Spain has pledged to strengthen ties with Sierra Leone through new initiatives in entrepreneurship, food security, and education, as both countries marked Spain’s National Day with a celebration in Freetown on Wednesday.
The event, hosted by the Spanish Embassy at the Spar Hotel, brought together government officials, diplomats, and representatives from various sectors to commemorate Spain’s national holiday and highlight deepening bilateral relations.
Spanish Ambassador Ángel Carrascac described relations between the two nations as “excellent” and said cooperation was expanding in areas such as technology, astronomy, security, and culture.
“These projects deliver concrete benefits for both our peoples, and this is just the beginning,” Carrascac said.
He also addressed current global crises, condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urging that any peace agreement must reject the use of force or territorial annexation. On Gaza, he described the conflict as a “question of humanity,” reaffirming Spain’s early recognition of Palestine and calling for lasting justice and reconstruction beyond the current ceasefire.
“History will judge those who remain silent,” he said. “Spain is not silent.”
Carrascac announced several new programs, including a Spanish Gastronomy and Food Security initiative, a “Startups Week” to promote youth and women entrepreneurs, and expanded Spanish language training for Sierra Leone’s tourism sector. He also pledged closer collaboration on migration management, emphasizing that migration should be “a source of hope and opportunity, not fear.”
Representing Sierra Leone’s government, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Momodu A. Wurie thanked Spain for its continued support, particularly during the Ebola crisis, and welcomed the new initiatives as a sign of deepening partnership.
Wurie said Sierra Leone shares Spain’s commitment to peace, security, and sustainable development, and reiterated Freetown’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and international action on Gaza and climate change.
“This is a productive friendship we are committed to growing,” Wurie said, as the evening concluded with a toast to Spain’s prosperity and the enduring partnership between the two nations.
