By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown – September 29, 2025: In a bold move to rejuvenate Sierra Leone’s coastal tourism, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), undertook a massive cleanup operation yesterday along the Aberdeen and Lumley beaches. The initiative focused on removing seaweed and waste materials that have plagued the area since 2009.
The operation, which spans the 3.5-kilometer stretch between the two popular beaches, aligns with the Defence Mission and Tasks of the Armed Forces, emphasizing civil support and national development. A total of 1,100 RSLAF troops and 300 SLP personnel were deployed, backed by a fleet of engineering equipment including bulldozers, excavators, graders, and dump trucks.
Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangura, Chief of Defence Staff, stated that the cleanup was not only about environmental restoration but also a strategic message to tourists: Sierra Leone is peaceful, stable, and ready to welcome visitors. “We want tourists to enjoy the sweet natural scent of our beaches during the festive season,” he said.
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, praised the effort, noting it was the first comprehensive cleanup since the emergence of seaweed and waste in 2009. She revealed plans to formalize the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RSLAF to extend similar operations to other beaches across the country.
The success of the cleanup was largely attributed to the use of 88 pieces of engineering equipment donated to RSLAF in 2022 by President and Commander-in-Chief, Retired Brigadier-General Julius Maada Bio, with support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China. These assets have since been instrumental in disaster response, infrastructure rehabilitation, and revenue generation for the Armed Forces.