DILI, 15 April 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste and Sierra Leone have agreed to strengthen cooperation within the g7+ group of fragile and conflict-affected states, focusing on peacebuilding, stability, and potential bilateral cooperation.
The discussion took place during a virtual meeting on Tuesday between Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão and Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio.
The two leaders explored ways to enhance g7+ engagement in promoting peace and stability among member states, while also discussing prospects for closer bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Gusmão stressed the importance of strengthening collective action to address political and security challenges in fragile member states, particularly Guinea-Bissau and South Sudan
Gusmão outlined three key priorities for strengthening peace efforts within the g7+: joint support missions to member states, coordinated missions to Guinea-Bissau and South Sudan, and strengthening mediation and preventive diplomacy.
Reflecting on the g7+ motto, “Goodbye conflict, welcome development,” Gusmão said member states must continue working together to support countries affected by conflict and weak governance.
He noted that Sierra Leone, once affected by civil war, successfully emerged from conflict in 2002 and now leads the organization, demonstrating progress possible through peacebuilding efforts.
Gusmão said Timor-Leste would continue working with g7+ members to seek coordinated solutions to support stability in both countries.
He said President Bio had committed to addressing ongoing challenges facing members states during his leadership of the group.
In his remarks, President Bio praised Timor-Leste for its continued leadership in hosting the g7+ Secretariat and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to advancing the group’s core principles of peace, resilience, and sustainable development.
He said the g7+ remains an important platform for collective advocacy, peer learning, and cooperation among countries with shared experiences of fragility and post-conflict recovery.
Addressing the situation in Guinea-Bissau, President Bio noted that the country remains in a fragile transitional phase, requiring sustained regional and international engagement.
On South Sudan, the President described the country as being at a delicate stage in its peace process.
He stressed the need for sustained dialogue, trust-building, and inclusive political processes to support lasting peace in the country.
President Bio called on the G7+ to intensify peer-to-peer engagement and solidarity missions, promote inclusive political dialogue, and advocate for sustained international support tailored to country-specific realities.
He also proposed the convening of a high-level meeting of G7+ Eminent Persons to develop a strategic roadmap for engagement in fragile contexts.
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s post-conflict recovery experience, the President underscored the importance of strengthening institutions, promoting accountable governance, and encouraging community-based approaches to peacebuilding.
He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s readiness to support mediation, reconciliation, and confidence-building efforts within the G7+ framework.
A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to establish formal diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and Timor-Leste, reflecting a shared commitment to deepening South-South cooperation and expanding collaboration in areas such as governance reform, peacebuilding, and youth empowerment.
The virtual meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas, g7+ Secretary-General Helder da Costa and Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to the United Nations, Ambassador Dionisio Babo Soares.
Journalist: Cidalia Fátima
Editor: FIlomeno Martins
