Freetown: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has welcomed the opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of C´te d'Ivoire in Freetown, describing the development as an important step toward stronger diplomatic, trade, and regional cooperation between Sierra Leone and C´te d'Ivoire.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, senior government officials and Ivorian officials were present during a ceremony marking the formal assumption of office by Mr. Mohinder Bir Singh Sachdeva as Honorary Consul of the Republic of C´te d'Ivoire in Sierra Leone, on the 5th June, 2026 in Freetown. The event followed the presentation of his instruments of office by C´te d'Ivoire's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Liberia and Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Madam M'Brah A. Georgette. The ceremony brought together government ministers, members of parliament, diplomats, and representatives of international organizations and members of the consular corps.
In his remarks, Mr. Sachdeva said he was honoured by the appointment and pledged to serve with integrity, dedication and respect for the values of peace, unity and prosperity. He thanked the President of C´te d'Ivoire, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Georgette for the confidence placed in him. He also thanked the Government and people of Sierra Leone for their warm welcome and said he would work to expand cooperation in trade, culture, education and people-to-people engagement. He assured members of the Ivorian community in Sierra Leone that his office would remain open to support and protect their interests.
Director of Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Saifu George, welcomed Ambassador Georgette and congratulated Mr. Sachdeva on the opening of the Honorary Consulate in Freetown and the formal handover of consular responsibilities. Director George said the initiative represented more than a diplomatic transition, describing it as a reflection of the strong fraternal ties between Sierra Leone and C´te d'Ivoire within the Mano River Basin and the ECOWAS region. He said the Honorary Consulate would help promote the interests of both governments, their business communities and their peoples.
Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh also welcomed C´te d'Ivoire's stronger diplomatic presence in Sierra Leone, saying the move aligned with broader regional goals under ECOWAS and the Mano River Union. He said both countries were already linked through growing trade and regional energy cooperation, including the CLSG transmission line connecting C´te d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Dr. Sengeh further called for renewed efforts to restore Air C´te d'Ivoire flights to Sierra Leone, describing direct air links between Freetown and Abidjan as vital to improving travel, commerce and bilateral engagement.
Officials at the ceremony said the appointment of an honorary consul would help deepen relations between C´te d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone at a time when both countries are pursuing closer regional integration and stronger economic cooperation.
