# Foreign relations of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone maintains formal relations with many Western nations. It also maintains diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Bloc countries as well as with the People's Republic of China.
The government maintains 16 embassies and high commissions around the world.

## Multilateral membership

Former President Stevens' government had sought closer relations with West African countries under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The present government is continuing this effort.
Sierra Leone is a member of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, the Commonwealth, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Development Bank (AFDB), the Mano River Union (MRU), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Sierra Leone is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
Sierra Leone is a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations.

## Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Sierra Leone maintains diplomatic relations with:
Date :
| 1 | Canada | 27 April 1961 |
| 2 | Egypt | 27 April 1961 |
| 3 | France | 27 April 1961 |
| 4 | Ghana | 27 April 1961 |
| 5 | Israel | 27 April 1961 |
| 6 | Japan | 27 April 1961 |
| 7 | Lebanon | 27 April 1961 |
| 8 | Nigeria | 27 April 1961 |
| 9 | United Kingdom | 27 April 1961 |
| 10 | United States | 27 April 1961 |
| 11 | India | 28 April 1961 |
| 12 | Belgium | 12 July 1961 |
| 13 | Germany | 5 September 1961 |
| 14 | Guinea | 20 October 1961 |
| 15 | Benin | 1961 |
| 16 | Burkina Faso | 1961 |
| 17 | Ivory Coast | 1961 |
| 18 | Niger | 1961 |
| 19 | Pakistan | 1961 |
| 20 | Russia | 18 January 1962 |
| 21 | Netherlands | 22 February 1962 |
| 22 | Switzerland | 25 May 1962 |
| 23 | Liberia | 8 June 1962 |
| 24 | South Korea | 25 June 1962 |
| 25 | Sudan | 19 August 1962 |
| 26 | Bulgaria | 28 September 1962 |
| 27 | Senegal | 26 October 1962 |
| 28 | Poland | 10 November 1962 |
| 29 | Italy | 1962 |
| 30 | Mali | 1962 |
| 31 | Sweden | 1962 |
| 32 | Czech Republic | 3 January 1963 |
| 33 | Serbia | 25 September 1963 |
| 34 | Morocco | 14 November 1963 |
| 35 | Romania | 15 January 1964 |
| 36 | Spain | 6 March 1964 |
| 37 | Syria | 29 November 1964 |
| 38 | Madagascar | 5 November 1966 |
| 39 | Gambia | 10 December 1966 |
| 40 | Jamaica | 15 November 1967 |
| 41 | Ethiopia | 26 March 1968 |
| 42 | Lesotho | 22 October 1968 |
| 43 | Hungary | 10 November 1969 |
| 44 | Norway | 20 July 1970 |
| 45 | Luxembourg | 13 October 1970 |
| 46 | Turkey | 15 February 1971 |
| 47 | Zambia | 19 February 1971 |
| 48 | China | 29 July 1971 |
| 49 | North Korea | 14 October 1971 |
| 50 | Mauritania | 21 October 1971 |
| 51 | Tanzania | 3 November 1971 |
| 52 | Algeria | 7 April 1972 |
| 53 | Cuba | 24 April 1972 |
| 54 | Saudi Arabia | 1 July 1972 |
| 55 | Denmark | 22 January 1973 |
| 56 | Uganda | 10 September 1973 |
| 57 | Brazil | 9 August 1974 |
| 58 | Argentina | 6 September 1974 |
| 59 | Guyana | 25 October 1974 |
| 60 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 20 January 1975 |
| 61 | Guinea-Bissau | 28 January 1975 |
| 62 | Portugal | 18 February 1975 |
| 63 | Austria | 1 March 1975 |
| 64 | Trinidad and Tobago | 17 July 1975 |
