test kits and the free 50 garbage trucks donated to the country.
Ambassador Yongawo acknowledged the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry and the African Affairs Department for their support to him in carrying out his duties in Moscow.
In his statement, the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov assured Ambassador Yongawo of his government’s commitment to continuing the bilateral relations with Sierra Leone.
He also used the meeting to speak about the possibility of Africa hosting the next Russia-Africa Summit in 2022, adding that consultations were ongoing and that in the nearest future, the government of Sierra Leone will be updated.
Both dignitaries shared memories of the 2019 October 'Russia-Africa Summit’ in Sochi and the possible future official visits of Minister Nabeela Tunis and Bio to the Russia Federation and the benefits of such visits to both nations.
Ambassador Yongawo was accompanied by Dennis Nicol, Head of Chancery.
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