Egypt, Sierra Leone sign MoU for administrative cooperation

CAIRO - 15 May 2024: In a move to strengthen cooperation between Egypt and Sierra Leone, Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Central Agency for Organization and Administration (CAOA) and the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs in Sierra Leone.

 

Dr. Saleh Sheikh, President of the CAOA, signed on behalf of Egypt, while Amara Kalon, Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, signed for Sierra Leone.

 

Following the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Madbouly emphasized Egypt's unwavering commitment to developing relations between the two countries in all areas.

 

He expressed Egypt's desire to build upon the recent positive developments in bilateral relations and reiterated Egypt's readiness to offer support to Sierra Leone's public administration through relevant Egyptian institutions.

 

The Prime Minister clarified that the signing of the MoU stems from the distinguished relations between the two countries and their mutual desire to strengthen and develop cooperation in the fields of administration, public service, and civil service, based on mutual interests and in light of the discussions held between the two sides.

 

Sheikh highlighted the widespread admiration for Egypt's administrative reform experience among African and Arab countries.

 

He stated that the CAOA frequently receives requests from other countries during its participation in regional scientific events to learn more about and benefit from the Egyptian experience, particularly in human resource evaluation and the system for selecting new entrants to public service positions.

 

Sheikh emphasized that the CAOA is fulfilling the directives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which are reiterated by the Prime Minister, to provide all possible support to brotherly countries. He also mentioned his role as Vice President of the African Public Administration Reform Network, which contributes to supporting activities in Sierra Leone.

 

In turn, Mr. Amara Kalon, Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the warm welcome. He emphasized the excellent relations between the two countries and his country's desire to strengthen cooperation with Egypt.

 

He expressed his admiration for the Egyptian experience, particularly the establishment of the New Administrative Capital and its outstanding preparations for the relocation of central government institutions to the new capital. Mr. Kalon described it as a valuable addition to the world's experiences in transitioning to new capitals.

 

He expressed his country's desire to support friendly Egypt and its keenness to cooperate with African countries, with Egypt at the forefront. Undoubtedly, cooperation between the two countries will serve as a model for other African nations.

 

Prior to the signing ceremony, the CAOA hosted Kalon, in Sierra Leone, and his accompanying delegation on their visit to Egypt from May 12th to 16th, 2024.

 

The CAOA arranged a visit for the delegation to the Center for Evaluation of Abilities and Competitions, where they observed the ongoing examinations for applicants to fill positions in the Department of Experts at the Ministry of Justice.

 

The delegation also visited the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and learned about its significant role in education and enlightenment. They further visited His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, where they extended a formal invitation for him to visit Sierra Leone. In response, the Grand Imam requested an increase in scholarships for Sierra Leonean students to study at Al-Azhar University.

 

He also expressed Al-Azhar's willingness to establish an Islamic center for teaching Arabic language in Sierra Leone and to train Sierra Leonean doctors in the medical schools of Al-Azhar University.