Brussels, 30 January 2019/ACP: Envoys from two ACP Member States, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Sierra Leone, were officially presented to the committee of Ambassadors on Thursday 24 January 2019.

H.E Mr. Ahmed Inusa from Nigeria, is an experienced career diplomat who has served his country remarkably for over 30 years. Both at home and abroad, he has served in many capacities and has attended several international conferences. His overseas postings included the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York; Embassy of Nigeria, Budapest, Hungary; High Commission of Nigeria, Yaoundé, Cameroon, and High Commission of Nigeria, London, United Kingdom.

Ambassador Inusa was also the Director of the African Union Division and Director of the United Nations Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, before being appointed as the Ambassador to Belgium.

In his address, Ambassador Inusa underlined the fact that he is joining the ACP Group at a crucial time when negotiations for a new partnership with the European Union are well advanced.

He reiterated his country’s full commitment to the success of a Post Cotonou Agreement and commended the contributions of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors, the Central Negotiating Group and the ACP Secretariat for the manner which the negotiations with the European Union are being conducted.

“Nigeria will continue to keep faith with the ideals and aspirations of the ACP both within the Group and in the wider international arena”. He concluded.

H.E Mr. Samuel Tamba Musa from Sierra Leone,is an expert in agricultural economics and development project planning and management. With more than 20 years of distinguished experience in the field of development administration, the Ambassador also possesses vast knowledge in working with International Non-governmental Organisations such as Action Aid Sierra Leone and Oxfam.

Indeed, he became in 1998 the first Sierra Leonean to hold the post of Country Director of Action Aid covering Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea before being promoted to Deputy Regional Director for Oxfam in West Africa.

In his remarks, Ambassador Tamba Musa reiterated his country’s full support for the ACP Group’s visions by referring to the visit to ACP Headquarters of His Excellency Mr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone in November 2018.

He highlighted his government’s commitment towards human capital development in line with what the ACP Group is undertaking by significantly investing in science, technology, research and innovation for sustainable development.

Finally, He called for a focus towards the reforms of the United Nations system as Africa is the only continent not having a permanent sit on the United Nations Security Council.

On behalf of the Committee of Ambassadors, the Dean H.E. Mr. Daniel Evina Abe’e, the Ambassador of Cameroon, warmly welcomed the new envoys to the ACP Group of States.

From left to right:(Dr. Patrick I. Gomes ACP Secretary General; H.E Mr. Ahmed Inusa Ambassador of Nigeria; H.E Mrs. Ammo Aziza Baroud Ambassador of Chad and Chair of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors; and H.E Mr. Samuel Tamba Musa Ambassador of Sierra Leone).

ACP Press