Sierra Leone’s diplomatic footprint in Central and East Africa has been further strengthened following the formal presentation of Letters of Credence by Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Peter Kakowou Lavahun to His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda.
The ceremony, held at the Office of the President in Kigali, officially accredited Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Lavahun as Non-Resident High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Republic of Rwanda, with residence in Nairobi. Conducted in keeping with Rwanda’s established diplomatic protocol, the occasion marked both a constitutional formality and a reaffirmation of growing bilateral trust between Freetown and Kigali.
In his address, High Commissioner Lavahun delivered warm greetings from His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and the people of Sierra Leone to President Kagame and the people of Rwanda.
He described his appointment as a profound honour and pledged to work assiduously to deepen the already cordial relations between the two sister republics.
“It is my determination and fervent hope,” he stated, “that I shall succeed in my endeavours to further strengthen and deepen the already existing relationship between our two countries.”
His remarks underscored a shared diplomatic vision anchored in mutual respect, African solidarity, and strategic cooperation.
A central theme of the High Commissioner’s statement was the strong collaboration between Sierra Leone and Rwanda on continental and global governance issues. He highlighted President Bio’s role as Chairman of the African Union Committee of Ten (C-10), which advocates for Africa’s Common Position on reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Working closely with President Kagame and other African leaders, Sierra Leone continues to champion a more equitable and representative global order—one that reflects contemporary geopolitical realities and gives Africa its rightful voice in international decision-making.
This alignment between Freetown and Kigali reinforces both countries’ commitment to multilateral reform and principled African leadership.
The High Commissioner also reflected on the landmark State Visit of President Bio to Rwanda on 4 July 2019, during which several Memoranda of Understanding were signed, significantly broadening the scope of bilateral engagement
These agreements created structured pathways for cooperation across multiple sectors, including governance, security, trade, and institutional development. Of particular importance is the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Security and Correctional Services.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Lavahun expressed Sierra Leone’s appreciation for Rwanda’s ratification and implementation of this agreement, noting that it has enabled Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Internal Affairs to benefit from Rwanda’s extensive experience in security sector reform and correctional management.
Such collaboration, he emphasized, represents practical South–South cooperation—two nations drawing from their post-conflict recovery journeys to strengthen institutions and deliver stability for their citizens.
In line with diplomatic practice, HE Lavahun first presented a copy of his Letters of Credence (Copy d’Usage) to Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on 4 March 2026. Following a protocol briefing by the Director General of Protocol, he formally presented the original Letters of Credence to President Kagame on 5th March 2026.
He also submitted the Letter of Recall of his predecessor, thereby completing the formal transition of representation.
The ceremony followed official notification from Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which extended the invitation and outlined procedural requirements for the accreditation process.
The accreditation of Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Peter Kakowou Lavahun comes at a time when intra-African partnerships are increasingly central to economic transformation, security cooperation, and continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Sierra Leone and Rwanda—both nations recognized for reform-driven governance and post-conflict institutional rebuilding—continue to serve as examples of resilience and forward-thinking leadership on the continent
As he assumes his diplomatic mandate, HE Lavahun carries with him a clear objective: to translate political goodwill into tangible outcomes that benefit both peoples. From security collaboration and institutional reform to shared advocacy on global platforms, Sierra Leone–Rwanda relations are poised for deeper strategic engagement.
In his response, President Kagame, having received the letters of credence, congratulated HE Lavahun on his appointment and wished him well in all his diplomatic endeavours. President Kagame further pledged collaborating with Sierra Leone in the areas of resilience, protection, and promotion of fundamental human rights, democratic good governance, and sustainable development after vividly reflecting on their shared post conflict societies.
Mr. Abdul Karim Kargbo, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Sierra Leone High Commission in Kenya, accompanied HE Lavahun to this all-important diplomatic function.
With the formal presentation of credentials now concluded, a renewed chapter begins—one grounded in partnership, continental solidarity, and the shared aspiration for a stronger, more influential Africa on the world stage.
A. B. Dakowa
SLHC, Kenya.
