Sierra Leone has taken a major step to strengthen its national and regional security architecture with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), alongside the official launch of the coalition’s strategic initiative in the country.
The high-level ceremony was held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Freetown International Conference Centre (Bintumani), bringing together senior government officials, security sector leaders, diplomats, and international partners. The agreement is aimed at enhancing Sierra Leone’s counter-terrorism capacity amid growing security threats across West Africa, particularly from the volatile Sahel region.
Under the partnership, Sierra Leone’s defence and security personnel will receive advanced counter-terrorism training and, in turn, engage religious leaders including Imams and Pastors to address extremist ideologies and promote peaceful narratives within communities. The initiative also prioritizes the development of expertise in anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing, strengthening the country’s ability to disrupt financial networks that sustain terrorism.
The MOU was signed on behalf of Sierra Leone’s security sector by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, while Major General Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi signed for the IMCTC.
Welcoming the IMCTC delegation, the National Security Coordinator at the Office of National Security, Abdulai Caulker, described the launch as a defining moment in Sierra Leone’s counter-terrorism journey. He noted that the initiative reflects the country’s firm commitment to collective security and intelligence-driven cooperation, while also strengthening ties with international partners. Mr. Caulker praised the leadership of Julius Maada Bio for consolidating strategic alliances that enhance both national and regional security.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor, warned that terrorism and violent extremism continue to pose serious risks across Sub-Saharan Africa. He emphasized that no single country can confront these threats alone, stressing the importance of multilateral cooperation. He commended the IMCTC for extending professional counter-terrorism training to Sierra Leone’s security sector, describing it as timely and impactful.
Addressing the gathering, Major General Al-Moghedi expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded to him and his delegation. He underscored the need for integrated and coordinated partnerships to effectively tackle terrorism, noting the strong backing of the Saudi Arabia for the coalition’s work. He stressed that terrorism is a global phenomenon requiring cross-border collaboration rather than fragmented responses.
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Barrie, provided historical insight into the formation of the IMCTC, which was established in December 2015 under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. He explained that the coalition was created to counter the misrepresentation of Islam as a terrorist religion, promote unity among Islamic nations, and jointly combat extremism worldwide. Ambassador Barrie called for further IMCTC support for Sierra Leone, including capacity building, the establishment of a counter-terrorism centre in Freetown, enhanced research collaboration, intelligence sharing, and public diplomacy initiatives to counter extremist narratives.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Defence and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Julius Maada Bio, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Muana Brima Massaquoi, expressed profound gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Saudi Crown Prince for their leadership in establishing the IMCTC. He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s recognition of terrorism as a transnational threat that demands shared responsibility and sustained international partnership.
A key component of the initiative is a three-week intensive training programme for selected members of Sierra Leone’s security forces. The programme will equip participants with skills to identify, neutralize, and safely dispose of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The final phase focuses on practical counter-terrorism operations, including search and response techniques in scenarios involving people, vehicles, buildings, and public spaces.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, who reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to the objectives of the IMCTC and to strengthening peace and security within the sub-region and beyond.