| 65 | Libya | 18 November 1975 |
| 66 | Bangladesh | 22 January 1976 |
| 67 | Mozambique | 12 March 1976 |
| 68 | Mexico | 30 June 1976 |
| 69 | Albania | 23 August 1976 |
| 70 | Cameroon | 30 September 1976 |
| 71 | Cape Verde | 8 January 1978 |
| 72 | Vietnam | 24 June 1978 |
| 73 | Kenya | 16 January 1979 |
| 74 | Greece | 15 May 1979 |
| 75 | Kuwait | 1980 |
| 76 | Qatar | 1980 |
| 77 | Australia | 10 July 1981 |
| 78 | United Arab Emirates | 5 October 1982 |
| 79 | Oman | 10 December 1982 |
| 80 | Thailand | 24 December 1982 |
| 81 | Iran | 12 March 1983 |
| 82 | Equatorial Guinea | March 1983 |
| 83 | Maldives | 14 June 1988 |
| 84 | Colombia | 16 November 1988 |
| 85 | Peru | 15 May 1989 |
| 86 | Venezuela | 29 October 1990 |
| 87 | Malaysia | 28 January 1991 |
| 88 | Philippines | 3 April 1991 |
| 89 | Indonesia | 15 November 1994 |
| 90 | Azerbaijan | 13 March 1995 |
| 91 | Brunei | 10 July 1995 |
| 92 | Slovakia | 21 May 1996 |
| — | Holy See | 30 July 1996 |
| 93 | Georgia | 7 April 1997 |
| 94 | North Macedonia | 17 July 1998 |
| 95 | South Africa | 21 August 1998 |
| 96 | Ukraine | 20 May 1999 |
| 97 | Ireland | 19 January 2000 |
| 98 | Cyprus | 22 November 2000 |
| 99 | Malta | 16 October 2001 |
| 100 | Namibia | 18 September 2002 |
| 101 | Croatia | 23 July 2003 |
| 102 | Belarus | 27 September 2003 |
| 103 | Armenia | 19 March 2004 |
| 104 | Angola | 1 November 2004 |
| 105 | Bahamas | 7 November 2006 |
| 106 | Iceland | 13 November 2006 |
| 107 | Finland | 17 June 2008 |
| 108 | New Zealand | 5 March 2009 |
| 109 | Uruguay | 22 September 2010 |
| 110 | Cambodia | 7 October 2010 |
| 111 | Estonia | 10 May 2011 |
| 112 | Slovenia | 10 May 2011 |
| 113 | Zimbabwe | 19 April 2012 |
| 114 | Jordan | 3 December 2012 |
| 115 | Singapore | 9 April 2013 |
| 116 | Mongolia | 27 September 2013 |
| 117 | Sri Lanka | 16 November 2013 |
| 118 | Rwanda | 29 November 2013 |
| 119 | Lithuania | 15 April 2014 |
| 120 | Montenegro | 8 October 2014 |
| 121 | Kazakhstan | 20 November 2014 |
| 122 | Latvia | 12 December 2014 |
| 123 | Fiji | 6 February 2015 |
| 124 | Ecuador | 12 February 2015 |
| 125 | Botswana | 16 February 2015 |
| 126 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 24 November 2015 |
| — | Kosovo (suspended) | 24 November 2015 |
| 127 | Burundi | 2 March 2016 |
| 128 | Malawi | 8 March 2016 |
| 129 | Kyrgyzstan | 1 November 2016 |
| — | State of Palestine | 6 December 2017 |
| 130 | Turkmenistan | 15 June 2020 |
| 131 | Nicaragua | 25 September 2020 |
| 132 | Tajikistan | 2 October 2020 |
| 133 | Chad | 13 February 2020 |
| 134 | Grenada | 24 February 2021 |
| 135 | Nepal | 29 June 2021 |
| 136 | Belize | 23 September 2021 |
| 137 | Bahrain | 8 June 2022 |
| 138 | Moldova | 18 August 2022 |
| 139 | Dominican Republic | 19 September 2022 |
| 140 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 12 April 2023 |
| 141 | Uzbekistan | 28 April 2023 |
| 142 | El Salvador | 18 September 2023 |
| 143 | Saint Lucia | 20 September 2023 |
| 144 | Seychelles | 16 February 2025 |
| — | Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | Unknown |
| 145 | South Sudan | Unknown |
| 146 | Togo | Unknown |
| 147 | Tunisia | Unknown |
| 148 | Yemen | Unknown |

