The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Liberia to Senegal, Ali Sylla, has officially presented his Letters of Credence to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal at the Presidential Palace in Dakar.
Ambassador Sylla conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and emphasized the enduring bonds between Liberia and Senegal dating back to the 1960s.
“Liberia and Senegal share a rich history of cooperation and brotherhood. In the 1960s, Liberia welcomed thousands of Senegalese citizens, and Senegal operated an Embassy in Monrovia at the ambassadorial level. Today, we are proud to still host a vibrant Senegalese community in Liberia, a testament to our lasting friendship,” Ambassador Sylla said.
He expressed Liberia’s gratitude to Senegal for its support during Liberia’s civil wars, particularly its military contributions under the ECOWAS peacekeeping mission.
“We are especially thankful to the Government and people of Senegal for standing with Liberia during its darkest hours. Senegal’s deployment of troops alongside other ECOWAS member states was instrumental in restoring peace and stability in our country,” Sylla stated.
Ambassador Sylla used the occasion to rally support for Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and introduced President Boakai’s flagship development framework—the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
He noted, “The ARREST Agenda is not just a national plan; it’s a roadmap to sustainable development that emphasizes Accountability, Road infrastructure, Rule of law, Education, Sanitation, and Technology. It targets key challenges such as unemployment, weak infrastructure, limited access to healthcare and education, and inadequate energy and technology.”
He added that the agenda aligns with major global and regional frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa’s Agenda 2063, and ECOWAS Vision 2050, reinforcing Liberia’s commitment to regional and global development goals.
“We count on Senegal’s support—not just diplomatically—but in engaging its public and private sectors to partner with Liberia in realizing this vision for inclusive growth and development,” Sylla told the Senegalese leader.
In response, President Faye warmly congratulated Ambassador Sylla and wished him success in his new role. He praised Liberia’s democratic progress, highlighting the country’s four peaceful political transitions as evidence of growing political stability.
“Liberia stands as a shining example of democratic consolidation in West Africa. Four successive democratic elections and peaceful transitions speak volumes,” President Faye said.
He acknowledged the invitation extended by President Boakai to attend Liberia’s Independence Day celebrations, noting with regret that his schedule had not allowed him to attend.
Recognizing the potential of Liberia’s development strategy, President Faye instructed Her Excellency Madam Yaccine Fall, Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, to work with Senegal’s private sector in aligning programs with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda.
He further encouraged the Liberian Government, through Ambassador Sylla, to submit specific proposals outlining priority areas for development support.
