By Saio Marrah
Parliament of Sierra Leone has unanimously ratified a Visa-Free travel agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Sierra Leone for holders of diplomatic or service passports.
The minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis, in an interview with pressmen in parliament on Tuesday 9th November 2021, said this is the first time a super world power country has agreed for a visa-free passport with Sierra Leone.
He said the benefit of such is that it will save them time, resources, and all the hassles involved in getting the visa for the diplomats.
He added that it will also provide trade and investment opportunities and subsequently lead to the creation of the Russian Embassy in Sierra Leone.
A member of parliament from the main opposition, Mohamed Bangura, of constituency 066, Karene District, having commended the minister for such great work, called on the minister to revisit the agreement and make sure that the visa-free agreement is also extended to other Sierra Leoneans without the diplomatic or service passport. He also called on the minister to extend the visa-free travel agreement to the United Kingdom for Sierra Leoneans.
An independent candidate, Quintin Salia Konneh of constituency 007, Kailahun District, urged the diplomatic and service passport holders not to misuse the opportunity. Konneh also called on the government not to misuse the issuance of diplomatic passports.
Speaking on the extension of the visa-free agreement to non-diplomats, Professor Francis, said that it is a process that has just begun and that they will push for it to be extended to other Sierra Leoneans.
He added that the ministry will try to extend such an agreement to other bilateral and multilateral member states.
The Paramount Chief Member of parliament from the Tonkolili District, Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III, said most of the doctors and engineers in Sierra Leone studied in Russia.
He also pleaded to the foreign minister to make good use of the bilateral relationship with Russia for Sierra Leone to have more scholarships in areas like mathematics, engineering, technology, and medicine, noting the importance of technology.
The paramount Chief said that Sierra Leone is an independent state that has the right to make friends with whomsoever it wishes.
Copyright © Politico Online 12/11/21
