Sierra Leone has strengthened its international defence partnerships following high-level talks in Paris, where Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh received firm assurances of support from the French government to enhance the country’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
During his official visit, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh met with General Stéphane Richou, Director of France’s Defence and Security Cooperation Directorate, discussions focused on expanding Sierra Leone’s capacity to deploy well-trained, well-equipped, and highly professional peacekeeping forces in line with international standards.
Diplomatic sources at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Paris said the vice president reaffirmed his country’s strong commitment to global peace and security, emphasizing the need for sustained partnerships to build a capable and effective peacekeeping contingent.
Our objective is to ensure that Sierra Leonean peacekeepers operate at the highest international level, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh stated, strategic cooperation with partners such as France is critical to achieving this goal.”
General Richou welcomed Sierra Leone’s engagement and expressed France’s readiness to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in areas that enhance operational effectiveness and logistical capacity.
Among the key outcomes of the meeting was a mutual agreement to explore avenues for technical assistance, including reliable mechanisms for sourcing essential equipment for deployed peacekeeping units.
In addition, the Vice President secured training scholarships for senior Sierra Leonean peacekeeping officers to undertake specialized courses at the Counterterrorism Regional Hub in Côte d’Ivoire. He noted that the training would significantly strengthen leadership capacity and operational preparedness within Sierra Leone’s peacekeeping ranks.
“These opportunities will sharpen the skills of our officers and further position Sierra Leone as a credible contributor to UN peace operations,” Dr. Juldeh Jalloh said, adding that the country remains committed to expanding its role in international peace and security efforts.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 15th December 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
