US Signs Military Support Agreement with Sierra Leone

1. The United States Africa Command (known as US AFRICOM) last week signed a military support Agreement with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
2. The said Agreement, which is known as the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) was signed on Monday, 8th September, 2025 by the US AFRICOM Team Lead, Brigadier-General George TM Diertrich on behalf of the US and Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Retired Colonel Muana Brima Massaquoi on behalf of Sierra Leone.

III.   Highlighting the benefits of the Agreement, the US AFRICOM Team Lead said that the Agreement would enhance the two countries’ ability to respond jointly to humanitarian crises and natural disasters, enabling faster and effective exchange of essential supplies and logistical support.

1. Brigadier-General Dietrich also said that the Agreement would support a wide range of activities, including joint training exercises, port calls and maritime operations.
2. The US AFRICOM Team Lead assured that the Agreement would ensure that Sierra Leone military support is appropriately recognized through funding, reciprocal exchange or in-kind contributions.
3. Brigadier-General Dietrich expressed excitement about the opportunities of the Agreement such as joint training, disaster response and logistical support.

VII.   “The US is proud to stand with Sierra Leone as a partner and friend, and we are committed to a long and successful relationship”, the US AFRICOM Team Lead said.

VIII.   Brigadier-General Dietrich also expressed gratitude that the US deeply valued Sierra Leone’s continued support on vital regional security issues, including her participation in important military exercises such as OBANGAME EXPRESS.

1. According to the US AFRICOM Team Lead, the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) is a cornerstone of the US security partnership around the world. Over the years, the US has signed such Agreement with 132 countries worldwide, thirty-one of such Agreement have been signed with African countries, with Sierra Leone being the latest.
2. In his statement, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Retired Colonel Muana Brima Massaquoi said that the signing of the Agreement marked another milestone event in strengthening defence co-operation and international partnership between Sierra Leone and the US.
3. Retired Colonel Massaquoi emphasized that the Agreement symbolized Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to fostering closer military collaboration, enhancing operational security and ensuring mutual support with the US Armed Forces.

XII.   The Deputy Defence Minister said that through the international partnership the two-Armed Forces would not only augment their logistical capabilities but would also reinforce their collective security and stability.

XIII.   “The Agreement reflects our dedication to building a resilient, interoperable and united defence arrangement that can effectively address contemporary security challenges. In spite of the fact that the two Armed Forces are far apart, the Agreement will breach the distance to a zero mileage”, Retired Colonel Massaquoi emphasized.

XIV.   The US AFRICOM is one of the unified combatant commands of the US around the World. Though it is headquartered in Germany, the US AFRICOM is responsible for the US military operations in as well as the military relations with Africa. With its partners and allies, the US AFRICOM counters transnational threats, responds to crises and strengthens African security forces.