## Bilateral relations

| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
| Algeria | 7 April 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 April 1972 when Mr Zitouni Messaudi, the first Algerian Ambassador, presented his credentials to President Stevens |
| Angola | 1 November 2004 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 2004 when Ambassador of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Mohammed Bayoh, presented his credentials to Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos. |
| Bangladesh | 22 January 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 January 1976 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sierra Leone Mr. M. Anwarul Haq. |
| Belgium | 12 July 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 July 1961 when M. G. Walravens was appointed as first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Sierra Leone ( with residence in Abidjan) Belgium is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Sierra Leone has an embassy in Brussels. |
| Burundi | 2 March 2016 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 March 2016 when Ambassador of Sierra Leone (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Osman Keh Kamara presented his credentials to President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza. |
| Canada | 27 April 1961 | See Canada–Sierra Leone relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 |
| China | 29 July 1971 | See China–Sierra Leone relations China and Sierra Leone established diplomatic relations on July 29, 1971. |
| Denmark | 22 January 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 January 1973 when has been accredited Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Denmark (resident in London) Mr. Jacob Arthur Christian Davies. |
| France | | France is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Conakry, Guinea. Sierra Leone is accredited to France from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium. |
| Germany | | Germany has an embassy in Freetown. Sierra Leone has an embassy in Berlin. |
| Guinea | 20 October 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 October 1961 when Mr. Abdoul Karim , Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Guinea presented his credentials to President Sekou Toure. |
| Guinea-Bissau | 28 January 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 January 1975 when has been accredited Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau to Sierra Leone Mr. Alexander Nunes Correia. |
| India | 28 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 April 1961 See India–Sierra Leone relations Sierra Leone's ambassador is accredited from Tehran and India established a resident High Commission in Freetown in 2021, having previously accrerdited its High Commissioner from Accra, Ghana. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations. |
| Indonesia | 15 November 1994 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 November 1994 Sierra Leone is accredited to Indonesia through its embassy in Seoul, South Korea. Indonesia is accredited to Sierra Leone, through its embassy in Dakar, Senegal. |
| Israel | 27 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations with the independence of Sierra Leone on 27 April 1961, the Israel consulate in Freetown became an embassy. Sierra Leone broken diplomatic relations with Israel on 27 October 1973. Diplomatic relations were re-established on 27 May 1992 |
| Kenya | 16 January 1979 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 January 1979 |
| Lebanon | 27 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 when Sierra Leone attained independence the Lebanese Ambassador to Liberia was also appointed Ambassador to Sierra Leone. The consulate was changed into an Embassy and Mr. Hazou became Charge d'Affaires. |
| Lesotho | 22 October 1968 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 October 1968 when first High Commissioner of Lesotho to Sierra Leone Mr. C. D. Molapo has presented his credentials to Governor General Mr. Justice Banja Tejan-Sie |
| Liberia | 8 June 1962 | See Liberia–Sierra Leone relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 June 1962 when has been appointed first ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone Mr. Henry B. Fahnbulleh. The two countries signed a non-aggression pact in 2007 when Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma took office. In January 2011, an African diplomat described relations as "cordial". |
| Madagascar | 5 November 1966 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 November 1966 when Dr. Rakoto-Ratsimamanga, the first Malagasy Ambassador to Sierra Leone with residence in Paris, presented his credentials. |
| Mauritania | 21 October 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 1971 when first Ambassador of Mauritania to Sierra Leone, Mr. Dey Ould Brahim, has presented his credentials to President Stevens |
| Mexico | 30 June 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1976 Mexico is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Accra, Ghana. Sierra Leone does not have an accreditation to Mexico. |
| Namibia | 18 September 2002 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 September 2002 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Namibia (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Melvin Humpah Chalobah. |
| Netherlands | | the Netherlands is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Accra, Ghana. Sierra Leone is accredited to the Netherlands from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium. |
| Nigeria | 27 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 when was appointed first Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Mr A.B. Oyediran |
| Poland | | Poland is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. Sierra Leone does not have an embassy accredited to Poland. |
| Russia | | Russia is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Conakry, Guinea. Sierra Leone has an embassy in Moscow. |
| Spain | 6 March 1964 | See Sierra Leone–Spain relations Sierra Leone is accredited to Spain from its embassy in London, the United Kingdom. Spain is accredited to Sierra Leone from its embassy in Dakar, Senegal. |
| Tanzania | 3 November 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 November 1971 when Tanzania's High Commissioner to Sierra Leone , Mr. Frederick Rutakyanirwa , presented his credentials to President Stevens. |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 17 July 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 July 1975 when accredited first High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Sierra Leone (resident in Lagos) Mr. J.S.Donaldson |
| Turkey | 15 February 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1971 Sierra Leone has an embassy in Ankara. Turkey has an embassy in Freetown. Trade volume between the two countries was 53.4 million USD in 2019. There are direct flights from Istanbul to Freetown. |
| Uganda | 10 September 1973 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 September 1973 when Brigadier Shaban Opolot, Uganda's first ambassador to Sierra Leone, has presented his credentials to President Stevens. |
| United Kingdom | 27 April 1961 | See Foreign relations of the United Kingdom Sierra Leone established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom in April 1961. Sierra Leone maintains a high commission in London. The United Kingdom is accredited to Sierra Leone through its high commission in Freetown. Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic co-operation pact, the Commonwealth, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement. |
| United States | 27 April 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1961 See Sierra Leone–United States relations Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, D.C. U.S. relations with Sierra Leone began with missionary activities in the 19th century. In 1959, the U.S. opened a consulate in Freetown and elevated it to embassy status when Sierra Leone became independent in 1961. U.S.-Sierra Leone relations today are cordial, with ethnic ties between groups in the two countries receiving increasing historical interest. Many thousands of Sierra Leoneans reside in the United States. In fiscal year 2006, total U.S. bilateral aid to Sierra Leone in all categories were $29.538 million. U.S. assistance focused on the consolidation of peace, democracy and human rights, health education, particularly combating HIV/AIDS, and human resources development. Currently, the Principal U.S. Official in Sierra Leone is Chargé d'Affaires Glenn Fedzer Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the U.S. is H. E. Bockari Kortu Stevens and the Sierra Leone embassy is located in Washington.  This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State. |
| Zambia | 19 February 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 February 1971 when first High Commissioner of Zambia Mr. Siteke G. Mwale presented his credentials to the Governor General of Sierra Leone Sir Banja Tejan-Sie |

## International disputes

Large UN peacekeeping presence ended civil war, however rebel gang fighting, ethnic rivalries, illegal diamond trading, corruption, and refugees spill over into neighboring states that are beset with their own civil disorders, refugees, and violence.