In a historic milestone for gender equality in the armed forces, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Alice Koria Sesay as Commanding Officer of the 14 Infantry Battalion in Pujehun. This groundbreaking appointment marks the first time a female combatant officer will command a fighting unit within Sierra Leone’s military.
The Defence Headquarters announced the promotion on Wednesday, elevating the accomplished officer who hails from Kabala in Northern Sierra Leone. Lieutenant Colonel Sesay, a Kuranko native, was commissioned as a combatant officer in 2007 after completing rigorous training at the Armed Forces Training Centre in Benguema.
Her distinguished career includes extensive international experience with United Nations peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The newly appointed battalion commander has undergone specialized military training in multiple countries, including the United States, China, Germany, and Nigeria.
Lieutenant Colonel Sesay’s academic credentials include a Diploma in Public Administration from IPAM and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Milton Margai Technical University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Diplomacy and International Relations at Fourah Bay College.
This appointment represents a significant step in the RSLAF’s ongoing transformation under President Julius Maada Bio’s directive to promote gender parity in the armed forces. The progress toward equality began in 1978 with the first recruitment of female combatant officers and reached a landmark moment in 2010 when Brigadier-General Kestoria Kabia became the first woman in West Africa to attain that rank.
The President’s commitment to gender equality was further demonstrated in 2019 when he declared September 7th as “RSLAF Women’s Day” during the commissioning ceremony of a special female recruitment squad. First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has also been instrumental in advancing opportunities for women in the military.
Defence officials confirmed that currently, 227 women are among the 1,022 trainees undergoing military training at facilities in Hastings and Benguema, reflecting the continued expansion of women’s participation in Sierra Leone’s armed forces.
