Brigadier General Oliver Paulus, Commander of the French Force in Senegal visited Sierra Leone to engage the Ministry of Defence and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces on the French support for ECOWAS in Sierra Leone and to also see how the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces become an efficient Force in the sub region.
In his discussion with officials of the Ministry of Defence, the French Brigadier assured the RSLAF that he will ensure that the Sierra Leone Army is incorporated in the African Union Force and assist RSLAF in peace support aspiration.
In his response, the Minister of Defence, retired Major Alfred Palo Conteh expressed gratitude to the visiting Brigadier General noting that Sierra Leone has over the years enjoyed bilateral relations with France which has brought enormous benefits to both nations. The Defence Minister also intimated the General that Sierra Leone is now a stable and peaceful country and is ready to help other countries in achieving peace. He requested for more capacity building training of the RSLAF personnel in France. A presentation of the RSLAF participation in ECOWAS stand-by Force was delivered by Colonel John Milton, the Acting Director of Military Operations who also doubles as the Public Relations and Information in the Ministry of Defence.He stated that Sierra Leone has pledged an infantry company to be part of the highly trained and well equipped personnel of the ECOWAS stand-by Force. The Acting Director also informed the visiting General that RSLAF will soon deploy a Recce Company to Darfur. The visiting General presented a gift to the Minister as a symbol of Friendship between France and Sierra Leone.