Senior Military Officers Decorated

By Franklyn Turay

On Tuesday, 20th October 2026 President Dr Julius Maada Bio, Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), has decorated newly promoted senior military officers, including Brigadier General MM Kposowa, who was elevated to the rank of Major General, while Colonel D. Kpandemba, Colonel Kaisamba, Colonel B.A.L. Sesay, Colonel S.M. Conteh, Colonel J.P. Koroma, Colonel E.L. Smart, Captain A.H. Bengeh, Colonel S.M.O. George, Colonel J.Z. Kailie, Colonel D.O. Johnson and Colonel V. Momoh were promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Two additional officers were also promoted to Brigadier General in absentia.
President Bio called on the newly promoted officers to uphold the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, integrity and ethical leadership in the service of the nation.
Presenting the purpose of the ceremony, Secretary to the President, Mr Baba Fortune, explained that the promotions followed recommendations from the appropriate military authorities after the officers had been assessed and certified for advancement.
He noted that the President approved the recommendations on 1 October 2026, following a meeting of the Number One Promotion Board held on 30 September 2026.
The Director-General of the Ministry of Defence subsequently read the officers’ citations, highlighting their military experience, professional training and academic qualifications, including doctoral degrees, medical qualifications, legal training and master’s degrees in various fields.
Congratulating the officers, President Bio described their promotions as significant milestones that carried greater responsibilities and expectations. He noted that their advancement reflected years of dedicated service and urged them to justify the confidence placed in them through exemplary conduct and professional leadership.
“Promotion comes with responsibility, but that is not strange to all of you. As senior officers in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, you have served with dignity, and that is why you have been promoted,” he stated.
The President emphasised that discipline must remain central to military service, urging the newly promoted generals to lead with integrity, fairness and respect for the personnel under their command.
He particularly stressed the importance of safeguarding the welfare of soldiers, describing them as the military’s most valuable assets.
“Your greatest assets are your men, and they must be treated fairly and responsibly because, of all the things that you command, it is the men and women who are the most important assets,” President Bio said.
He further reminded the officers of their obligation to serve the State honestly and faithfully, stressing that their new ranks demanded stronger ethical and moral leadership.
“You owe it to the State, like all of us, to serve honestly and with fidelity at all times,” he added.
Reflecting on his own military career, President Bio recalled his promotion to Brigadier General during the civil war, noting that the circumstances of the conflict had made a formal decoration ceremony impossible at the time. He welcomed the presence of the officers’ families, spouses and well-wishers, acknowledging their sacrifices and support throughout the officers’ careers.
Speaking on behalf of the newly promoted officers, Major General MM Kposowa expressed gratitude to President Bio for the confidence reposed in them, describing the promotions as both recognition of their past service and a call to greater responsibility.
He reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Sierra Leone’s territorial integrity, obeying the lawful commands of the Commander-in-Chief and contributing to the development of a modern, disciplined and professional armed forces. He also thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, the Ministry of Defence and family members for their support and sacrifices.
The ceremony underscored President Bio’s emphasis on professional military leadership, accountability, discipline and constitutional loyalty, as the RSLAF continues to strengthen its institutional capacity and commitment to safeguarding Sierra Leone’s sovereignty, security and national interests.