A joint delegation from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Directorate of Legal Services and the Michigan National Guard has concluded a two-day State Partnership Programme engagement with the Judge Advocate General Corps of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in Monrovia.
The engagement aimed to strengthen the AFL JAG Corps, enhance regional military legal cooperation and support efforts to establish a Court Martial system that promotes discipline, accountability and the rule of law within the Liberian Armed Forces.
The RSLAF delegation, led by Assistant Chief of Defence Staff for Legal, Brigadier General M.B.S. Kamara Esq., arrived in Monrovia on August 30, 2026. Other members included Major E.K. John Esq., Major O.C. Bangura Esq., Captain Y.B. Kamara Esq. and Corporal A. Kamara.
On the first day, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the AFL Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Davidson Forleh, at the Barclay Training Center. During the meeting, Brigadier General Davidson Forleh reaffirmed the AFL’s commitment to the State Partnership Programme and welcomed continued cooperation with the RSLAF and the Michigan National Guard.
A conference was later held at AFL Headquarters, beginning with a welcome address by the AFL Deputy Chief of Staff. Representatives of the Michigan National Guard and the RSLAF legal team also delivered opening remarks.
Lieutenant Colonel Prestine Bombo provided an overview of the purpose and objectives of the visit, while Lieutenant Junior Grade Bladee delivered a presentation on the AFL’s justice system. The session included an interactive question-and-answer segment and was formally closed by the Judge Advocate of the AFL JAG Corps, Colonel Joseph Pallay.
The second day opened with a presentation by Colonel Hunter of the Michigan National Guard Legal Team at the AFL Headquarters Conference Hall. Discussions focused on military justice, institutional development and the legal structures required to strengthen discipline and accountability within the AFL.
The delegation subsequently met with Counsellor Tiawan S. Gongloe, Senior Consulting Counsel at Gongloe and Associates Inc. and a former AFL Judge Advocate. He shared perspectives on Liberia’s military justice system and jurisprudence, drawing on his experience prosecuting a 1994 coup case while serving as a colonel.
The team also visited the President of the Liberian National Bar Association, Counsellor Juah Lawson, who welcomed the delegation and stressed the importance of establishing a robust institutional policy to guide the AFL’s evolving legal framework.
The engagement concluded with a visit to the Temple of Justice, where members of the delegation observed proceedings at the Civil Law Court and gained further insight into Liberia’s judicial system.
The RSLAF Defence Headquarters Legal Directorate said the engagement forms part of continuing efforts under the State Partnership Programme to strengthen the AFL JAG Corps and support the establishment of a Court Martial capable of promoting discipline, justice and respect for the rule of law.
