By Mackie M. Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s recent two-year tenure on the United Nations Security Council came at a significant cost, with the government spending approximately two million dollars, Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Kabba has disclosed. The tenure, which provided the country with a rare opportunity to influence global peace and security decisions, was supported financially not only by domestic funds but also through contributions from international partners, including China, Morocco, the United States, and development agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Speaking to the media, Minister Kabba highlighted that the expenditure was necessary to ensure that Sierra Leone could actively participate in Security Council deliberations, fulfill diplomatic obligations, and maintain a visible presence in the global arena. “Our membership allowed us to advance Sierra Leone’s foreign policy interests, advocate for peacekeeping reforms, and contribute to discussions on critical global security challenges,” Kabba said, adding that international cooperation helped defray part of the costs.
According to the Minister, the two-million-dollar expenditure covered a range of activities crucial to effective representation. These included the establishment of a fully operational mission in New York, logistical arrangements for diplomats, travel and accommodation, organization of side events, hosting of bilateral meetings, and administrative support for continuous engagement with Security Council committees.
The support from countries like China, Morocco, and the United States, as well as development partners, played a key role in offsetting some of these costs. Minister Kabba noted that such backing enabled Sierra Leone to host important diplomatic events and participate in high-level discussions without overstraining the national budget. “Partnerships were vital. They not only supported financial needs but also facilitated technical expertise and advisory assistance, ensuring that our mission was both effective and impactful,” he said.
Experts argue that while the cost is significant, the benefits of Security Council membership go beyond immediate financial expenditure. “Serving on the Council elevates a country’s international profile, allows it to contribute to global peace initiatives, and strengthens diplomatic networks that can translate into foreign investment, development aid, and enhanced bilateral relations,” said one foreign policy analyst based in Freetown.
Nevertheless, some citizens have questioned whether the two-million-dollar spend could have been allocated to pressing domestic needs such as health, education, and infrastructure. In response, Minister Kabba emphasized that Sierra Leone’s participation in the Security Council was an investment in long-term national interest, saying, “Global visibility and influence often translate into tangible benefits at home, from attracting development projects to influencing international support during crises.”
During its tenure, Sierra Leone actively participated in debates on peacekeeping mandates, conflict resolution, and humanitarian assistance, while also advocating for issues affecting Africa, including equitable representation in UN decision-making processes. Kabba underscored that lessons learned from this experience would help improve the country’s diplomacy and negotiation strategies in multilateral platforms moving forward.
As Sierra Leone concludes its Security Council term, the two-million-dollar expenditure stands as both a demonstration of commitment to international diplomacy and a reminder of the financial and strategic investment required to engage meaningfully in global governance.
