Mohamed Rahman Swarray has formally assumed office as Sierra Leone’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, succeeding Timothy Kabba, who has served in the position since August 2023.
The formal transition took place on Monday, August 17, during a handing-over ceremony at the Conference Centre in the Ministry of Foreign, Tower Hill in Freetown, attended by senior officials and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Outgoing Minister Timothy Kabba used the occasion to reflect on his three-year tenure, highlighting what he described as significant milestones in Sierra Leone’s diplomatic engagement and international relations.
Kabba said his tenure saw Sierra Leone return to the United Nations Security Council after more than five decades, including serving as president of the Council during its rotational presidency.
He also highlighted Sierra Leone’s chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for the 2025–2026 period and the successful hosting of the ECOWAS Summit in Freetown.
According to Kabba, the country also strengthened its diplomatic presence abroad during his tenure, with the establishment or reopening of embassies in countries including France, Algeria, Ireland and Qatar.
He further pointed to the opening of several foreign diplomatic missions in Freetown, describing the developments as evidence of Sierra Leone’s growing international engagement.
Kabba said the Ministry also made progress in improving diplomatic infrastructure, including the construction and rehabilitation of chancery buildings in several countries.
He expressed confidence in Swarray’s ability to lead the ministry, describing him as a colleague with whom he had worked closely and assuring him of his continued support.
“Mr. Swarray, this is testament to the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio,” Kabba said, while encouraging his successor to build on the achievements of the ministry.
For his part, Minister Mohamed Rahman Swarray thanked President Julius Maada Bio for the confidence placed in him and acknowledged the work done under Kabba’s leadership.
Swarray said his responsibility was not to start afresh, but to consolidate the gains already made, deepen Sierra Leone’s international partnerships and take the country’s diplomacy to the next level.
He cited Sierra Leone’s return to the UN Security Council, its chairmanship of ECOWAS and the successful hosting of the regional summit as important foundations for his tenure.
“My task is therefore not to start afresh, but to consolidate these achievements, deepen our partnerships, and take our diplomacy to the next level,” Swarray said.
The new minister also acknowledged the challenges facing the international system, including what he described as an emerging global order and growing pressure on democracy.
He said the ministry would need to rely on consultation, experience and institutional collaboration to navigate the changing international environment.
Swarray further said Sierra Leone’s diplomacy must ultimately translate into tangible benefits for citizens through peace, investment, development, cooperation, trade and opportunities.
The Ministry’s Director General, Alan Logan, welcomed Swarray and commended Kabba and former Deputy Minister Francess Piagie Alghali for their service, noting that both had been appointed to other national and regional responsibilities.
Logan said the ministry remained committed to professionalism and institutional continuity, assuring the new minister of the full support and cooperation of its management and staff.
With the formal handover now complete, Swarray begins his tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation with a pledge to build on Sierra Leone’s recent diplomatic gains while advancing the country’s foreign policy interests in an increasingly complex global environment.
