By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah has confirmed that President Julius Maada Bio has given directives for opening of an Embassy in the state of Israel.
Chernor Bah made this statement during the Tuesday weekly press briefing by his ministry held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ conference room on 29th August this year.
Following President Bio’s Twitter account mentioning the need for opening an embassy in Israel, the Minister said it was indeed a credible tweet. ‘‘We want to clarify the tweet for the people of Sierra Leone and the press,’’ he went on.
He noted that Sierra Leone has enjoyed a long standing relationship with the state of Israel which dated back before independence. “Sierra Leone wants to continue to build on that relationship; not only building the relationship, but also benefiting significantly, economically and otherwise as part of this exchange,’’ Bah said.
As part of the process, he said the President has asked that they look into the opening of an embassy in Israel and vice versa.
In clarifying the venue for the building of the said embassy in Israel, the Minister said he wanted to make the point clear that it does not mean the embassy will be basedin Jerusalem.
Speaking about Sierra Leone’s position on the conflict between Israel and Palestine, Bah said Sierra Leone continues to support the United Nations position on the said matter. “The position of Sierra Leone is consistent with the position of the United Nations and the Africa Union,’’ Bah said, adding that it has not changed.
He said there has been some reporting that they take responsibility for, because the twitter post misrepresented their position, and that they were clarifying that and also encouraging journalists to join them in the same vein.
Bah charged with the responsibility of educating citizens about the government's activities, made this clarification amidst skepticism about the authenticity of the said twitter post of the President, which he confirmed to be true.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (30/08/23)
