RSLAF to Niger
July 07, 2004
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Contact: James Taylor
Tel.: 226 481 xt. 249
Sierra Leone Soldiers Assist in Global War on Terrorism
Freetown, June 25, 2004… Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces troops have been observed recently driving military vehicles through the Sahel desert, fraternizing with fellow troops from Burkina Faso and Niger, and riding the backs of camels under the desert sun. The RSLAF troops are participating in a program to increase cooperation between West African militaries.
The United States Government in conjunction with the Government of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) are supporting the Global War on Terrorism through the “PAN-SAHEL INITIATIVE”. This support is manifested through continued training and logistical operations at the Murray Town logistics facility in Freetown, managed by Pacific Architects and Engineers (PAE) under contract to the United States Government.
In the last eight months soldiers from Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Chad have conducted logistics training in Freetown in support of the war on terrorism with the assistance of the RSLAF, PAE and the United States.
More recently, from 19-25 June 2005, the RSLAF assisted PAE and the US Government in delivering twelve desert mobility vehicles overland from Freetown to Niamey, Niger. The Niger Armed Forces will use these vehicles to combat terrorists roaming the Sahel region. This was a long and arduous mission. Eight RSLAF soldiers conducted convoy operations from Freetown through Guinea and Mali, passing through the entire length of Burkina Faso, and arriving in Niamey five long days after departing Freetown. The mission crossed a large portion of the Sahel desert, and the RSLAF soldiers performed extremely well in these harsh desert conditions. The RSLAF soldiers conducted a convoy for 2600 kilometers with no accidents or incidents along the route, a truly remarkable achievement.
The RSLAF soldiers who participated in this exercise are: Warrant Officer M. JUSU, Staff Sergeant Chef B. SAMURA, Sergeant L. FOFANA, Corporal E. GBONDO, Corporal M. KOROMA, Corporal J. MANNOH. The PAE contingent consisted of Mr. Yazid FALUDEEN, Mr. John ALLEN, Mr. Sherif SAMAI, Mr. Ron BOYER, Mr. Saidu MANSARAY and Mr. Dion TEEL. The officer in charge of this mission was Lt/Col Bill GODBOUT from the United States Army.
Of special interest during this convoy was the professionalism displayed by the RSLAF troopers while working with the Burkina Faso military. The RSLAF and Burkinabe troops worked closely for three days as the convoy stayed overnight in Bobo Diallasso in the southern portion of Burkina Faso, as well as during an extensive visit to the capital of Ougadougou. Before the Burkinabe military escort vehicles turned back at the Niger border, the RSLAF and Burkina soldiers bid each other farewell with strong handshakes and congratulations for a job well done, initiating a new era of cooperation in ECOWAS.
Arriving in Niamey, Niger the RSLAF soldiers still had much work to accomplish. The vehicles were cleaned and maintained to look brand new before being handed over to the Niger Armed Forces. During a three day stay in Niamey the RSLAF troopers had a chance to relax and recover from the long journey. PAE conducted refresher training for some of the Niger troops getting ready to deploy on combat missions into the desert. Meanwhile, the RSLAF soldiers each had the opportunity to ride on the back of a camel, the hardy “ships of the desert”, and view the famous Kennedy Bridge which spans the mighty Niger river running through the heart of Niamey.
The U.S. plans to provide more training to the RSLAF and other ECOWAS militaries at the Freetown Logistics facility at Murray Town Barracks. The U.S. government thanks the Government of Sierra Leone, the RSLAF and all ECOWAS states, for their partnership and vision in this endeavor.
Images:
1. RSLAF soldiers, Burkina Faso Gendarmes, Niger Military, US Forces, and PAE contractors at the border crossing between Burkina Faso and Niger.
2. Riding a camel in Niamey, Niger after completion of difficult mission in support of the Global War on Terrorism