Monrovia, Liberia - The President of the Republic, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, Thursday, March 7, 2019, received a letter of credence from Mr. Eddie S. Massallay, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sierra Leone to Liberia.

The Liberian leader used the occasion to extol the multiple decades of strong relations between Liberia and Sierra Leone, particularly the role of Sierra Leone in bringing peace and stability to Liberia, including hosting hundreds of thousands of Liberian refugees during that bleak period.

He described his Sierra Leonean counterpart, President Julius Maada Bio, as a true friend and brother who shares common vision and convictions about peace, unity and development not only in the Mano River Basin but also within ECOWAS and the Africa Union.

President Weah noted that Liberia and Sierra Leone have come a long way and united by shared history and tradition fostered through mutual respect and interest for each other.

He expressed that Amb. Massally’s assignment in Liberia would help nurture and keep the cherished relations between the two countries buoyant and fruitful.

The Liberian Chief Executive stressed the importance of consolidating peace and stability as both countries are steadily recovering from ruinous civil wars that decimated their populations and damaged their economic growth and development.

The Liberian President indicated that the presence in Liberia of thousands of Sierra Leoneans signifies the uniqueness of the bond of friendship subsisting between the two countries.

He also recalled consulting with President Maada Bio when several Sierra Leoneans decided to take Liberian nationality.   

President Weah encouraged the new Sierra Leonean envoy to justify the confidence reposed in him by working towards furthering the historic ties between the two countries.

He also thanked the people of Sierra Leone for the peaceful elections that gave way to the birth the present government.

For his part, Ambassador Massally said he was overwhelmed being in Liberia and presenting his letter of credence to President Weah.

He stated that the relationship between Liberia and Sierra Lone came into being long before Presidents Weah and Maada Bio came to power, adding, “The relation is not anybody’s making, but God’s.”

Ambassador Massally promised that he and his team would work toward strengthening Sierra Leone’s ties with Liberia, something he said he has started to work on.