Post a comment 
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor Esq., on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, officially launched the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) Strategic Initiative for Sierra Leone at the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Aberdeen, Freetown.
The launch also marked the intensification of a three-week specialised training programme for selected members of Sierra Leone’s security forces, aimed at strengthening national capacity to counter terrorism and violent extremism. The training focuses on skills for identifying, neutralising, and safely disposing of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Lengor described terrorism and violent extremism as existential threats to humanity, particularly in the Sahel and coastal states of West Africa.
He said the IMCTC initiative targets key intervention areas, including addressing the root causes of terrorism that undermine international peace and security, divide communities, violate human rights and hinder sustainable development.
Minister Lengor officially launched the strategic partnership between IMCTC, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Sierra Leone’s security sector, representing the Government of Sierra Leone.
He praised the leadership of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment, as a founding member of the coalition, to strengthening cooperation with IMCTC and countering terrorism in all its forms through dialogue and collaboration.
Earlier, the National Security Coordinator in the Office of National Security (ONS), Mr. Abdulai Caulker, welcomed participants and commended President Bio for his leadership and commitment to global partnerships in strengthening national and regional security. He also applauded the IMCTC delegation for selecting Sierra Leone to launch the strategic initiative.
In a statement on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Minister of Defence, Col. Rtd. Muana Brima Massaquoi, expressed gratitude for the initiative and pledged the ministry’s full support. He noted that terrorism is a transnational threat requiring collective action, shared responsibility and sustained partnerships.
The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on military training programmes in counterterrorism, aimed at deepening cooperation between IMCTC and the Government of Sierra Leone.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including the Deputy Ministers of Internal Affairs and Defence, representatives of the security sector, and a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led by the Secretary General of IMCTC, Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi.
