UN Security Council Emergency Meeting on Somalia

UN Security Council Emergency Meeting on Somalia

Somali UN ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman (C, front) speaks at an emergency meeting of the Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 29, 2025. The three African members of the Security Council -- Algeria, Sierra Leone, and Somalia -- along with Guyana, collectively known as A3+, on Monday strongly condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state. "A3+ strongly condemns the flagrant assault by Israel on the unity and the territorial integrity of Somalia by recognizing as an independent entity the northwestern region of Somalia, the so-called Somaliland," said A3+ in a joint statement at an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Photo by Zhang Fengguo/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting with Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on June 9, 2025. Photo by Bruno Bebert/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting with Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on June 9, 2025. Photo by Bruno Bebert/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting with Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on June 9, 2025. Photo by Bruno Bebert/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting with Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on June 9, 2025. Photo by Bruno Bebert/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting with Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on June 9, 2025. Photo by Bruno Bebert/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting with Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on June 9, 2025. Photo by Bruno Bebert/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting with Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on June 9, 2025. Photo by Bruno Bebert/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

Macron Meets Julius Maada Bio At UNOC3 - Day 2

President Emmanuel Macron during a meeting with Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, on June 9, 2025. Photo by Bruno Bebert/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-ATHLETICS-100M-WOMEN

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-ATHLETICS-100M-WOMEN

(240802) -- PARIS, Aug. 2, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Georgiana Sesay (1st R) of Sierra Leone competes during the women's 100m preliminary round of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 2, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Li Jing)

AUSTRIA-VIENNA-OPEC FUND FORUM

AUSTRIA-VIENNA-OPEC FUND FORUM

(240625) -- VIENNA, June 25, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio (at the podium and on the screen) speaks at the third development forum of OPEC Fund for International Development in Vienna, Austria, on June 25, 2024. Oil-exporting countries and some partners on Tuesday called for more international cooperation on sustainable and equitable development at the Development Forum in Vienna. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/He Canling)

AUSTRIA-VIENNA-OPEC FUND FORUM

AUSTRIA-VIENNA-OPEC FUND FORUM

(240625) -- VIENNA, June 25, 2024 (Xinhua) -- President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio (at the podium and on the screen) speaks at the third development forum of OPEC Fund for International Development in Vienna, Austria, on June 25, 2024. Oil-exporting countries and some partners on Tuesday called for more international cooperation on sustainable and equitable development at the Development Forum in Vienna. (Xinhua/He Canling)

ECOWAS aims to unlock citizens' potential through human capital development

STORY: ECOWAS aims to unlock citizens' potential through human capital development SHOOTING TIME: May 8, 2024 DATELINE: May 10, 2024 LENGTH: 0:02:16 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the 2024 ECOWAS Human Capital Development Technical Conference 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DAMTIEN TCHINTCHIBIDJA, Vice president of the ECOWAS Commission 3. various of the 2024 ECOWAS Human Capital Development Technical Conference 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ROBERT TALIERCIO, World Bank country director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone STORYLINE: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is implementing strategies to unlock human capital development, said Damtien Tchintchibidja, vice president of the ECOWAS Commission. At the 2024 ECOWAS Human Capital Development Technical Conference in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, Tchintchibidja remarked that West Africa needs to advance the potential of its youthful population to ensure a sustainable economic and social path forward. But

CHINA-BEIJING-ZHAO LEJI-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-ZHAO LEJI-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

CHINA-BEIJING-ZHAO LEJI-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-ZHAO LEJI-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio witness the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of the Belt and Road Initiative, agriculture, economic development, and the implementation of the Global Development Initiative after their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. Xi held talks with Julius Maada Bio, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio witness the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of the Belt and Road Initiative, agriculture, economic development, and the implementation of the Global Development Initiative after their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. Xi held talks with Julius Maada Bio, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. Xi held talks with Julius Maada Bio, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. Xi held talks with Julius Maada Bio, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. Xi held talks with Julius Maada Bio, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-XI JINPING-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-TALKS (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan hold a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio and his wife Fatima Bio prior to the talks between Xi and Julius Maada Bio at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. Xi held talks with Julius Maada Bio, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

CHINA-BEIJING-LI QIANG-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-LI QIANG-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with visiting President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

CHINA-BEIJING-LI QIANG-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-LI QIANG-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING (CN)

(240228) -- BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with visiting President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Sierra Leone-China friendship delivers tangible results, says minister

STORY: Sierra Leone-China friendship delivers tangible results, says minister SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 20-24, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 28, 2024 LENGTH: 0:02:17 LOCATION: Freetown CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Freetown 2. Chernor Bah 3. Freetown 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CHERNOR BAH, Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education 5. the friendship road 6. various of the China-aided foreign service academy in Freetown (file) 7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CHERNOR BAH, Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education 8. various of the Chinese medical team 9. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): CHERNOR BAH, Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education 10. various of Freetown 11. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): CHERNOR BAH, Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education STORYLINE: The friendship between Sierra Leone and China over the past few decades has delivered tangible results across multiple areas. This is according to Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education C

