Sierra Leone Roundup: Railway project, military partnership, diabetes care
Iron ore railway locos
President Julius Maada Bio unveiled 10 diesel locomotives supplied by CRRC Ziyang for a 197 km railway linking an Iron Mine in Mafuri, located in the northern province with the port of Pepel, located 24km away from the nation’s capital Freetown. The 1,067 mm gauge locos have a 3,680 kW medium-speed diesel engine and AC transmission and can haul 10,000-tonne trains, according to the Railway Gazette. CRRC stated that the delivery of the locos is an example of China’s high-end equipment going global and assisting China-Africa to jointly build the Belt & Road Initiative with high quality.
Partnership with Michigan National Guard
Sierra Leone's Armed Forces are joining the State Partnership Program with the Michigan National Guard and the Armed Forces of Liberia, according to the US Army. This trilateral partnership aims to address security challenges in West Africa. “This expansion is good news for each of our organisations. Welcoming Sierra Leone to our partnership in West Africa will provide new opportunities to address security challenges through a trilateral approach. Michigan sees this as a new chapter in the history of one incredibly meaningful regional partnership,” said Michigan National Guard adjutant general Major General Paul Rogers. According to the US Army, the partnership will focus on defence and security cooperation, with a signing ceremony planned for late 2024.
US, Sierra Leone joint naval exercise
The US, Sierra Leone, and partner nations completed the joint naval exercise, Obangame Express 2024. The exercise aims to improve maritime security and cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea to counter piracy, illicit trafficking, and illegal fishing, and ensure freedom to navigate the seas, the Sierra Leone Telegraph reports. The US Navy worked closely with the Sierra Leone Navy and other national agencies to train and evaluate their forces. According to the Sierra Leone Telegraph, the exercise also enhanced interoperability and collaboration among national agencies and the sub-region.
Diabetes care
The Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) Forum UK has raised over £3,000 to improve diabetes care in Sierra Leone. During a recent visit, they provided healthcare teams with resources and education, dispelling myths about diabetes. The money raised will fund a diabetes nurse in Madina, where cases of diabetes are rising. People can still donate to the fundraiser.
Cooperation agreement with Egypt
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Agency for Organisation and Administration (CAOA) in Egypt to strengthen cooperation. According to Egypt Today, the MoU signed by Egypt's Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly aims to build upon recent positive developments in bilateral relations and support Sierra Leone's public administration through relevant Egyptian institutions.
