Embassies
- General
- Internal
- External
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation is responsible for facilitating and coordinating Sierra Leone’s international relations. The country’s foreign policy espouses non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, non-alignment and national self-interest. Sierra Leone is expanding bilateral relations with the international community through its embassies and is a member of the United Nations with permanent missions in Geneva and New York and also a member of the Commonwealth and the African Union (AU).
Sierra Leone is continually developing bilateral cooperation with the world community and has around 13 foreign embassies, high commissions and consulates are located in the country, all of which are located in Freetown, the capital. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) provides humanitarian support to Sierra Leone through organisations such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme. Canada assisted with the rebuilding of Sierra Leone, contributing about $34 million through various forms of assistance since 1999 (2008). The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) through its embassy in the country has focussed on tackling youth exclusion and HIV and AIDS in ten districts of Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone maintains embassies and consulates in over 20 countries around the world. As a member of the United Nations, Sierra Leone works towards international economic development, security and peace and maintains a permanent mission in New York, USA and Geneva, Switzerland. To strengthen Sierra Leone’s commitment to promoting African unity, and its support of regional economic integration, the country maintains embassies in several African countries. Embassies and other foreign missions can be contacted for information on consular matters such as visas, passports and travel.