Freetown, Sierra Leone – A United Nations Assessment and Advisory Visit (AAV) team has completed a two-day mission in Sierra Leone to evaluate the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces’ (RSLAF) preparedness for future peacekeeping deployments.
The four-member delegation, which included observers from the United Kingdom and Canada, was led by James D’Ercole of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York. The assessment took place on 1–2 October 2025.
In line with UN standards for peacekeeping units, the team reviewed RSLAF’s capabilities in areas such as personnel, training, gender inclusivity, medical readiness, logistics, and equipment. Inspectors also examined a range of military hardware, including vehicles, arms, and ammunition.
President Julius Maada Bio, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, pledged in 2021 to return Sierra Leone’s troops to international peacekeeping missions. Since then, government efforts and international partnerships have resulted in significant investments in military equipment.
Earlier this year, the African Union donated machinery and hardware worth an estimated US$10 million to strengthen RSLAF’s peacekeeping capacity. The consignment included armoured infantry carriers, assault vehicles, ambulances, troop carriers, heavy-duty trucks, bowsers, jeeps, and forklifts.
Sierra Leone’s history with peacekeeping stretches back three decades, with its first deployment in Congo, followed by a major role in Liberia during the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) operations.
The UN’s latest evaluation marks a key step toward re-establishing the country as a contributor to international peace and security.
