Jill Biden, second left, the wife of American Vice-President Joe Biden, shakes the hand of a former child soldier at a project that benefits from American Aid money in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 5, 2014.
Over the weekend, U.S. Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden (pictured in yellow) arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, continuing her girl and women’s empowerment tour in Africa.
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From the press pool report:
At about 4:35 the United States of America Air Force C40C jet airliner landed at the the Freetown International Airport situated in Lungi, Port Loko District Northern Sierra Leone, with its distinguished visitor Dr. Jill Biden wife of the Vice President of the United States of America.
She emerged smiling as she gingerly negotiated the steps down, dressed in black and gold suit accompanied by her delegation.
On the tarmac she was greeted by the protocol officer Victor Sheriff who in turn introduced the wife of Sierra Leone’s Vice President Khadija Sam Samsumana.
Dr Biden was then welcomed in traditional style with a calabash gift presented by 10 year old Fanny Vandy along with a bouquet of flowers.
She was then introduced to the Deputy Foreign Minister Ebun Strasser King, and then the Mayor of the Northern City of Makeni Sunkarie Kabba Kamara, and the Minister of State North Alie D. Kamara who then introduced her to a long line of Northern Chiefs and traditional leaders of the community, and local government officials.
The wife of the American Vice President was then treated to traditional dancing before she retired to the Presidential Lounge, before leaving by ferry for the main land.
Second Lady Khadijja Sam Sumana then reportedly hosted a reception in Dr. Biden’s honor Sunday.
Monday, Dr. Biden met with Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma in order to discuss women’s political and economic empowerment.
From the White House:
Dr. Biden will meet with President Ernest Bai Koroma at the State House to discuss women’s empowerment; Sierra Leone’s participation in the Equal Futures Partnership and its efforts to promote women’s political and economic empowerment; the country’s work to crack down on corruption; and a range of other issues facing Sierra Leone today. Upon arrival at the State House, Dr. Biden will observe a female quarter guard ceremony and then walk with President Koroma to the Cotton Tree, a historic national landmark and enduring image of Freetown.
Dr. Biden also reportedly visited St. Joseph’s Secondary School and gave a speech encouraging female education.
This is the final leg of Dr. Biden’s three-nation African tour, where she previously visited Zambia and the Republic of Congo.
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