Nabeela Tunis

Sierra Leonean politician

Nabeela Tunis in 2019

Nabeela Farida Tunis (née Koroma) is a Sierra Leonean politician who has served as the country's Foreign Minister since May 2019.

## Education and early career

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Tunis has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Fourah Bay College and English and a Master's in Rural Development from Njala University, both part of the University of Sierra Leone.[1] She worked as Program Manager of the Women's Network for Environmental Sustainability and as a Senior National Officer within the United Nations office in Sierra Leone.[1]

## Political career

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Tunis was appointed the Minister of Planning and Economic Development[2] on 8 May 2018.[3] In this role she helped produce the president's National Economic Development Plan,[4][5] but was also responsible for a controversial NGO policy that activists considered "unfriendly".[6]

Tunis was appointed Foreign Minister in a cabinet reshuffle by President Julius Maada Bio in May 2019,[7][8] replacing 2018 presidential candidate Alie Kabba, who was demoted to the role of UN representative.[4] She has described her foreign policy direction as "Sierra Leone first" and said that her foreign policy objectives are linked to boosting the country's image and prestige, including transparency in business as part of the president's renewed fight against corruption.[9]

## Awards and honours

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Tunis was named one of Sierra Leone's Fifty Most Influential Women in 2019 and nominated again for the award in 2020.[10]

## Personal life

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Tunis is married to Sidie Mohammed Tunis, the Parliamentary Leader of the governing Sierra Leone People's Party[11] and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.[12] They have three children.[1]

## References

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1. ^ a b c "Foreign Minister". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.
2. ^ "UK High Commissioner Hosts Duchess Of York In Sierra Leone". Sierra Express Media. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
3. ^ Thomas, Abdul Rashid (8 May 2018). "Sierra Leone parliament approves another group of president Bio's ministers". Sierra Leone Telegraph. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
4. ^ a b Thomas, Abdul Rashid (9 May 2019). "President Bio has reshuffled his cabinet – but does it go far enough?". Sierra Leone Telegraph. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
5. ^ "Hon. Nabeela Tunis Tells British Chamber That "The Private Sector Is The Government's Main Development Partner"". Sierra Express Media. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
6. ^ Fofana, Umaru (9 May 2019). "Sierra Leone President in first major cabinet reshuffle". Politico SL. FreeMedia Group. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
7. ^ Remoe, Vickie (9 May 2019). "President Bio's first cabinet reshuffle, 1 fired, 3 demoted including Alie Kabba, DeSouza George, Manyeh". Swit Salone. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
8. ^ Thomas, Abdul Rashid (25 June 2019). "Sierra Leone's new economic development minister vows to take development to the people". Sierra Leone Telegraph. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
9. ^ Deca, Kelechi (11 September 2019). "Our Foreign Policy is 'Sierra Leone First' – Nabeela F. Tunis". Afrikan Heroes. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
10. ^ Cham, Kemo (7 February 2020). "Influential Sierra Leonean women award nominations ends". Politico SL. FreeMedia Group. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
11. ^ "Sierra Leone's New President Completes His List Of Cabinet Nominees". Sierra Express Media. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
12. ^ Sonpon, Leroy M. (16 September 2019). "West Africa: Sierra Leone Endorses Sidi M. Tunis As ECOWAS Parliament Speaker". Daily Observer. All Africa. Retrieved 8 March 2020.

## External links

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* Interview with Minister Nabeela Tunis - 2019

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