Sierra Leone Commissions ECOWAS Conference Centre, Regional Logistics Depot Ahead of Leaders’ Summit

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Sierra Leone’s President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Dr Julius Maada Bio, on Saturday inaugurated the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre and the ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, describing the twin facilities as strategic investments in regional integration, peace and security.

ECOWAS, in a statement on Monday, said that the newly commissioned conference centre hosted the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on July 19, while the logistics depot is expected to strengthen the regional bloc’s capacity to support peace operations, humanitarian interventions, emergency response, and efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism across West Africa.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by several West African leaders and international dignitaries, including President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, President José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, ECOWAS Commission President Dr Omar Alieu Touray, Sierra Leone’s Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and ECOWAS Vice President Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja.

Speaking at the event, President Bio described the conference centre as a landmark investment that would position Sierra Leone as a preferred destination for regional diplomacy and international engagements.

He also said the ECOWAS Logistics Depot would enhance the region’s readiness to respond to peace support missions, humanitarian emergencies and security challenges while strengthening Sierra Leone’s contribution to regional integration.

“The Conference Centre is a strategic investment that positions Sierra Leone as a leading destination for regional diplomacy and international engagement,” President Bio said.
He added that the logistics depot would “significantly enhance the region’s preparedness for peace support operations, humanitarian assistance and emergency response.”
In his welcome address, ECOWAS Commission President Dr Omar Alieu Touray described the logistics depot as the fulfilment of a vision conceived more than two decades ago.

According to him, the facility demonstrates the Community’s collective commitment to strengthening its peace and security architecture and improving its ability to respond swiftly to crises across the region.

“The Logistics Depot is the realisation of a vision conceived more than two decades ago. It reflects our shared commitment to strengthening ECOWAS’ peace and security architecture and improving its capacity to respond rapidly to regional crises,” Touray said.
The inauguration of the two facilities underscores ECOWAS’ ongoing efforts to enhance regional cooperation, improve crisis response capabilities and deepen integration among its Member States.