A high-profile United States Congressional delegation on Saturday night arrived in Freetown as part of a four-nation West Africa tour.
The delegation headed by Representative Gregory W. Meeks, who is the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, landed at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi at around 10pm. They were received by a high-powered Sierra Leone government delegation, among them Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. David Frances.
The Resident Minister Northwest, Alpha Kanu, was also part of the officials who received the guests at the airport. The Sierra Leoneans were introduced to the visitors by US Ambassador David Reimer.
Part of the six men and women entourage of Mr Meeks are Representatives Ami Bera, Ilhan Omar, Joyce Beatty, G.K. Butterfield, Brenda Lawrence, and Troy Carter, according to a press statement from the office of the US Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee, which also indicated that the delegation is also visiting Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tanzania in East Africa.
The statement said in Sierra Leone, the delegation is scheduled to meet with President Julius Maada Bio, his Cabinet and other government officials, as well as opposition leaders, members of the civil society and NGOs.
The Americans are also scheduled to visit Bunce Island, a former slave trading port, where public remarks will be given.
As statement from the Ministry of Information and Communication in Freetown said the delegation will assess US government policies and US-funded programmes in the country and explore areas for further cooperation.
Other reports indicate that the head of the US delegation, Meeks, had traced his DNA to Sierra Leone and that he was scheduled to be crowned a ceremonial Paramount Chief by President Bio during their two day stay in the country.
In Liberia, the delegation will meet with President George Weah and other members of the Liberian government. They will also attend a roundtable event to discuss good governance and accountability and participate in the country’s ongoing Bicentennial commemoration.
In Cote d’Ivoire, the delegation is scheduled to hold similar engagements, including meetings with President Alassane Ouattara and other top government officials.
While in Abidjan they Americans will also meet with the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and observe U.S. Africa Command’s annual military exercise – FLINTLOCK.
In Tanzania, the delegation will meet with Prime Minister Kaasim Majaliwa, who is an alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative, as well as conservation officials and partners.
