At the Senior Officers’ Mess, Kingtom Police Barracks in Freetown, on Thursday, 9th April 2026, Sierra Leone was commended as one of the most peaceful countries in Africa as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TiKA) extended a significant training offer to the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) aimed at strengthening the capacity of the force.
The Country Director of TiKA in Sierra Leone, Mirzet Muezzinoglu, made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu.
He noted that Sierra Leone stands out as the most peaceful among ten African countries he has recently visited.
According to Muezzinoglu, his experience of peace and tranquillity in the country is unmatched, describing it as “second to none” compared to others on the continent. He commended the Sierra Leone Police for their role as custodians of internal security, attributing the country’s stability in part to their efforts.
Highlighting TiKA’s commitment to supporting development, Muezzinoglu disclosed that the agency has now established an operational office in Freetown. He emphasized that human resource development remains a critical factor in advancing any sector, including security.
As part of efforts to strengthen ties with partner nations, he revealed that the Turkish Police have made available training opportunities in more than 100 specialized modules. He explained that his visit was to formally present the offer and encourage the SLP to select relevant courses and indicate their interest.
In response, Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu underscored the importance of capacity building in achieving institutional effectiveness, describing it as a key pillar for success in modern policing. He noted that the offer aligns with the Government’s Human Capital Development agenda, one of the flagship priorities of the President Julius Maada Bio-led administration.
Sellu further highlighted the long-standing relationship between Sierra Leone and Turkey, expressing appreciation for TiKA’s intervention in supporting the professional growth of the police force.
Reflecting on his leadership, the Police Chief revealed that upon assuming office three years ago, he identified human capital gaps as a major challenge within the force. He said his engagements with diplomatic partners have consistently focused on improving personnel capacity to meet international best practices and professional standards.
He also pointed to the evolving nature of crime, noting that areas such as cybercrime, forensics, and human trafficking were non-existent when he joined the force three decades ago but have now become central to modern policing.
“In policing, when you are not trained, you are left behind,” Sellu stated, while welcoming the training proposal and assuring TiKA of a prompt response.
The TiKA delegation also included Umut Sasmaz, who accompanied the Country Director during the engagement.