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The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Aiah Edward Samadia, on September 12th 2024, received a detailed report from a delegation representing the African Union (AU) following a four-day oversight mission to the Sierra Leone Police (SLP).
The delegation, consisting of three members from AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, focused on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the peacekeeping mission in Somalia, as well as issues related to accountability documents, acknowledgement receipts, and the reimbursement reconciliation of Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) and payroll for personnel of the Sierra Leone Formed Police Unit (SLFPU).
The delegation included Jonathan Ndeto, Head of Peace Support Operations and Field Mission Unit in the Peace & Security Finance Division; Noufou Ouedraogo, Assistant Accountant at Political Affairs Peace & Security Finance; and Assistant Commissioner of Police Nancy Obekpa, Police Support & Administrative Officer in the Peace Support Operations Division.
During the report handingover, Ndeto praised the SLP for their warm hospitality and cooperation throughout the oversight process. He noted that their findings were aligned with expectations but highlighted that COE reimbursements and FPU payroll funds had not yet been dispatched from AU Headquarters. Ndeto assured DIG Samadia that upon their return, they would work to address these payment backlogs, particularly as the AU had recently received contributions from the UK, while still awaiting funds from the EU. He emphasized the importance of continued timely submission of accountable documents as the AU and Sierra Leone prepare for the development of a new comprehensive MoU for 2025.
In his response, DIG Samadia expressed concern regarding SLFPU-4 personnel who have not received their full mission allowances nearly a year after departing from the mission theatre. He dismissed claims made by some journalists that payments had been completed by the AU, clarifying that the SLP management had not disbursed these funds to the personnel. Samadia underscored the critical need for COE reimbursements to bolster effective service delivery to ongoing missions and to ensure proper training and preparation for future deployments. He urged the delegation to ensure prompt facilitation of these payments upon their arrival in Addis Ababa.
