- 9/20/2023
Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, during his speech on the third day of the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, said that constructive dialogue should be one of the fundamental pillars of our international relations, not unilateral coercive measures that do not help to strengthen democracy. teleSUR
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00:00 The end of Sierra Leone addresses the general debate of the 17th heavy station of the General
00:08 Assembly.
00:09 Your Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, Excellencies,
00:23 Colleagues, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Excellency, permit me to extend my heartfelt
00:32 congratulations on your auspicious assumption of the Presidency of the 78th session of the
00:39 General Assembly.
00:43 My delegation and I stand unwaveringly by your side, committed to fortifying the bedrock
00:51 of global unity during your tenure.
00:56 I offer my profound respect and gratitude to your predecessor, Mr. Szaba Kurusi of Hungary,
01:05 whose depth stewardship of the 77th session is a guiding beacon for all.
01:13 To our esteemed Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, your dedication to weaving together
01:21 the strands of global consensus for battling poverty, planetary crises, and championing
01:28 sustainable development goal is a testament to your leadership.
01:35 Mr. President, the soul of Sierra Leone, echoing the spirit of Pan-Africanism, resonates with
01:44 the clarion call of this year's theme, "Rebuild Trust and Reignite Global Solidarity."
01:53 A testament to our enduring democratic spirit was showcased on June 24th when in free, fair
02:05 and peaceful multi-tier elections, the Sierra Leonean people elected their leaders across
02:11 various tiers of governance.
02:15 My re-election as President for a second, final term, starts not merely as an endorsement
02:23 of my leadership, but a solemn testament to my government's commitment to fashioning
02:30 a Sierra Leone that thrives as a united, peaceful, and dynamic bastion of hope and opportunity.
02:39 A nation where our aspirations for abundant jobs, food security, quality education, and
02:46 equitable health care are not mere dreams, but manifest realities.
02:53 Where justice and opportunities are not mere prerogatives of a few, but the birthright
03:01 of all.
03:04 Mr. President, in the face of global upheavals, from the pandemic to geopolitical tensions
03:11 exemplified by the war in Ukraine and the ensuing food crisis, my first term stood as
03:18 a beacon of our commitment to democratic freedoms and human rights.
03:26 We rooted out the unpleasant legacies of the past, repealing antiquated laws such as the
03:33 seditious libis statute that lingered for half a century.
03:39 We consigned the death penalty to the honors of history and charted bold advances against
03:45 the scourge of corruption.
03:49 Our devotion to education was unambiguous.
03:53 Over 800,000 new learners were introduced under our aegis, and we significantly augmented
04:01 domestic educational funding, ensuring it constituted an average of 22% of our national
04:08 budget.
04:11 We champion an ethos of radical inclusion, providing unfettered and tuition-free access
04:18 to quality primary and secondary school education for all.
04:25 In our unwavering commitment to dismantle the barriers of gender inequality, my administration
04:32 declared a state of emergency on the heinous crime of rape and sexual and gender-based
04:38 violence.
04:39 Sierra Leone urged the global community for solidarity on access to justice and remedies
04:46 for survivors of sexual violence and the recognition of November 18 by this General Assembly as
04:54 World Day for the Prevention of Healing from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence.
05:04 Our Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Act of 2022 shows our commitment to equality.
05:12 With this act, I have proudly inscribed our nation's pledge to reserve a minimum of 30%
05:20 of seats in elected and appointed offices for women, ensuring equal employment opportunities,
05:29 strengthening maternity leave, and compelling our financial institutions to chart pathways
05:37 that amplify women's access to financial resources that they so rightfully deserve.
05:45 As I step into my second term, Mr. President, my government has carved out five pillars
05:53 that guide our national development trajectory to support sustainable development and social
05:59 progress.
06:02 Food security.
06:03 One, food security.
06:06 Intertwined with investment in agriculture, it's poised to not just feed our nation, but
06:16 to fear job creation, propel economic growth, and alleviate the weight of poverty.
