By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, August 20, 2026: The Parliamentary Committee on Defence has formally tabled a report on Sierra Leone’s security and defence oversight workshop, marking a milestone in strengthening legislative scrutiny of the country’s defence sector.
Committee Chairman Honourable Alex Mattia Rogers presented the document, titled “Sierra Leone Workshop on Security and Defence Oversight: A Compendium of Summary, Notes and Resources July 2026”, before Parliament. The report captures outcomes from a three‑day hybrid academic programme organised by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) in Washington, D.C.
Held from 4–6 March 2026, the workshop brought together members of the Defence Committee, parliamentary staff, and officials from key security institutions including the Ministry of Defence, the Office of National Security (ONS), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Commission on Arms and Ammunition.
Hon. Rogers explained that the programme was designed to build the capacity of parliamentarians and institutions to carry out effective legislative and oversight responsibilities in Sierra Leone’s security and defence sector. He noted that this was the first international workshop conducted by the Defence Committee.
A validation session was later conducted by ACSS to review and confirm the outcomes and resources generated from the March programme. Hon. Rogers expressed appreciation to participating institutions, particularly the Ministry of Defence and ONS, for their support.
He emphasised that the workshop would strengthen cooperation between Parliament and defence institutions, while enhancing the Committee’s ability to scrutinise security and defence matters more effectively.
The report has now been formally laid before the House for consideration, providing MPs with structured insights and resources to guide future oversight of Sierra Leone’s security and defence architecture.