Ministry of Defence and National Security (Sierra Leone)

Mission Statement The mission of the Ministry is to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate strategic defence policy for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) that is effective and fostered within a framework of democratic governance.

The department is headed by the Minister of Defence and National Security, who must be a civilian, and is appointed by the President of Sierra Leone and must be confirmed by the Parliament of Sierra Leone in order to take office.

The current Minister of Defence and National Security is a retired Brig Gen Kellie Hassan Conteh, who was appointed by President Julius Maada Bio in October 2020.

Like all government ministries in the country, the Minister of Defence can be dismissed by the president of Sierra Leone at any time.

During the Sierra Leone civil war, Sierra Leone's president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah appointed himself Minister of Defence and National Security, which is legal.