A joint delegation of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Directorate of Legal Services and legal advisers from the Michigan National Guard concluded a two-day State Partnership Program (SPP) visit with the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in Monrovia on 1 September 2026. The visit began with the delegation’s arrival on 30 August and aimed to exchange expertise on military justice, strengthen institutional links, and support Liberia’s efforts to strengthen its military legal framework.
Brig led the RSLAF team. Gen. M.B.S. Kamara Esq., Assistant Chief of Defence Staff for Legal and comprised of Maj. E.K. John Esq., Maj. O.C. Bangura Esq., Capt. Y.B. Kamara Esq. and Cpl A. Kamara. Throughout the program, members of the Michigan National Guard legal team provided comparative perspectives and technical assistance during discussions with AFL legal personnel.
AFL Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Davidson Forleh paid a courtesy call on the delegation at the Barclay Training Centre on the first day. Brig. Gen. Forleh reaffirmed the AFL’s commitment to the State Partnership Program and collaboration to enhance the capacity of the JAG Corps. A conference was convened at AFL Headquarters, including a welcome address by the AFL Deputy Chief of Staff and opening remarks from representatives of the Michigan National Guard and the RSLAF legal contingent.
Lt. Col. Prestine Bombo provided an overview of the visit’s objectives and planned activities, and Lt. JG Bladee provided a presentation on the structure and operations of the AFL justice system. Col. Joseph Pallay, Judge Advocate of the AFL JAG Corps, closed the session, and an interactive question-and-answer segment allowed participants to probe procedural, administrative and jurisprudential issues affecting military discipline and legal oversight.
The second day began with a substantive presentation by Col. Hunter of the Michigan National Guard Legal Team in the AFL Headquarters Conference Hall, on comparative approaches to military legal practice and court-martial procedures. The delegation then had a wide-ranging meeting with Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe, Senior Consulting Counsel, Gongloe and Associates Inc., Former AFL Judge Advocate. Cllr. who has extensive experience, including prosecuting a 1994 coup case as a colonel. Gongloe discussed Liberia’s military justice system and general national jurisprudence.
The visitors also met Cllr. Juah Lawson, President of the Liberian National Bar Association, who pointed out the importance of strong institutional policy to guide the legal development of the AFL. The engagement ended with a visit to the Temple of Justice observatory, where the delegates witnessed proceedings at the Civil Law Court to gain a civilian judicial perspective.
“The visit is part of ongoing SPP efforts to strengthen the AFL JAG Corps and to support the establishment of a Court Martial to uphold discipline and the rule of law within the Armed Forces of Liberia, said RSLAF Defence Headquarters Legal.
