Sierra Leone: U.S. Secretary of the Navy visits Salone

The United States Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus recently paid a visit to Sierra Leone since his appointment in 2009, which was focused on strengthening the maritime security partnership between the two countries.
During this one day visit, Secretary Mabus met with President Ernest Bai Koroma and officials from the Office of National Security (ONS), Ministries of Defense, Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration and the Joint Maritime Committee.

The United States Secretary applauded the Government for its commitment to enhance Sierra Leone’s Joint Operations Center to develop a comprehensive National Maritime Strategy and to strengthen maritime law and prosecution of violators.
He noted that Sierra Leone and the United States share a common interest in promoting maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

In his meetings, he discussed specific ways the United States and Sierra Leone can work together to combat illicit activities, such as trafficking in persons and narcotics, smuggling, piracy and illegal fishing in Sierra Leone’s territorial waters and to promote legitimate commerce and sustainable fishing that contribute to Sierra Leone’s economic development and food security.
Secretary Ray Mabus is the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy and the longest serving as leader of the Navy and Marine Corps since World War I.