By Janet A. Sesay
The French Embassy in Sierra Leone and Guinea on Wednesday, 15th July, 2026 celebrated International French Day.
The ceremony marking the celebration was held at the Country Lodge at Hill Station in Freetown.
International French Day recognizes the importance of the French Language as a means of communication, education, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
The celebration also coincided with the International Day of La Francophonie, which celebrates the global community of French-speaking countries and people.
In his speech marking the occasion, His Excellency Luc Briard, France’s Ambassador to Guinea and Sierra Leone thanked his team members from the French Embassy in who had come to grace the occasion in Sierra Leone. He thanked France and Sierra Leone for maintaining a very strong partnership.
Ambassador Briard recalled that the Africa-France Summit that was recently held was a demonstration of France’s strong, reliable and consistent partner with Africa.
He added that the event shows how attentive the Presidents of France and Sierra Leone are on each other’s perspective with the ambition of strengthening Africa as a dynamic and solvent Continent that plays a full role in global affairs.
Ambassador Briard further stated that both countries are deeply committed to mutual naturalism and both countries share a large number of values regarding fundamental rights without political but economic and socialism.
He said this commitment highlighted was recently demonstrated during Sierra Leone Universal Review in the Human Right Council in Geneva, adding that France as a permanent member of the United Nations Peace and Security Council is a key player in promoting peace and commended Sierra Leone’s commitment to the African Union and ECOWAS which are in constant corporation with the international community.
Ambassador Briard further stated that indeed Sierra Leone plays an active role in the international frame work for peace.
He pointed out that France is also a strong partner that is deeply committed to concrete actions in fight drug trafficking, adding that France made the decision to invite Kenya to bring forward the recommendation from the Africa continent for peace.
He said France will continue to work towards a better representation of African countries in multilateral decisions and decision-making bodies starting with the United Nations Security Council.
He said France is committed to international partnership to foster and engender greater solidarity through the support provided by the French Development Agency and the first operation goes to the back activities in the non-operation sectors.
France is also deeply European and in Sierra Leone and around the world, Europe is not only a donor but also a positive role player grounded on principles and specific approaches and he commended the high-level dialogue held last year under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio on such important issues as drug trafficking that is affecting young people around the world.
Ambassador Briard said France remains to be a reliable partner to Sierra Leone with thanks to its development plan in working towards achieving its priority goals.
He said: “with great attributes we would like to thank the French companies such as Orange-Sierra Leone and Cifaru among others for sponsoring the occasion.
He said Orange mobile company plays a significant role in Sierra Leone in the digital sector, energy sector and infrastructure development.
Jean Lamy representing Ambassador Briard in Sierra Leone said the French International Day is celebrated to promote the French Language and its rich literary and cultural heritage.
Jean Lamy further stated that the celebration also seeks to promote multilingualism and respect for linguistic diversity, and ensure cooperation and solidarity among French-speaking nations.
He added that the French Language also promotes cultural exchanges, education, peace and mutual understanding among and between nations and peoples.
Ambassador Lamy went on to disclose that French is spoken by more than 300 million people across five continents and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
He said the day encourages people to appreciate the language’s role in connecting diverse cultures and fostering international cooperation.
He said people usually asked him how he found Sierra Leone today since been posted as Ambassador and he responded that, there have been lots of changes in the country, adding that the country has developed and the country’s population has grown, which means that development challenges are still there.
He observed that there are now fewer trees on the east side of Freetown, and there is a new road that cuts through the mountains between Regent and Hastings, but that many other things remain constant.
Ambassador Lamy made reference to Freetown’s magnificent setting, and the flow of the Sewa River, and the beautiful peninsula as some of the country’s exceptional landmarks which promises freedom for women in the future.
He went that there still remain many challenges for an inclusive development and expressed comfort about warmth and welcoming spirits of Sierra Leoneans.
He said there are lots of initiatives on the way to strengthen ties between France and Sierra Leone.
He thanked the Sierra Leone authorities from the diplomatic core and development partners for the warn welcome he received on his arrival last year in November and for the way they have been working together for the past nine months.
He thanked the France Embassy for the trust and effort to regularize the relationship between Sierra Leone and France.
He said he has been very happy in Sierra Leone and Sierra Leone will ever remain in his heart.
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Madam Frances Piagie Alghali, congratulated the people of France for holding such an occasion.
She said Sierra Leone warmly commend His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron for the theme of this year’s French International Day which reflects France in their daily role in shaping Europe’s future and contributing to global peace, security and corporation.
She noted that the celebration carries profound historical significance which is a defining moment of the French Revolution which symbolizes national unity and reconciliation.
She described the event as “a milestone that is an embodiment of the adorable values exemplified in France’s national motto.
She added that Sierra Leone and France have enjoyed more than six decades of cordial diplomatic relationship since the former’s independence in 1961, adding that over the years the two nations have cultivated a stronger enduring partnership founded on mutual respect, shared values and unwavering commitment to multilateral liaison.