By: Mohamed M. Sesay
During the Command Group Conference staged at the Myohaung Officers Mess Wilberforce Barracks, the Chief of Defense Staff Lt. Gen. PK Lavahun, has on Thursday the 15th of December 2022, assured his personnel that despite the multiple Challenges within the RSLAF, President Bio’s led-Government is committed in providing the necessary support for the Republic of the Sierra Leone Arm Forces (RSLAF) in terms of capacity building. The theme of the conference which is “RSLAF capability to provide security for the people of Sierra Leone”.
In his statement, Lt. Gen. PK Lavahun said he was delight to be at the conference and also stressed on the importance of the conference which geared towards discussing the Republic of the Sierra Leone Arm Forces capability in terms of providing security for the people of Sierra Lone.
He added that the theme of the conference aligns with section 165 subsection 2 of the 1991 of the constitution which crystalizes the overarching objective of the conference in exploring practical approaches that would enhance the RSLAF capability in providing maximum security for the people of Sierra Leone.
“I am happy that the honorable Minister of Defense and his deputy are here and they are with us here for insights on the deliberation of RSLAF capability in providing security for the people of Sierra Leone. I only hope that we will not be oblivious of the fact that achieving this theme, we must look at the ways and means as to how this can be achieved”, he said.
CDS Lavahun therefore encouraged the participants not to take the conference as a mere academic exercise. He also urged all and sundry to take the two days conference as a forum to earmark possible solutions to the issues bordering on RSLAF survival . He acknowledged the multiple challenges pulling aback the RSLAF capability in providing security of the state.
On his Part, the Minister of Defense Brigadier General Kellie Hassan Conteh thanked the Commander Joint Force (CJF) for inviting him to such milestone event. He expressed delight that the conference is indeed a good practice for the CJF to call for a conference of this nature on yearly basis. He said the conference brought together senior commanders and staff constituting a good part of the brainbox of the armed forces to brainstorm on key issues bordering on the force and to also proffer reasonable and workable solutions to assist the Senior Management arrive at sound decisions.
“I am informed that the theme for this year’s conference “Enhancing RSLAF’s Capability in providing Security for the People of Sierra Leone” was carefully thought through. I hope you will agree with me that this theme is quite apt as it suits the RSLAF’s current context in these challenging and trying moments in its history. At a time like this when the RSLAF is increasingly required to do more for less, and, think more intensely outside of the box”, he said.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police Mohamed Brima Jah, expressed that the conference was indeed a laudable event which worth emulating by other sister forces. He acknowledged that the RSLAF has been supporting the Sierra Leone police in terms of peace and security. AIG Brima Jah also edified that the police are responsible for internal security but due to the dynamics of security implication in modern times, the police has and would always rely on the support of the military to come to the aid of the police. He made pragmatic example to the recent august 10th civil unrest when the police called for the involvement of the military especially when nefarious citizens were killing police officers. He added that the involvement of military into deadly civil unrest would always be sought by the police whenever necessary as such is the global standards for s state to invoke Military Police operation.
As the country prepares for the 2023 multi-tier elections, AIG Brima Jah unequivocally made it clear that they rely on the military for effective security of the entire electioneering process. He also called on other sister forces like the correctional center, the fire force and traditional authorities for providing effective security for the people of Sierra Leone before, during and after the 2023 elections. He therefore, concluded by commending RSLAF for staging such timely conference.
The Acting Director General of the Sierra Leone correctional center Col. SD Ngaujah, also stressed on the importance of the conference as the conference aimed at capacitating RSLAF in terms of providing adequate security for the people of Sierra Leone. He disclosed that youth gullibility, porous border crossing, growing unemployment are among the multiple potential threats for the insecurity of the state. He therefore, called for more robust approach to the contemporary Sierra Leone challenges. He continued that Sierra Leone needs a dynamic and smart leadership. He RSLAF has made tremendous gains in reforming itself as a key player in facilitating the country’s development. The Acting Director General assured that RSLAF would continue to support sister security institutions and various MDAs in providing security for the nation. He called for more quality training, professional and capability development for officers of RSLAF.
