Freetown — Some 162 personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, RSLAF, would soon leave the country to participate in peacekeeping operations in Darfur, Sudan, according to the deputy chief of defense staff and spokesman of the military.

Brig. Robert Yira Koroma told journalists at the ministry of defense conference room yesterday that the deployment of the officers in Darfur for peacekeeping mission emanated from a successful assessment of a pre-deployment visit by officers from the department of peacekeeping at the United Nations headquarters.

"The country is now poised to contribute to the United Nations African Union Peacekeeping Force in Darfur with a formed troop of a reconnaissance company. Their logistics have been sent in advance," he disclosed.

The deputy CDS said an advance party would leave Freetown on December 17 to be joined by the 162 officers on January 20, 2010.

Brig. Koroma noted that all necessary agreements governing such an operation have been signed between the government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations.

"Apart from raising high the recognition of Sierra Leone in the international arena, UN peacekeeping operations also bring financial benefits to the government in the form of foreign exchange," he said.

He added that they were looking forward to deploying a battalion in the medium term after a successful company strength contingent.

With regards the hosting of the ECOWAS chiefs of defense staff conference in Sierra Leone, the RSLAF spokesman said it would provide opportunity for the security chiefs to monitor situation in the Mano River Union from a closer distance and proffer solutions for improvement where necessary.