By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, October 9, 2025: A United Nations Assessment and Advisory Visit (AAV) Team has completed a critical evaluation of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), marking a potential return to international peacekeeping operations after a decade-long hiatus, according to a statement from Defence Headquarters.
The four-member team, led by James D’Ercole from the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York and accompanied by British and Canadian observers, conducted the assessment on October 1st and 2nd. Their mission is to determine RSLAF’s preparedness to rejoin global peacekeeping efforts.
In line with the UN Statement of Unit Requirements (SUR), the team reviewed:
- Operational capability and training
- Personnel strength and gender inclusivity
- Medical facilities and logistics
- Equipment, including vehicles, arms, and ammunition
President and Commander-in-Chief Brigadier-General (Ret.) Julius Maada Bio first pledged RSLAF’s return to peacekeeping on Armed Forces Day in 2021. Since then, his administration has secured vital equipment through international engagements, including a recent donation from the African Union valued at US$10 million.
The AU’s contribution included:
- Armoured infantry carriers and ambulances
- Military assault and troop transport vehicles
- Heavy-duty cargo trucks, water and fuel bowsers
- SUVs, combat jeeps, forklifts, and more
Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangura has mobilized a 200-person peacekeeping contingent currently undergoing training at the Peace Mission Training Centre (PMTC). The UN AAV Team’s visit was requested to validate the contingent’s readiness.
A Legacy of Peacekeeping
Sierra Leone’s peacekeeping history spans over six decades:
- 1961: First deployment to Congo under UNOC
- 1990s: Participation in Liberia under ECOMOG
- 2010–2013: Five rotations in Darfur under UNAMID, where Brigadier-General Komba Mondeh became the first Sierra Leonean to act as Force Commander
- 2013–2014: Deployment to Somalia under AMISOM, with Sierra Leone becoming the first non-East African Troop Contributing Country to command a sector
The last RSLAF contingent withdrew in 2014 due to the Ebola outbreak, which halted troop rotations and led to the eventual pullout from Somalia.
Looking Ahead
The UN’s recent assessment signals a renewed chapter for Sierra Leone’s military diplomacy. With upgraded equipment, trained personnel, and international backing, RSLAF is poised to rejoin global efforts in maintaining peace and security.