Brigadier General Massaquoi Assesses ECOWAS Operational Readiness

Brigadier General Massaquoi Assesses ECOWAS Operational Readiness

On Saturday, May 23, 2026, Brigadier General Sheik Sulaiman Massaquoi, the recently appointed Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF), conducted a high-level working visit to the ECOMIG Ghana Company 9 (GHANCOY 9) Base Camp at Barra, The Gambia. 

This visit served as a critical assessment of the troops' operational readiness and reinforced the regional commitment to security stability. General Massaquoi's leadership in this mission is particularly significant as he is the first Sierra Leonean to hold this prestigious appointment, bringing over 30 years of extensive military experience to the multinational rapid-response unit.

Upon his arrival, the Chief of Staff was received with a Quarter Guard mounted in his honour, followed by a comprehensive ground orientation of the camp facilities. 

The visit included detailed briefings on operational, administrative, and logistics matters, alongside a meticulous inspection of key installations such as the Medical Reception Station (MRS), the mechanical transport yard, and personnel accommodation blocks. 

These evaluations are central to his mandate of leading operational planning and logistics for the ESF, further highlighting Sierra Leone's expanding influence in regional peacekeeping and security architecture.

During an interactive session with the personnel, Brigadier General Massaquoi commended the troops for their professionalism and unwavering dedication to responding to emerging security threats. 

He specifically lauded the Combat Team Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Yaw Agbemafle, for his exceptional leadership. 

The General expressed particular delight in the Company's successful Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiatives, encouraging the personnel to maintain their momentum in fostering strong community relations while upholding the highest standards of military readiness.