The Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has described the recent U.S.–Sierra Leone engagement in Washington, D.C. as strategic and highly impactful, noting that it marks a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. Deputy Minister Koroma disclosed that he departed Freetown on Sunday, 1st February 2026, as part of a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to engage senior officials of the United States Government. According to him, the delegation held a productive high-level meeting with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, during which three critical issues were highlighted. The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, he said, responded comprehensively to each point, while the Deputy Secretary emphasized the urgency of addressing them. The key areas of engagement included: 1. Diplomacy – finalizing outstanding immigration-related matters; 2. Economy – advancing discussions on the Atton Path Agreement; and 3. Mining – deepening cooperation through a Critical Minerals Agreement between the United States and Sierra Leone. “I aim to establish an outstanding relationship with Sierra Leone as a defining highlight of my tenure in office,” the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State reportedly stated. In response, the Minister of Foreign Affairs formally invited the Deputy Secretary to visit Sierra Leone, assuring him that the visit would take place once all outstanding issues are fully resolved. Deputy Minister Koroma further underscored America’s significant involvement in Sierra Leone’s mining sector, stressing the strategic importance of the relationship to U.S. supply chains, particularly in the area of critical minerals. He revealed that during the Ministerial Country Dialogue on Critical Minerals, where he represented Sierra Leone, the U.S. Government reaffirmed its commitment to linking mineral-producing countries with the development of critical infrastructure, a move expected to enhance value addition and sustainable mining. “Our four-day engagement with U.S. Government officials in Washington, D.C. was strategic and fruitful. We are confident that it will yield positive outcomes and further strengthen the relationship between Sierra Leone and the United States of America,” he stated. Deputy Minister Koroma expressed profound gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for his vision and unwavering commitment to advancing Sierra Leone’s development agenda. He also extended special appreciation to all officials and stakeholders who worked behind the scenes to ensure the success of the engagement, while thanking Secretary Rubio and his team for inviting Sierra Leone to the Ministerial on Critical Minerals and for the warm hospitality accorded the delegation. The Deputy Minister concluded by noting that he returned to Freetown on 8th February 2026, and by 6:45 a.m. on 9th February 2026, he was back at his favorite routine—brisk walking at the Peak—symbolizing his renewed energy and commitment to national service.
