The Legal Aspects of Defense Support to Civil Authorities 18010 course presented the inaugural Vincent Sowa Award to Group Captain Musa Sanda-Jika from Nigeria.

The Sowa Award is to honor the memory of Lt Col Vincent Sowa from Sierra Leone.  The award citation reads:

"In recognition of your superb performance and leadership during the 2018 Legal Aspects of Defense Support to Civil Authorities (LADSCA) course at the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS), we are extremely pleased to award you the Vincent Sowa Award.   

Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Sowa was an exceptional member of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces where he had a distinguished career as a legal advisor.  He provided critical legal advice during a number of significant military operations, including the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak where he was lauded for his contributions to the military response, as a legal advisor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and during devastating floods in his own country during 2017, which led to his untimely death.  Lieutenant Colonel Sowa was also a graduate of the inaugural LADSCA course in 2014 and a guest Subject Matter Expert for the 2016 LADSCA course, which he addressed from his post in Somalia.  He epitomized the role of a great legal advisor and the powerful impact a legal advisor can have on the conduct of military operations to ensure peace, justice, and compliance with the rule of law.

You have demonstrated similar qualities and deserve recognition for your excellent work.  We hope that you continue to have success in your future and look forward to continuing your relationship with DIILS and the United States military."

The award criteria is based upon:  Leadership; Contribution/Participation in the Course; Mastery of Course Concepts; Interest in and Dedication to the topic of Military-Civilian Support and Cooperation; and finally, Concern for Fellow Course Participants.

DIILS congratulations Group Captain Sanda-Jika.

Photos:  Left to right:  Brigadier General Lavahun (Sierra Leone), Col Davies, and Group Captain Sanda-Jika (Nigeria). Profile:  Lt Col Vincent Sowa from Sierra Leone.