06:24 Two, human capital development, meticulously crafted for the modern era with a special
06:31 lens for gender equality.
06:34 Three, youth employment scheme.
06:37 This promises our younger generation that their energy, passion, and ambition will find
06:44 fertile ground in Sierra Leone.
06:47 Four, cutting-edge technology and infrastructure program.
06:52 This is conceptualized to pave sustainable pathways of economic ascent.
07:01 And five, a thorough revamp of public service architecture, refining its essence for utmost
07:12 efficiency, professionalism, and service delivery.
07:17 SDGs towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.
07:26 Mr. President, 78 years ago, the United Nations was born from the profound understanding that
07:34 peace, development, and human rights are inextricably intertwined.
07:40 Each element nourishes the other, creating an equilibrium essential for global harmony.
07:48 As we stand at this juncture, let us remember that the noble ambitions enshrined in the
07:55 Charter of the United Nations to foster international cooperation, to confront and surmount challenges,
08:03 be they economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian in nature.
08:10 It is in unity and shared purpose that the promise of a brighter, just, and peaceful
08:16 world is realized.
08:20 The resonant theme of this General Assembly, therefore, opens a horizon of possibilities,
08:27 beckoning us to harmoniously forge ahead in the shared pursuit of accelerating actions
08:34 on the 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals towards peace, prosperity, progress,
08:42 and enduring sustainability for all.
08:46 Our world faces formidable challenges, widespread poverty, persistent hunger, the looming shadow
08:54 of climate change, and the unsettling presence of sustained and emerging conflicts.
09:02 To honor our 2030 Agenda for sustainable development commitment, member states of the United Nations
09:09 must rekindle the fires of trust and galvanize a renaissance of global solidarity.
09:17 Trust requires a harmonious amalgamation of our collective wisdom and resources.
09:27 Solidarity mandates our unwavering cohesion, even when navigating different and opposing
09:33 philosophical terrains.
09:37 In pursuing the 2030 Agenda, we must resolve to leave no one behind.
09:45 We must fervently champion inclusivity, recognizing the intrinsic value of every individual, irrespective
09:54 of their circumstances.
09:58 Progress has been made, but we acknowledge that the road ahead is challenging.
10:03 However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for innovation and collaboration and reimagining
10:11 our global priorities.
10:16 Echo us, regionals, peace and security.
10:18 Mr. President, we view with deep concern the rising tides of insecurity and the subtle
10:26 erosion of democratic governance and ideas in the West African sub-region and the Sahel.
10:34 Sierra Leone raises its voice alongside our echoers, allies, expressing unequivocal dissent
10:41 towards an extra-constitutional changes of government.
10:46 Such challenges throw the very bedrock of our democracy, threatening the stability of
10:51 individual nations and the fabric of our collective African identity.
10:59 While we stand united, we do not come from resisting threats or building defenses.
11:04 Instead, they arise from genuine, open conversations.
11:09 True dialogue requires that everyone at the negotiating table must be ready to seek and
11:15 find common ground.
11:19 While we emphasize the importance of dialogue, we cannot ignore the crucial reality.
11:26 The ongoing threats to our continent's constitutional stability are signs of deeper problems.
11:35 Every action that undermines the rule of law is connected to underlying issues.
11:41 These range from past and present injustices to the burden of poverty, widespread unemployment
11:50 and the dangers of discrimination.
11:55 Our duty is clear.
11:57 We must lift our people from poverty.
12:01 We should focus on creating jobs and supporting industries that benefit our countries and
12:07 our continent.
12:11 Mr. President, National electoral reforms, elections as vehicles of democratic transformation,
12:21 fortify governance and allow peaceful transitions.
12:25 After our nation's multi-tier elections on June 24th, we stand resolved to strengthen
12:33 our democratic foundation, recognizing the significance of deepening our democracy.
12:41 I have instituted a National Electoral Systems Review Committee to address historical challenges
12:48 to our electoral processes.
