President Julius Maada Bio and Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema have agreed to deepen cooperation between Sierra Leone and Gabon through a structured strategic partnership.

Table Of Content

Three priorities for implementation
Maritime security and resource management
Wider African issues

Bio received Oligui Nguema and his delegation at State House, where the two presidents held high-level bilateral discussions. Their talks covered natural resources, agriculture, maritime security, trade and democratic governance.

Three priorities for implementation

Bio proposed three immediate priorities for moving the relationship forward. They include putting the Sierra Leone-Gabon Joint Communiqué for Cooperation into operation, beginning structured collaboration in natural resources, agriculture and maritime security, and preparing a time-bound implementation roadmap through the foreign ministries of both countries.

He also called for stronger engagement among investment-promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and private-sector representatives. The discussions included proposals to improve air connectivity, make travel easier and reduce obstacles to trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Bio welcomed potential Gabonese investment in agriculture, mining, fisheries, energy, infrastructure, tourism and logistics. He also encouraged Sierra Leonean businesses to examine opportunities in Gabon.

Describing the next phase of relations as “a more ambitious chapter”, Bio said: “Our longstanding friendship should now evolve into a structured and results-oriented strategic partnership.”

Maritime security and resource management

Oligui Nguema said the discussions provided an opportunity to assess existing cooperation and identify additional areas for collaboration.

He called for closer action against illegal fishing, improved sustainable management of natural resources and stronger maritime security across the Gulf of Guinea.

Bio said both countries, as resource-rich African nations, had a shared responsibility to ensure that natural wealth contributes to employment, public revenue, industrial development and better living standards.

The proposed cooperation also includes finalising priority agreements, appointing focal points and setting clear timelines for implementation.

Wider African issues

Oligui Nguema expressed appreciation for Sierra Leone’s support for Gabon’s representation on the African Union Peace and Security Council. He also said continued dialogue should remain the preferred way of addressing challenges involving the Alliance of Sahel States.

He reiterated the need for a peaceful resolution to the continuing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bio highlighted the historical ties between Freetown and Libreville, describing both cities as having been founded as symbols of freedom and hope. He also congratulated Oligui Nguema on his election and Gabon’s peaceful return to constitutional governance.

The bilateral engagement ended with both presidents reaffirming their intention to convert the longstanding friendship between Sierra Leone and Gabon into a strategic partnership.