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On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, Senior Colonel Pu Lin, the Chinese Defence Attaché to Sierra Leone, paid a courtesy visit to Brigadier General SS Massaquoi, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff for Support and Logistics, at the Ministry of Defence in Freetown.
The visit aimed to strengthen defence diplomacy and deepen military cooperation between the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China.
During the closed-door meeting, Brigadier General Massaquoi highlighted the longstanding military partnership between the RSLAF and the PLA, which dates back to Sierra Leone’s independence.
He noted that the current RSLAF leadership is committed to improving the welfare of its officers, soldiers, and their families.
Brigadier General Massaquoi seized the opportunity to outline key areas where Chinese support could further enhance RSLAF operations. He requested assistance with repairing the Cockerill Headquarters, a facility built by the Chinese government years ago, and proposed training packages for military technical courses. Additionally, he sought support for spare parts to maintain engineering equipment previously provided by China.
In response, Senior Colonel Pu Lin acknowledged the importance of the bilateral relationship and expressed his willingness to advocate for the requested assistance through his chain of command. He advised that the Ministry of Defence submit an official request through His Excellency, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, to facilitate discussions on the outlined areas of support.
On behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General AI Bangura, and the RSLAF, Brigadier General Massaquoi expressed gratitude to the Chinese Defence Attaché for the visit. He reaffirmed the RSLAF’s commitment to fostering mutual relations, collaboration, and effective coordination between the two armed forces.
The meeting underscored the enduring friendship between Sierra Leone and China, with both sides expressing a shared interest in advancing military diplomacy and cooperation.
