By Mohamed Massaquoi
New York, September 11, 2026: Sierra Leone has signed a medical evacuation agreement with the Dominican Republic to support the deployment of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) in Haiti under a United Nations‑backed mission.
The agreement was signed on Friday by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Amara Sowa, and formalizes arrangements for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of Sierra Leonean troops serving in Haiti.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Dominican Republic will act as a transit hub for emergency evacuations of wounded personnel, repatriation of injured or deceased soldiers, and protocol coordination during emergencies
The arrangement ensures adequate medical support for Sierra Leonean forces assigned to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti.
The signing follows earlier negotiations in New York (June 8–10, 2026), where a Sierra Leonean delegation led by Deputy Finance Minister Kadiatu Allie engaged the Standing Group of Partners (SPG) of the United Nations Support Operations in Haiti (UNSOH). Talks focused on reimbursement for Contingent‑Owned Equipment of two specialized units:
- Special Forces Company (SOFCOY) – 150 personnel
- Border Control Company (BCCOY) – 150 personnel
Both units are scheduled for deployment under the GSF by the end of 2026.
Officials say the medical evacuation MOU marks a critical milestone in fast‑tracking Sierra Leone’s deployment process. The country’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Michael Imran Kanu, is expected to sign two additional protocols to finalize arrangements before troops are dispatched.