President Julius Maada Bio has commissioned 1,017 newly trained soldiers and officer cadets into the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), declaring that the era of military involvement in politics in Sierra Leone is over.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, 11 December 2025, at the Armed Forces Training Centre in Benguema Barracks, Waterloo.
The new intake includes 89 officer cadets and 949 enlisted soldiers. Among them are 212 female soldiers and 15 female officer cadets. The recruits went through nine months of training at the Armed Forces Training Centre and the Peace Mission Training Centre. Some trainees were removed from the programme due to drug use and disciplinary issues, leaving a total of 1,017 graduates.
Speaking at the event, President Bio said the country is now “stronger and more secure” with the addition of the new soldiers. He praised the graduates for their discipline and endurance, drawing from his own experience as a former soldier and cadet.
The President thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, commanders, instructors, and families of the graduates for their support. He also paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives or were injured while serving, saying their sacrifices helped secure peace in the country.
President Bio described the number of female graduates as historic and said his government will continue to promote women in the armed forces, including in leadership, engineering, operations, and peacekeeping roles.
He reminded the new soldiers that today’s security threats go beyond traditional warfare and include terrorism, cybercrime, climate-related disasters, and regional instability. According to him, these challenges require a professional and disciplined military.
The President also acknowledged the support of international partners such as ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, and other partners who have helped strengthen military training and peacekeeping capacity.
President Bio stressed that the armed forces must remain loyal to the Constitution and the people of Sierra Leone, stating clearly that the military will no longer play a role in national politics.
He said the government will continue to improve the welfare of soldiers, modernise equipment, and expand training opportunities to strengthen the armed forces.
President Bio ended by encouraging the graduates to serve with pride and honour. He told them that if a young cadet from Tihun could rise to become President, their own futures also hold great possibilities.
