Sierra Leone maintains formal relations with many Western nations. It also maintains diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Bloc countries as well as with the People's Republic of China.
The government maintains 16 embassies and high commissions around the world.
Multilateral membership
Former President Stevens' government had sought closer relations with West African countries under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The present government is continuing this effort.
Sierra Leone is a member of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, the Commonwealth, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Development Bank (AFDB), the Mano River Union (MRU), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Sierra Leone is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
Sierra Leone is a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which Sierra Leone maintains diplomatic relations with:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="3" |frameless|425x425px
|-
!#
!Country
!Date
|-
|1
|
|
|-
|2
|
|
|-
|3
|
|
|-
|4
|
|
|-
|5
|
|
|-
|6
|
|
|-
|7
|
|
|-
|8
|
|
|-
|9
|
|
|-
|10
|
|
|-
|13
|
|
|-
|14
|
|
|-
|15
|
|
|-
|16
|
|
|-
|17
|
|
|-
|21
|
|
|-
|22
|
|
|-
|23
|
|
|-
|24
|
|
|-
|26
|
|
|-
|27
|
|
|-
|28
|
|
|-
|29
|
|
|-
|30
|
|
|-
|31
|
|
|-
|32
|
|
|-
|33
|
|
|-
|34
|
|
|-
|35
|
|
|-
|36
|
|
|-
|37
|
|
|-
|38
|
|
|-
|39
|
|
|-
|40
|
|
|-
|41
|
|
|-
|42
|
|
|-
|43
|
|
|-
|44
|
|
|-
|45
|
|
|-
|46
|
|
|-
|48
|
|
|-
|50
|
|
|-
|51
|
|
|-
|52
|
|
|-
|53
|
|
|-
|54
|
|
|-
|55
|
|
|-
|56
|
|
|-
|57
|
|
|-
|58
|
|
|-
|59
|
|
|-
|60
|
|
|-
|61
|
|
|-
|62
|
|
|-
|63
|
|
|-
|64
|
|
|-
|65
|
|
|-
|66
|
|
|-
|67
|
|
|-
|68
|
|
|-
|70
|
|
|-
|71
|
|
|-
|72
|
|
|-
|73
|
|
|-
|74
|
|
|-
|75
|
|
|-
|76
|
|
|-
|77
|
|
|-
|78
|
|
|-
|79
|
|
|-
|80
|
|
|-
|81
|
|
|-
|82
|
|
|-
|83
|
|
|-
|84
|
|
|-
|85
|
|
|-
|87
|
|
|-
|88
|
|
|-
|89
|
|
|-
|90
|
|
|-
|91
|
|
|-
|92
|
|
|-
|94
|
|
|-
|95
|
|
|-
|96
|
|
|-
|97
|
|
|-
|98
|
|
|-
|102
|
|
|-
|105
|
|
|-
|106
|
|
|-
|110
|
|
|-
|113
|
|
|-
|115
|
|
|-
|116
|
|
|-
|117
|
|
|-
|118
|
|
|-
|119
|
|
|-
|120
|
|
|-
|127
|
|
|-
|128
|
|
|-
|129
|
|
|-
|130
|
|
|-
|132
|
|
|-
|135
|
|
|-
|142
|
|
|-
|148
|
|Unknown
|-
|—
|
|Unknown
|-
|149
|
|Unknown
|-
|150
|
|Unknown
|-
|151
|
|Unknown
|}
Bilateral relations
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;" | Country
! style="width:12%;" | Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|||27 April 1961||See Canada–Sierra Leone relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961.
|- valign="top"
|||29 July 1971||See China–Sierra Leone relations
China and Sierra Leone established diplomatic relations on July 29, 1971.
|- valign="top"
|||5 September 1961||See Germany–Sierra Leone relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 September 1961.
- Germany has an embassy in Freetown.
- Sierra Leone has an embassy in Berlin.
|- valign="top"
|||28 April 1961||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 April 1961
See India–Sierra Leone relations
- Sierra Leone's ambassador is accredited from Tehran and India established a resident High Commission in Freetown in 2021, having previously accrerdited its High Commissioner from Accra, Ghana.
- Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
|- valign="top"
|||15 November 1994||
- Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 November 1994
- Sierra Leone is accredited to Indonesia through its embassy in Seoul, South Korea.
- Indonesia is accredited to Sierra Leone, through its embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
|- valign="top"
|||8 June 1962||See Liberia–Sierra Leone relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 June 1962 when has been appointed first ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone Mr. Henry B. Fahnbulleh.
- The two countries signed a non-aggression pact in 2007 when Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma took office. In January 2011, an African diplomat described relations as "cordial".
|- valign="top"
|||30 June 1976||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1976
- Mexico is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Accra, Ghana.
- Sierra Leone does not have an accreditation to Mexico.
|- valign="top"
|||15 February 1971||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1971
- Sierra Leone has an embassy in Ankara.
- Turkey has an embassy in Freetown.
Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact, the Commonwealth, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement.
|- valign="top"
|||27 April 1961||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961
See Sierra Leone–United States relations
thumb|Embassy of Sierra Leone in [[Washington, D.C.]]
U.S. relations with Sierra Leone began with missionary activities in the 19th century. In 1959, the U.S. opened a consulate in Freetown and elevated it to embassy status when Sierra Leone became independent in 1961. U.S.-Sierra Leone relations today are cordial, with ethnic ties between groups in the two countries receiving increasing historical interest. Many thousands of Sierra Leoneans reside in the United States.
In fiscal year 2006, total U.S. bilateral aid to Sierra Leone in all categories were $29.538 million. U.S. assistance focused on the consolidation of peace, democracy and human rights, health education, particularly combating HIV/AIDS, and human resources development.
Currently, the Principal U.S. Official in Sierra Leone is Chargé d'Affaires Glenn Fedzer Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the U.S. is H. E. Bockari Kortu Stevens and the Sierra Leone embassy is located in Washington.
|}
Notes
See also
- List of diplomatic missions in Sierra Leone
- List of diplomatic missions of Sierra Leone
References
External links
- United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone
- "Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at the Sierra Leone Encyclopedia 2006"