Professor David Francis on the International Stage

By: Lansana Fofanah

Sierra Leone’s former Chief Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Professor David Francis is undoubtedly the country’s most respected and prominent public figures that redefined Sierra Leone’s diplomacy and international relations on global stage.

Being a global icon and statesman, the absence of Professor Francis on the diplomatic scene in Sierra Leone, never went unnoticed at a time when the country is striving to consolidate regional and international gains.

In my quest to keep the nation abreast with some of his engagements, I learned that international news media outlets have been religiously following the busy Professor Francis whose academic, intellectual, diplomatic and policy-practice expertise are in high demand globally as governments and international institutions are utilizing his vast experience in leadership and governance.

As a modest statesman, Professor Francis never attempted to make publicity and massively cover at the national level and media, his high-profile international stage activities since leaving government; something that Sierra Leoneans deserve to know.

So, I have decided, to present some media coverage of what Professor Francis has been doing since leaving Government and what Sierra Leone is missing!

1. In November 2023, the prestigious Pan-Africa UNIPGC organization presented Professor Francis the distinguished Global Peace and Leadership Award as the African Diplomatic of the Year 2023 for his leadership in taking Sierra Leone to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the tenure 2024/25.

Professor Francis was able to make a compelling case for a post-war reconstructive state like Sierra Leone to be elected as a non-permanent member in the UNSC.

The award was received in London, on behalf of Professor Francis, by the Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E. Dr. Morie Manyeh.

2. At the invitation of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Amadeus Institute, Professor Francis presented at two conference Roundtables including: ‘UNSC, PSC, RECs and Foreign Military Interventions: what strategies to build African Sovereignty’ and, ‘Continental Integration, RECs & AfCFTA: Necessity to move forward quickly’.
3. Together with the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Professor Francis participated in the margins of the AU Summit on 16^th February 2024, the joint African Development Bank – AU African Nutrition Event.
4. For the past two years, Professor Francis has served as the Executive Board Chairman on the Global Black Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, leading on the international engagements of the GBC
5. Based on the invitation by Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Professor Francis delivered the keynote address at the Ludovika Festival entitled: ‘New World Disorder, EU Retreat from Africa & Implications for Hungary’s EU Presidency’
6. 3 – 31 May 2024, served as Visiting Senior Professor for the Ludovika University Fellowship Programme at the Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies in Budapest, Hungary. Delivered lectures for Master’s students in International Studies at Ludovika University and the Diplomatic Leadership programme of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Academy at Ludovika on the following topics: “Peacekeeping and peace building in Africa”; “African State System: from imposition to reconstruction”; “Military Coups in African Politics”; “Integrating Africa: challenges & opportunities for African Regional Economic Communities”
7. Keynote Address at the China Fourth Zhejiang Belt & Road Think Tank Forum, organized by the Institute of African Studies (IASZNU) at Zhejiang Normal University on 12^th December 2023. Professor Francis was invited by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing through IASZNU at Zhejiang Normal University. Keynote address entitled, “Africa in the Emerging Multipolar World Order & How the China Belt & Road Initiative will Support Africa’s Geo-Economic Growth & Regional Integration”

The Director General of the Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, appointed Professor Francis as a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang University for a 5-year tenure.

The high-level visit included delivering guest lectures for the Graduate Students (PhD & Masters) at IASZNU.

In addition, Professor Francis held high-level meeting with Rector of Zhejiang University on education collaboration with Sierra Leone.

Professor Francis also held high-level meetings with the senior leadership of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS) on research and policy-practice collaboration.

The high-level visit in China also included Education partnership visit to School in Jinhua, Zhejian province.

8. On 5^th December 2024, Professor Francis delivered the keynote address at the 7^th Seoul Dialogue on Africa Conference on the theme ‘Sierra Leone – Korea Relations: New Horizon for Strategic Partnership with a Global Pivotal State’

On 6^th December 2024, delivered a Guest Lecture at the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University in Seoul on the topic; ‘Sierra Leone in the United Nations Security Council: Lessons for Africa in the Emerging Multipolar Word Order’

9. Professor Francis published the first-ever book on China – Sierra Leone Relations to document and commemorate the 50^th anniversary China – Sierra Leone bilateral relations. The book entitled China – Sierra Leone Relations: Friendship, Cooperation & Win-win Diplomacy was officially launched at the Chinese Embassy by the Chinese Ambassador, Wang Qing and Foreign Minister, Hon. Timothy Kabba.
10. At this prestigious annual event, previously attended by President Julius Maada Bio, Professor Francis made presentations on two Conference Roundtables including: ‘Natural Wealth: safeguarding Africa’s Resource Sovereignty in the Global Commodities Race’ and ‘Moroccan Diplomacy: Shaping African Sovereignty & Expanding Global Alliances’.