The Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Seoul on Thursday, February 19, 2026, formally welcomed its new Head of Chancery, Ms. Rachel Musu Kanu, during a ceremony held at the Mission in the Republic of Korea.
Acting Outgoing Head of Chancery, Mrs. Agnes Mbayo, opened the event, describing the occasion as both an honor and a privilege. On behalf of the ambassador and staff, she extended warm congratulations to Ms. Kanu and wished her success in her new role.
Mrs. Mbayo highlighted Ms. Kanu’s extensive diplomatic career, noting her entry into Sierra Leone’s Civil Service in 2011 and her service across key directorates, including Protocol, Administration and Finance, Asia and the Middle East, and the Americas and South Pacific. In 2018, Ms. Kanu was posted to Beijing as First Secretary, where she served for four years before returning to Freetown in 2023 as Acting Director of the Americas and South Pacific Directorate.
Her appointment to Seoul, Mrs. Mbayo emphasized, comes at a crucial time as Sierra Leone continues to consolidate diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations with South Korea.
In her acceptance remarks, Ms. Kanu expressed gratitude to her colleagues and staff for their commitment to the smooth running of the mission. She pledged to uphold professionalism, transparency, and integrity while prioritizing the interests of Sierra Leoneans in Korea. “As we have been guided, 2026 has been described as a Year of Delivery. Therefore, we must place strong emphasis on results, accountability, and measurable impact,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Korea, Paul Sobba Massaquoi, described the Head of Chancery as the “heartbeat of any diplomatic mission,” responsible for coordinating departments, safeguarding resources, and aligning operations with strategic objectives. He stressed that true diplomatic legacy is built on strong systems and institutions, urging Ms. Kanu to uphold neutrality, integrity, and the enduring principles of the Foreign Service.
The ceremony concluded with renewed commitment from both leadership and staff to advance Sierra Leone’s diplomatic engagement in South Korea.
Report by Michaella Bonnie, Information Attaché, Embassy of Sierra Leone, Seoul