By Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr
During the 17th Armed Forces Day celebration of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio led a national course to honour foreign peacekeepers who played a pivotal role in ending the eleven-year civil war.
The President recognised the crucial contributions of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), whose troops helped restore peace and stability in a war-torn Sierra Leone. Thousands of African and international soldiers sacrificed their lives to protect civilians, restore democracy and secure lasting peace.
Sierra Leone formally acknowledges the role played by these foreign peacekeepers in ending the conflict, particularly through disarmament, reintegration and democratic transition processes that laid the foundation for national recovery.
“I extend, on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, our deepest gratitude to the international community, our regional neighbours and all partners who stood with us during the darkest chapter of our history,” President Bio stated.
He added, “The struggle to restore democracy and constitutional order demanded human sacrifice but the courage, resources and lives committed by our partners ensured that the will of our people prevailed and laid the foundation for the peace and democratic stability we enjoy today.”
During the conflict, ECOMOG forces intervened to restore constitutional order and protect civilians, particularly after the 1997 military coup. Their intervention paved the way for the return of democratic governance and national stabilisation.
UNAMSIL later became one of the largest United Nations peacekeeping missions in history, deploying tens of thousands of troops to support disarmament, protect civilians and consolidate peace following the Lomé Peace Agreement. Commanders such as General Daniel Bezalel Opande of Kenya and General Martin Luther Agwai of Nigeria led multinational forces during the critical final phases of the war.
President Bio’s decision to honour these foreign commanders and troops with the award of Grand Commanders of the Order of the Rokel, reflects Sierra Leone’s gratitude for their sacrifice and solidarity.
