Strengthening Diplomatic Ties… Liberia Foreign Service Institute Visits Sierra Leone’s Foreign Service Academy

In a historic moment, the Foreign Service Academy (FSA) on the 11th to the 13th of September 2025, hosted over one hundred students and senior Management from the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute of Liberia.

The diplomatic excursion visit by the Liberia Foreign Service Institute is part of the Institute’s annual educational exchange program aiming to empower students with diplomatic best practices.

Ambassador Soulay Daramy, Executive Director of the Foreign Service Academy, underscores the importance of such a visit; noting the role of regional diplomacy and collaboration between the two institutions.

While the Gabriel L. Dennis Institute had been in existence for 74 years, and the FSA for just three years, Amb. Daramy noted that the visit resonates with the dreams of our forefathers in building a formidable institution to promote, peace, security, and development within the Mano River Union.

“The relevance of our nation in global diplomacy continues to grow. We are not as small as we appear. Sierra Leone’s presence on the global stage is increasing and our current role in the United Nations Security Council is a testament to the nation’s diplomatic strides.

Peace and stability in the Mano River region is non-negotiable.

Our diplomatic efforts must remain at the forefront of resolving conflicts through negotiation, behind-the-scenes diplomacy, and regional collaboration,” Ambassador Daramy said.

Reginald B. Goodridge, Sr., Director General of Liberia’s Foreign Service Institute said that even though the Foreign Service Institute of Liberia has been existing for so long, the Foreign Service Academy equally has lots of benefit to offer its Liberian counterpart in terms of knowledge.

“This is more than just an academic visit. It’s a joint commitment to shaping foreign policy, strengthening MRU ties, and aligning security priorities. Though our Institute is older, there is much we can learn from Sierra Leone’s fresh perspective and infrastructure,” he said.

Goodridge noted that the outcomes of the visit would be documented and submitted to policymakers in both countries for potential integration into foreign policy frameworks.

Ambassador Victoria M. Sulimani, FSA’s Deputy Director thanked the senior Management of the FSI for identifying the FSA as a center of excellence worth visiting. This she said demonstrates the shared values between the two countries.

Gladys A. Queen-Francis, Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Foreign Service Academy, described the visit as “a grandmother visiting a grandchild,” noting Liberia’s FSI has been in existence for over 74 years, while Sierra Leone’s Academy was formally established in May 2023.

“We are proud of how far we’ve come. We’ve already trained over 200 personnel including protocol officers, ambassadors, military attachés, and more. This visit allows us to learn and grow while sharing best practices,” she said.

The Foreign Service Academy has conducted multiple trainings since November 2023, including etiquette workshops in collaboration with ECSL and diplomatic protocol training for various government personnel.

Among the visiting students, Emmett P. Coker, a soon-to-be graduate of Liberia’s FSI, commended the warm welcome and the insight gained from the trip.

“This experience has opened our eyes to how diplomacy is practiced outside Liberia,” he said. “We’re aspiring to be part of Africa’s voice in a changing global order.”

Similarly, Mydea White Simmons, another student from the Liberian delegation, described the exchange as a “practical and enlightening experience.”

“It’s always beneficial to learn how others approach global issues. I only wish we had met more students from Sierra Leone’s Academy for peer-to-peer dialogue,” she remarked.

She further stressed the importance of African countries working together to navigate globalisation and reposition the continent in the emerging multipolar world order.

As the visit concluded on Saturday, both institutions committed to deeper collaboration, mutual curriculum development, and future exchanges.

“Our goal is to demystify diplomacy and show how real peace is negotiated – not just in boardrooms, but in conversation, culture, and connection,” said Ambassador Daramy in closing.

Senior government officials from both Liberia and Sierra Leone delivered insightful lectures on diplomacy, regional collaboration, foreign policy goals, globalisation, border security, diplomatic capacity-building, and conflict resolution within the subregion.

The event was climaxed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Service Academy and the Foreign Service Institute of Liberia to promote educational exchange, regional diplomacy and academic excursion.