12:53 Since our first multi-tier elections we have conducted after the Civil War in 2002, the
13:00 election process has been plagued with persistent challenges, including contestations of declared
13:09 presidential election results by the constitutionally mandated Electoral Commissioner.
13:16 To address these historical challenges and consolidate our democratic gains, a comprehensive
13:25 review of the electoral system is necessary to reform Sierra Leone's electoral landscape.
13:33 The National Electoral Systems Review Committee will comprise the government, civil society,
13:39 political parties, professional organizations and development partners.
13:45 It holds the mantle of evaluating existing framework, institutional arrangements and
13:52 observer mission reports.
13:55 Its mandate extends to proposing vital reforms fortifying Sierra Leone's electoral integrity.
14:03 These actions encapsulate our commitment to forging a fertile environment for dialogue,
14:10 affirming democratic governance and fostering enduring peace.
14:17 Mr. President, it is regrettable to note the decision of certain member states to introduce
14:25 unilateral cohesive measures, including visa restrictions on Sierra Leonean citizens following
14:33 the recent multi-tier national elections.
14:37 We observe that such unilateral measures, which are in contravention of international
14:42 law, have sometimes been the response to electoral outcomes in other African nations to exact
14:50 political pressure.
14:53 As members of the international rules-based community, African states strive for sovereignty
15:00 and meaningful cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding.
15:08 In democratic processes, every democracy faces unique challenges.
15:14 However, the essence of sovereignty, as contained in the UN Chapter, is the ability of member
15:24 states to address and resolve internal matters independently and without external pressure.
15:35 In our engagement on the international stage, we hope for understanding and mutual respect,
15:41 especially on important issues like national elections.
15:46 Constructive dialogue and open channels of communication should be the pillars of our
15:51 global interaction and not punitive unilateral cohesive measures that do not further the
15:58 entrenchment of democracy, but instead strain relations between nations.
16:06 Sierra Leone remains steadfast in its commitment to free, fair, and credible elections alongside
16:12 our dedication to the rule of law.
16:16 We believe that democratic progress is a journey, and its pace varies from one nation to another.
16:29 We respect the individual paths countries have taken in their quest for democracy and
16:36 anticipate the same level of understanding and respect for ours.
16:42 We aspire to nurture relationships rooted in solidarity, cooperation, and mutual respect,
16:50 all directed towards a shared global future.
16:56 United Nations Security Tenure.
17:00 Australia takes its non-permanency at the United Nations Security for the 2024-2025
17:07 term after a hiatus of 53 years.
17:13 We are deeply aware of our shared duty to uphold international peace and security.
17:20 The profound nexus between peace, development, and human rights would be the baking guide
17:25 in our priorities.
17:27 We stand poised, resolute, and committed to forging a world where these ideas are not
17:33 mere aspirations but enduring realities for all.
17:40 Sierra Leone fully subscribes to the ideas of multilateralism as a tool for global peace
17:48 and security.
17:50 Our vision is to serve as the vital conduit linking the eco-community of the West African
17:58 states, the African Union, and the nations in focus with the Security Council.
18:09 As we yearn for tranquility and justice, we pledge our commitment to collaborate with
18:16 the five permanent members of the Security Council and as part of the ten elected members
18:23 and the three African representatives.
18:27 On behalf of the UN Security Council, Mr. President, Sierra Leone recognizes the pressing
18:33 issue of the international peace and security.
18:56 We were listening to the statements of the President of Sierra Leone and the general
19:07 debate of the 78th session of the General Assembly.
19:10 Julius Madavido described all the actions they have undertaken to improve people's
19:15 way of life in different fields, adding that they continue to work to be able to reach
19:20 development.
19:21 Madavido called on international mechanisms to adapt to face global priorities.
19:26 Stay tuned with Tele3 English for more updates on this important 78th session of the General
19:31 Debate of the United Nations General Assembly.
19:34 Thank you.
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