By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone — September 1, 2025: In a groundbreaking moment for gender representation in Sierra Leone’s military, the Defence Headquarters of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has announced the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Alice Koria Sesay as Commanding Officer of the 14 Infantry Battalion, headquartered in Pujehun District, according to a statement from Directorate of Defence Public Relations and Information.
According to the statement, her appointment, made public on August 20, 2025, marks the first time a female combatant officer has been assigned to lead a fighting unit in the history of the Armed Forces.
Lieutenant Colonel Sesay, a native of Kabala in the Northern Province, was commissioned in 2007 after completing rigorous training at the Armed Forces Training Centre (AFTC) in Benguema. She was one of only two women among 23 officers in her cohort.
Her military career is distinguished by both national and international accomplishments. She has completed key career development courses in Sierra Leone, including the Intermediate Staff Course, Junior Staff Course, and Platoon Commanders’ Battle Course. Her international training includes programs in the United States, China, Germany, and Hawaii, covering intelligence, leadership, and security cooperation.
Lieutenant Colonel Sesay has held diverse roles within RSLAF, including Platoon Commander, Training Officer, Operations Officer, and Gender and Equal Opportunities Officer. Internationally, she has served with distinction in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Sudan (UNAMID) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).
She holds a Diploma in Public Administration from IPAM and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business Administration from Milton Margai Technical University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Diplomacy and International Relations at Fourah Bay College.
Her appointment builds on a legacy that began in 1978, when RSLAF conducted its first all-female recruitment. That cohort included Brigadier-General Kestoria Kabia, who later became the highest-ranking female officer in West Africa. Since then, female participation in the Armed Forces has steadily grown, with landmark recruitments such as the 2019 “Special Female” initiative launched by First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, which brought in 327 women.
Today, 227 women are undergoing military training across Sierra Leone, with 15 preparing to become combatant and specialist officers.
Lieutenant Colonel Sesay’s appointment is part of a broader transformation agenda led by President and Commander-in-Chief Brigadier-General (Retired) Julius Maada Bio, aimed at promoting gender parity within the Armed Forces. Her leadership not only breaks barriers but also sets a precedent for future generations of female officers.
Lieutenant Colonel Alice Koria Sesay’s historic appointment signals a bold step forward for gender equality and operational excellence in Sierra Leone’s military.