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHERNOR BAH-INTERVIEW

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHERNOR BAH-INTERVIEW

(240227) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Feb. 20, 2024. TO GO WITH "Interview: Sierra Leone-China friendship delivers tangible results, says minister" (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

(240227) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 20, 2024 shows a wharf in Freetown, Sierra Leone. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

(240227) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Motorbike taxi drivers wait for customers in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

(240227) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 20, 2024 shows a coastal view of Freetown, Sierra Leone. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

(240227) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A vendor sells daily necessities at a market in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

(240227) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 20, 2024 shows a street view of Freetown, Sierra Leone. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CITY VIEW

(240227) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A vendor sells fruits in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Feb. 20, 2024. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM

(240224) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese doctor checks on a local patient at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Feb. 22, 2024. The 24th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone has provided care for more than 20,000 local patients during its one-year mission. TO GO WITH "Chinese medical team treats over 20,000 Sierra Leonean patients during one-year mission" (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM

(240224) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese doctor checks on a local patient at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Feb. 22, 2024. The 24th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone has provided care for more than 20,000 local patients during its one-year mission. TO GO WITH "Chinese medical team treats over 20,000 Sierra Leonean patients during one-year mission" (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM

(240224) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 24, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese doctor speaks with a local patient at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Feb. 22, 2024. The 24th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone has provided care for more than 20,000 local patients during its one-year mission. TO GO WITH "Chinese medical team treats over 20,000 Sierra Leonean patients during one-year mission" (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

Chinese medical team treats over 20,000 Sierra Leonean patients during one-year mission

STORY: Chinese medical team treats over 20,000 Sierra Leonean patients during one-year mission SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 22, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 24, 2024 LENGTH: 00:03:59 LOCATION: Freetown CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CHEN YONGJUN, Head of Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MELROSE DURING, Charge nurse of maternity unit of Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital 4. various of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone STORYLINE: The 24th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone has provided care for more than 20,000 local patients during its one-year mission. Chen Yongjun, head of the team, told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday that the team has carried out over 400 surgeries and trained many local medical staff during the period. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CHEN YONGJUN, Head of Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone "During the one-year mission, we have overcome difficulties and fulfilled our duties.

Chinese, Sierra Leonean hospitals ink deal to bolster medical cooperation

STORY: Chinese, Sierra Leonean hospitals ink deal to bolster medical cooperation SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 22, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 23, 2024 LENGTH: 00:05:38 LOCATION: Freetown CATEGORY: MEDICINE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital 2. various of a signed agreement 3. various of the signing ceremony 4. various of patients receiving treatment at the hospital 5. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): YAN JIN, Director of nursing department of Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University 6. various of patients receiving treatment at the hospital 7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SARAH CONTH, President of Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital 8. various shots of patients receiving treatment at the hospital STORYLINE: A Chinese hospital on Thursday signed an agreement with the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital to boost medical cooperation between the two countries at Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. Under the deal, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South Univer

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINA-HOSPITALS-COOPERATION

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINA-HOSPITALS-COOPERATION

(240222) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 22, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese doctor checks on a patient at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Feb. 22, 2024. A Chinese hospital on Thursday signed an agreement with the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital to boost medical cooperation between the two countries at Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. (Xinhua/Shi Yu) TO GO WITH Chinese, Sierra Leonean hospitals ink deal to bolster medical cooperation

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINA-HOSPITALS-COOPERATION

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CHINA-HOSPITALS-COOPERATION

(240222) -- FREETOWN, Feb. 22, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Representatives attend a signing ceremony at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Feb. 22, 2024. A Chinese hospital on Thursday signed an agreement with the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital to boost medical cooperation between the two countries at Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. (Xinhua/Shi Yu) TO GO WITH Chinese, Sierra Leonean hospitals ink deal to bolster medical cooperation

Ghana launches strategic plan to eliminate malaria

STORY: Ghana launches strategic plan to eliminate malaria SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 16, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 18, 2024 LENGTH: 0:02:27 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of Accra 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KWAKU AGYEMAN MANU, Ghana's Minister of Health 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SHARMILA LAREEF, Multi-Country Assignment Officer for Ghana, Liberia, Gambia, and Sierra Leone at the WHO STORYLINE: Ghana on Tuesday launched a national malaria elimination strategic plan, aiming to eradicate the deadly disease in the country. The 2024-2028 malaria elimination strategic plan contains a comprehensive roadmap towards a malaria-free Ghana, said Kwaku Agyeman Manu, Ghana's minister of health. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KWAKU AGYEMAN MANU, Ghana's Minister of Health "This plan is not merely a document but a very powerful declaration of intent, a relying cry for collective action, and a promise of a healthier future for future generations. This can only be achieved through the effective implementation of this str

