By Emma Black
In a show of collaboration and service beyond security, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) on Sunday launched a large-scale beach cleaning exercise along Aberdeen and Lumley beaches in Freetown. On Monday 29 September 2025 the initiative, which involved the removal of seaweed and accumulated waste materials, is aimed at revitalizing the country’s coastline and supporting the growth of Sierra Leone’s tourism sector.
According to the RSLAF, the cleaning campaign aligns with its Defence Mission and Tasks, which extend beyond traditional security roles to include direct support for national development.
Speaking at the event, Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangura, Chief of Defence Staff, emphasized that the effort was meant to demonstrate both stability and tranquillity in Sierra Leone.
We want to send a strong message to tourists that Sierra Leone is safe, peaceful, and open for business. Our beaches should not only look inviting but also reflect the natural beauty our nation is known for, he said.
The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, praised the security sector for its intervention, noting that this was the most comprehensive clean-up of Aberdeen and Lumley beaches since seaweed and other waste began to plague them in 2009.
“This initiative is a game-changer for our tourism industry. For the first time in years, these beaches have been thoroughly restored. My ministry is now working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the RSLAF so that this kind of exercise can be replicated across other beaches nationwide,” she affirmed.
To ensure efficiency, the RSLAF deployed 1,100 troops alongside heavy-duty engineering equipment, while the SLP contributed about 300 personnel. The combined manpower and logistics ensured rapid clearance of the 3.5-kilometer stretch between Aberdeen and Lumley beaches.
The clean-up was made possible by advanced engineering machinery donated in 2022 by President Julius Maada Bio, with support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China. The fleet included crawler bulldozers (230 horsepower), excavators, graders, forklift trucks, semi-trailers, dump trucks, and tractors.
Over the years, this equipment has not only been used to generate revenue for the Armed Forces but also to rebuild roads in military barracks, support disaster response operations, and now, carry out complex cleaning campaigns such as this.
The Ministry of Tourism has pledged to sustain such initiatives in collaboration with the RSLAF, ensuring Sierra Leone’s beaches remain clean, attractive, and ready to host both local and international visitors.
With the festive season approaching, the joint clean-up is expected to boost confidence among tourists and locals alike, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s reputation as a country of resilience, beauty, and hospitality.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 3rd October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
