By Samuel Hinga Norman
Freetown, 19th August, 2026– The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has ushered in a new chapter following the formal handing-over ceremony between outgoing Minister Alhaji Timothy Kabba and his successor, Mohamed Rahman Swarray.
The ceremony, held at the Ministry’s Conference Centre, brought together senior officials and staff of the Ministry, Directors-General, family members and friends of both ministers, as well as members of the media. The transition marks the end of Kabba’s tenure, which began in August 2023, and the start of Swarray’s leadership of Sierra Leone’s foreign affairs portfolio.
In his farewell remarks, Kabba described the occasion as the conclusion of an important chapter in his public service career. “Today marks the end of a chapter which ends my era as a minister of the ministry.” Kabba, who will now serve as Adviser to President Julius Maada Bio, expressed confidence in the appointment of his successor, describing President Bio as an effective manager of human resources. “The President is the best human resources manager, and he has not made any mistake by appointing Mohamed Rahman Swarray as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.”
Speaking highly of Swarray, Kabba added:
“I have no doubt that he’ll do well and perhaps even better than myself.” Kabba also extended appreciation to the Director-General, senior officials and staff of the Ministry, crediting the collective efforts of the institution for the achievements recorded during his tenure. “I am ending this journey with my chin up and my face straight because of the successes we all attained as a country, as a ministry and as a people.”
He urged Swarray to build on the progress already made, saying: “Mr Mohamed Rahman Swarray, to advance Sierra Leone’s foreign policy and to consolidate and build on what we’ve attained together as a ministry and as a country.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Kabba pointed to several developments he described as significant milestones for Sierra Leone’s diplomacy. Among them, he highlighted Sierra Leone’s hosting of the ECOWAS Summit, which he described as the first such summit in 53 years, since the country hosted the OAU. He also cited Sierra Leone’s consecutive elections to the African Union Peace and Security Council and the strengthening of the country’s multilateral diplomatic engagements. Kabba further highlighted the establishment of four Sierra Leonean diplomatic missions overseas in France, Nigeria, Ireland and Doha-Qatar, while noting that several countries had also established or re-established diplomatic missions in Sierra Leone, including Iceland, Morocco, South Korea and Russia, with Bangladesh pending.
On Sierra Leone’s multilateral engagements, Kabba noted that the country currently serves as coordinator of the C10 within the African Union, was elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and, during its chairmanship role within ECOWAS, successfully hosted the regional summit. As he handed over the ministry, Kabba reminded Swarray that his tenure begins at a critical time for international relations, with global insecurity and climate change continuing to affect countries and regions worldwide. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence in the leadership of President Bio and his successor to navigate the changing global environment. For Kabba, his service as Foreign Affairs Minister was both a privilege and a collective achievement.
In accepting the responsibility, Mohamed Rahman Swarray expressed humility and gratitude to President Bio for the confidence placed in him. “I accept this great responsibility with humility and with a profound sense of duty and thank His Excellency Rtd. Brigadier General Dr Julius Maada Bio for the confidence placed in me.” Swarray acknowledged the achievements recorded under Kabba’s leadership and said they provide an important foundation for the work ahead. “These are important wins to provide a strong foundation on which we must build. My task is therefore not to start afresh but to consolidate these achievements, deepen our partnerships and take Sierra Leone to the next higher level.” The incoming minister also pledged to draw on the experience of his predecessors and work with them to ensure continuity and further progress in Sierra Leone’s foreign policy and international cooperation. The handing-over ceremony therefore represented more than a change of ministerial leadership. It signalled continuity in Sierra Leone’s diplomatic engagements while opening a new phase under Swarray’s leadership.
As Timothy Kabba closes his chapter at the Ministry with an expression of gratitude and confidence in the work accomplished, Mohamed Rahman Swarray begins his tenure with a commitment to consolidate those gains, strengthen international partnerships and further advance Sierra Leone’s interests on the global stage. For the country and its people, the transition comes at a time when effective diplomacy, international cooperation and strategic partnerships remain critical to addressing global insecurity, climate change, economic challenges and Sierra Leone’s development priorities. The responsibility now rests with the new leadership to build on the foundation laid, while ensuring that Sierra Leone’s voice remains strong and its interests firmly represented within the international community.