UN-SECURITY COUNCIL-NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS

UN-SECURITY COUNCIL-NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS

(240103) -- UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Guyana's permanent representative to the United Nations Carloyn Rodrigues-Birkett speaks at a flag installation ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 2, 2024. Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia began their roles as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UN-SECURITY COUNCIL-NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS

UN-SECURITY COUNCIL-NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS

(240103) -- UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Akan Rakhmetullin (3rd R), France's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nicolas de Riviere (4th R), and permanent representatives to the United Nations of the five new non-permanent members of the UN Security Council attend a flag installation ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 2, 2024. Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia began their roles as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie E)

West African bloc to gradually ease sanctions on Niger

STORY: West African bloc to gradually ease sanctions on Niger SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 10, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 12, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:35 LOCATION: Abuja CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of heads of state and government of ECOWAS in the Nigerian capital of Abuja 2. various of participants of the meetings STORYLINE: The 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has promised a gradual easing of sanctions on Niger based on outcomes of engagement with the military junta in that country following the ousting of President Mohammed Bazoum in July. In a statement at the end of the 64th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in the Nigerian capital of Abuja Sunday, the West African bloc set up a committee made up of the presidents of Togo, Sierra Leone, and Benin to engage with the military junta in Niger on the need for a short transition roadmap and the emplacement of monitoring mechanisms. "Based on the outcomes of the engagement by the CNSP (Natio

Overseas guests visit millenium-old port along Maritime Silk Road in China

STORY: Overseas guests visit millenium-old port along Maritime Silk Road in China SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 25, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 27, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:57 LOCATION: WENZHOU, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): CUI LI, Xinhua correspondent 2. various of the site 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOANNE MARIE ANDERSON, Former Mayor of Liverpool 4. various of the guests 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KWEKU MELVIN SHELDON LISK, Deputy Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANTONIO CARLOS RODRIGUES PEREIRA JUNIOR, Director of international relations and cooperation from Duque de Caxias, Brazil STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): CUI LI, Xinhua correspondent "We are at Shuomen ancient port site in Wenzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. The excavation of this site presents a prosperous scene of Wenzhou along the Maritime Silk Road during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) Dynasties, holding an important cultural and international significance." During the just-concluded 2023 Mayor

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CURFEW

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CURFEW

(231126) -- FREETWON, Nov. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2023 shows the view of a street in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The government of Sierra Leone announced a nationwide curfew following a security incident at an army barracks on Sunday morning. A notice by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education said some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armory at Wilberforce Barracks in the early hours of Sunday. (Photo by Samoura/Xinhua)

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CURFEW

SIERRA LEONE-FREETOWN-CURFEW

(231126) -- FREETWON, Nov. 26, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2023 shows the incident site where some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armory at Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The government of Sierra Leone announced a nationwide curfew following a security incident at an army barracks on Sunday morning. A notice by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education said some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armory at Wilberforce Barracks in the early hours of Sunday. (Photo by Samoura/Xinhua)

(CIIE) CHINA-SHANGHAI-CIIE-HONEY PRODUCTS (CN)

(CIIE) CHINA-SHANGHAI-CIIE-HONEY PRODUCTS (CN)

(231109) -- SHANGHAI, Nov. 9, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo shows honey products from Sierra Leone at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 8, 2023. Various global honey products made their appearances at the 6th CIIE. (Xinhua/Zhang Keren)

U.S.-NEW YORK-CHINA-HAN ZHENG-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING

U.S.-NEW YORK-CHINA-HAN ZHENG-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING

(230921) -- NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

U.S.-NEW YORK-CHINA-HAN ZHENG-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING

U.S.-NEW YORK-CHINA-HAN ZHENG-SIERRA LEONE-PRESIDENT-MEETING

(230921) -- NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

Sierra Leone kicks off general elections

STORY: Sierra Leone kicks off general elections DATELINE: June 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:02 LOCATION: Freetown CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. Various shots of Sierra Leone general elections STORYLINE: Sierra Leone kicks off its presidential, parliamentary, and local council elections Saturday, with more than 3.3 million registered voters casting their ballots across the country. Voters queued in over 11,000 polling stations that were opened from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. A total of 13 registered political parties including the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People's Congress (APC) participated in the elections, which are observed by both local and international observers in all polling stations. President Julius Maada Bio is seeking a second and final term as he is contesting against the main opposition presidential candidate Samura Kamara whom he defeated in the 2018 elections. To be declared the winner of the presidential race, the leading presidential candidate must secur