Retired Brigadier General, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone witnessed and reviewed the largest passing-out parade and commissioning ceremony of over 300 combined women officer cadets and recruits at the Armed Forces Training Center. The event which took place Saturday 7th September 2019 in Freetown, was witnessed by the acting British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Alistair White.

For the first time in almost 40 years, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) with support from the Government of Sierra Leone and the International Security and Advisory Team (ISAT) undertook this special recruitment of women from all the regions, districts and chiefdoms across the country.

Since 1978 and 1979, when 10 female cadet officers and 64 recruits enlisted in the military, more women had volunteered to serve and had, over 40 years of dedicated service to country, showing an uncommon valor, courage, adaptability, selflessness, leadership, and they had carried through their pledge to defend and protect the land that they loved.

Acting British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Alistair White, was happy to witness the passing-out ceremony of the female recruits. He said the military is one of the links between the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone. The achievement should be noted widely among nations and international institutions, and by the United Nations, where an increasing number of women serving is recognized as critical to success.

President Bio, also the Commander-In-Chief of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) said his government in conjunction with the government of the United Kingdom, and the International Security Advisory Team (ISAT) launched the Special Female Recruitment. He believed expanding the role of women in national security development for peace, and cohesion. While the initiative aligned firmly with United Nations expectations to further leverage the invaluable role of women soldiers in peace engagement and support operations, it is good expanding the country’s role in international peacekeeping and peace support operations the world over.

The President warned the cadets and recruits not to involved in partisan politics or political discussions adding that as professional soldiers, you serve the Republic of Sierra Leone and no one individual’s interests or ambitions.

The President reminded them of their responsibilities after taken to the oath of allegiance, which he said means they had agreed to subject themselves to public scrutiny as a soldier both on and off duty. He informed them that they had sworn to respect, uphold, and protect the National Constitution of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and to obey all lawful orders from any superior placed over them without question.

He emphasized the soldiers had accomplished themselves with distinction in training and proven again that what men could do, women could do even better.

As Head of the Army, the President formally welcome all of them into the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, assuring them that they are coming into such a noble institution at a time when there is growing opportunity for female service personnel in terms of career, educational development, and participation in Global Peace Support Operations.

We are fully committed to recruiting, training, and retaining more women soldiers and promote women leadership within the RSLAF. We will put in place accountability mechanisms to ensure our RSLAF pursues a progressive agenda for women, and our institution continues to evolve as we learn best practices across the globe.

To our new soldiers, you have just sworn into one of the finest military traditions and institutions – one that has shaped patriots; men and women who have fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation in war and peace. They served selflessly from Burma to the Congo, from Timor Leste to Lebanon, Sudan, Somalia, Liberia, and in the jungles of Sierra Leone. They have stood up when it matters. They are the proud men and women of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Let us all continue to stand for our country’s peace, unity, freedom, and justice because we have only this one Sierra Leone, he concluded.