By: Mohamed M. Sesay
In his official coronation as the new Chief of Defense Staff of the Republic of the Sierra Leone Arm Forces at the Headquarters of the Joint Force Command Cockerill Barracks, the New Chief of Defense Staff Lieutenant General Peter K. Lavahun (COOR), called on all serving personnel to stay together, fight together, and above all, defeat any enemy that seeks to disturb the peace and tranquility of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Lieutenant General Lavahun also reassured the gathering that the RSLAF shall remain a democratic and accountable Arm Forces Loyal to the President and People of Sierra Leone. He said they would continue to carry out their constitutional duties enshrined in their defense missions and military task. He added that they would execute such responsibility with all commitments as obliged by their oath of allegiance.
Lieutenant General Lavahun continued that their contributions as a force in sustaining peace, stability and nation building, would be delivered at all times to the people of Sierra Leone. He extended profound thanks and appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for its commitment to providing continued support to RSLAF to become the best in the sub-region. He assured that he would use his appointment as Chief of Defense Staff together with his General Ranking Officers, to further transform the RSLAF to be accountable and mission oriented.
He confessed that his predecessor Lieutenant General Retire Sullay Ibrahim Sesay has been a very industrious officer and he thanked him for his laudable leadership of the RSLAF over the past thirty years of national service. “We came and all of us will go one day and as General Ranking Officers, we are in our exiting rank. So we are behind”, he said.
The New Chief of Defense Staff also revealed that his predecessor led the RSLAF with humility, dignified authority and courage which the RSLAF appreciates such service. He equally extended thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Defense for its political support in ensuring that better conditions of service are provided for serving personnel. He added that the political support from the Ministry of Defense makes it possible for the officers and soldiers to deliver on their responsibilities as anticipated of them.
“We must and we should prepare to stay together, fight together, and above all, defeat any enemy that seeks to disturb the peace and tranquility of all of us”, he said.
In his solemn statement, the outgone Chief of Defense Staff Lieutenant General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay (GCOOR), revealed that their 1991 batch is the luckiest because his predecessor was the 1991 batch, he is a 1991 batch and also handing over authority to a 1991 batch in the person of Lieutenant General Lavahun.
Lieutenant General Sesay also disclosed that when he joined the RSLAF thirty-one years ago, he never thought of becoming the Chief of Defense Staff. After thirty-one years of impeccable service to the RSLAF and as Chief of Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Sesay thanked the president and the people of Sierra Leone for the confidence imposed in him to serve as the Chief of Defense Staff in which he served for two years.
During his tenure as Chief of Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Sullay Sesay also intimated that the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone Madam Fatima Jabbie Bio transformed the 34 Military Hospital into a premier hospital which is now worth commendation. He, therefore, thanked the First Lady for soliciting such funds in transforming the 34 Military Hospitals without government funding.
He also expressed optimism that the new Chief of Defense Staff has all that it takes to move the RSLAF forward in terms of institutional development, and masters all the challenges ahead.
“On that note, I want to call on all the personnel in the RSLAF to remain professional, apolitical and elevate with pride and dignity with cherished values of the RSLAF. Use your strength, courage and dedication in support of the new Chief of Defense Staff”, he concluded.
In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel Rtd Moina Brima Massaquoi intimated to the gathering that changes in the RSLAF are a routine administrative procedure to keep the institution ever evolving. He said such changes are premised on regimental policies and procedures and by the powers of the 1991 constitution that lay the foundation for such changes.
He added that the recent changes in the RSLAF have been guided by the aforementioned processes. As he bid farewell to General Sullay Sesay, the Deputy Minister of Defense also reminded the outgone Chief of Defense Staff that the RSLAF is always his home.
He continued that the appointment of Lieutenant General Lavahun is a clear indication of the trust President Bio has in the professional development of the RSLAF. He expressed no iota of doubt in the capability of the new Chief of Defense Staff in moving the RSLAF to an enviable height. He also advised the new Chief of Defense Staff to be mindful as he is personally responsible to fulfil the requirement in meeting the expectation of the trust President Bio has placed in him. That emotional occasion was climaxed with a pulling-out parade coupled with a farewell ceremony in honour of the outgone Chief of Defense Staff.
