The Deputy Director Chief in the Office of International Military Cooperation (OIMC) in Beijing, Major General Song Yanchao, has, on behalf of the Chinese Government and the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, officially received the newly posted Military Defense Attaché to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Beijing, Lieutenant Colonel Bai Mandumoi Coomber.
Officially welcoming the Defense Attaché, Major General Song Yanchao described Lt. Col. Coomber as an experienced officer haven worked with the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission and recently as Chief Security Officer to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. ’With such enormous experience, “I am optimistic that you will contribute immensely in strengthening the long standing and unshakeable relationship between the two-Armed Forces of Sierra Leone and China that was built on a record of good mannerism”, Major General Song Yanchao said, referring to Lt. Col. Coomber.
Through this relationship Major General Yanchao went on, the Chinese Armed Forces has been able to render assistance to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) ranging from medical services, training and scholarships. ‘The recent construction of the Officers’ MESS and Centre for Disease Control (CDC) for West Africa Region based at the 34 Military Hospital both at Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown including the establishment of the RSLAF Artillery Unit are also development packages that emanated from our long-standing friendship’, Major General Yanchao affirmed.
The Chinese Major General disclosed that with the directives of Chinese President Xi Jinping, China has endeavoured to build a win-win partnership with Sierra Leone spanning to 50 years now. The General went on to say that China has reached a new starting point in its development endeavours guided by innovation, coordination and inclusiveness. ‘China has also achieved its centenary goals as it recently celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Communist success, he added.
He continued that the Chinese Government has put in place stringent measures to curb the virus under the direct leadership of President Xi Jinping.
Concluding, the Chinese General in the office of International Military Cooperation on behalf of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and by extension the Chinese People’s Government disclosed his intention to visit the Republic of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea Bissau in the West Africa Region.
Responding, Lt. Col. Coomber on behalf of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Force, profusely thanked the Chinese Government and Officers at the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China for what he described as the warm reception accorded him.
Lt. Col. Coomber also thanked the Chinese Government for the numerous assistance it had rendered to RSLAF, people and Government of Sierra Leone over the years.
‘Sierra Leoneans are appreciative of the vaccine donated to the Country by the Chinese Government,’ the Defense Attaché said.
He also said on behalf of the CDS, he thanked the Chinese Government for the construction of the Military MESS at Wilberforce Barracks.
Lt. Col. Coomber praised the Chinese Government handling of the COVID – I9 Pandemic and assured Major General Song Yanchao of his cooperation at all times.
Present at the welcoming ceremony were Senior Colonels, Majors and Staff Officers of the International Military Cooperation in the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China.
Brima Dawson Kuyateh
Press Attaché
Sierra Leone Embassy in Beijing,
People’s Republic of China.
