The Chief’s Diary: Diplomacy Against All Odds- How to Find Common Ground
At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, I joined the President of Comoros, President of Somalia, and Prime Minister of Yemen on the Leaders Panel to speak on an intriguing topic “Diplomacy against all odds: how to find common ground”.
We live in a world of permanent uncertainty where the ‘butterfly effect’ is no longer theory for a movie script. Today, bombs dropped in the gulf region lead to pump price increases of the next day in around the world. This means we must find common ground within our borders, around our subregion and ultimately the world to maintain stability and drive economic development.
To my view, for us to reap the demographic and democratic dividends, we must practice the following three steps:
1. DIALOGUE through our DISAGREEMENTS
2. ENGAGE in spite of our DIFFERENCES
3. ACT on our SHARED ASPIRATIONS
For us in Sierra Leone, this is not theory. We live by these principles informed by our past. In the past few months, President Bio has maintained dialogue and engagement with our neighbors in Guinea and Liberia through our disagreements and differences along the borders. He, as Chair of ECOWAS Authority has also done this right through the region, including with AES countries. This translates to the actions he is taking to keep us united and integrated so that through this process we will ultimately reap the benefits of economic integration in Mano River Union and ECOWAS.
For me as a leader, this is also what I practice through the principles of #RADICALINCLUSION. I believe that when we do these things- dialogue, engage, and take action, we will have a more inclusive and just society. Yes, we live in rather uncertain times, but I am more confident than ever that we are better prepared to address the challenges of today and to take advantage of the opportunities tomorrow. Together #WeWillDeliver! #ADF2026
Ps- catch the panel here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CCBZzQfTP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, I joined the President of Comoros, President of Somalia, and Prime Minister of Yemen on the Leaders Panel to speak on an intriguing topic “Diplomacy against all odds: how to find common ground”.
We live in a world of permanent uncertainty where the ‘butterfly effect’ is no longer theory for a movie script. Today, bombs dropped in the gulf region lead to pump price increases of the next day in around the world. This means we must find common ground within our borders, around our subregion and ultimately the world to maintain stability and drive economic development.
To my view, for us to reap the demographic and democratic dividends, we must practice the following three steps:
1. DIALOGUE through our DISAGREEMENTS
2. ENGAGE in spite of our DIFFERENCES
3. ACT on our SHARED ASPIRATIONS
For us in Sierra Leone, this is not theory. We live by these principles informed by our past. In the past few months, President Bio has maintained dialogue and engagement with our neighbors in Guinea and Liberia through our disagreements and differences along the borders. He, as Chair of ECOWAS Authority has also done this right through the region, including with AES countries. This translates to the actions he is taking to keep us united and integrated so that through this process we will ultimately reap the benefits of economic integration in Mano River Union and ECOWAS.
For me as a leader, this is also what I practice through the principles of #RADICALINCLUSION. I believe that when we do these things- dialogue, engage, and take action, we will have a more inclusive and just society. Yes, we live in rather uncertain times, but I am more confident than ever that we are better prepared to address the challenges of today and to take advantage of the opportunities tomorrow. Together #WeWillDeliver! #ADF2026
Ps- catch the panel here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CCBZzQfTP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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