London, United Kingdom — Monday, 21 September 2026
Ambassador Tanmaya Lal, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General (Programmes), today paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Dr Morie Komba Manyeh, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and senior staff of the Sierra Leone High Commission in London.
Ambassador Lal, an Indian career diplomat with nearly 35 years of experience in bilateral and multilateral affairs, assumed office as Deputy Secretary-General (Programmes) in March 2026, following a distinguished career that included senior roles in India’s Ministry of External Affairs and diplomatic postings at the United Nations and across Africa and Europe.
The meeting today provided an opportunity for the two diplomats to exchange views on matters of mutual interest and explore ways of strengthening cooperation between Sierra Leone and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Discussions centred on enhancing the Commonwealth’s relevance and visibility, strengthening support for developing and vulnerable member states, and upholding the principles of sovereign equality and meaningful partnership across the Commonwealth.
The two men also exchanged views on climate change, youth empowerment, trade and investment, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, with particular emphasis on skills development, technology transfer and ensuring that developing countries are not left behind.
Ambassador Lal highlighted the Secretariat’s ongoing work across Africa and its efforts to strengthen collaboration with regional and continental organisations, avoid duplication and respond more effectively to the priorities of member states.
High Commissioner Manyeh reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to the Commonwealth under the leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and underscored the importance of translating shared values and commitments into practical benefits for all member states.
The engagement reaffirmed the strong relationship between Sierra Leone and the Commonwealth Secretariat and the shared commitment to deepening cooperation for the benefit of Sierra Leone and the wider commonwealth.
Abdulai M. Braima
Information Attaché