By Mohamed Lamin Massaquoi,Information Attachè, Sierra Leone Embassy, United Arab Emirates
Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has sent a congratulatory message to the Government and People of the United Arab Emirates, UAE on the occasion of its 51st National Day celebration.
“Hearty congratulations to my brother & friend, HH Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed, the government & people of the #UAE on your 51st National Day. I commend your strides and leadership and restate #SierraLeone’s readiness to sustain the bonds of cooperation between our two countries,” President Bio said in an official tweet.
He also used the occasion to reaffirm his determination to work closely to further advance and deepen the shared values and ambitions of the two countries.
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven Emirates formed on 2nd December, 1971. The late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the country’s first President also known as Father of the Nation for his role in the formation of the UAE. The current President is His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Government has declared a two-day holiday to allow citizens and residents celebrate the tremendous successes and achievements of the gulf-state, as part of the 51st Anniversary.
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UAE, Rashid Sesay noted: “I join my President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to express appreciation to the UAE for the great relations and to wish the leadership and people of this great nation continued peace and prosperity”.
The UAE is home to thousands of Sierra Leoneans. It is also a popular trading and tourist destination for Sierra Leoneans. At Governmental level, Sierra Leone and the UAE enjoy strong bonds of friendship and continue to collaborate in various areas of shared interest, including health, security, education and agriculture.
