By: Thaimu Bai Sesay & Precious M. Kargbo (intern)
In a Seminar conducted to educate members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces on Military Professionalism, the Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel (Rtd) Muana Brima Massaquoi has reminded members of the RSLAF that they should always remain loyal to the constitutional leaders and authorities and be professional in their day to day conduct.
With the theme “Fostering subordination of the RSLAF to the constituted Civilian Authority in Sierra Leone,” the RSLAF conducted a two-day seminar on the 24 August 2023 at the Hocky Pitch Barracks, Wilberforce Freetown.
Speaking on the topic ‘Military Professionalism in Democracy’, the Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel (Rtd) Muana Brima Massaquoi reminded members of the RSLAF of their oath of allegiance in which he said they should always maintain the constitution, professionalism and political neutrality which includes discipline, integrity, honour, service and the code of conduct of behaviour.
The Deputy Minister of Defense emphasized that the Military conducted itself in a very high level of professionalism in the just concluded multi-tier elections in Sierra Leone. He said that was evidenced in the wide array of commendations from both local and international citizens. He affirmed that military personnel as citizens have the mandate to vote and belong to any political party but must remain professional at all times, adding that they don’t want to go where they had come from.
The Deputy Defense Minister read out the constitutional mandate of the RSLAF and expressed that he is happy that those values are flourishing in the Sierra Leone Armed Forces. “We owe it to the state and the people of this country,” he further expressed. The Deputy Defense Minister strongly admonished members of the RSLAF to continue working on that trajectory and remain professional at all times and in every situation.
Brigadier General Sahr Tejan Kanu, current Commander in Gundama, Bo and a Member of SLBA gave a comprehensive presentation on Military Coup D’Etats and Political Instability in West Africa, making reference to the coups in neighboring Francophone countries.
“There is no justification for staging a military coup,” he said.
Explaining on the dangers of coups, Brigadier general Sahr said that when a coup succeeds in a country, it would become more corrupt than the civilians. “Coups lead to destruction of lives and properties, chaos and indiscipline, excessive human right abuse, extra-judicial killings, unlawful detention, political disagreement, bad blood and hatred, military rivalry and mistrust, political instability and unrest, corruption, international condemnation and resistance, economic decline and hardship, unnecessary promotion and military arrogance, he stated.
Brigadier General Sahr condemned that it is not legitimate for a military to set up a conspiracy to unseat a democratically elected president. “We must remain loyal to the President and his successors” he said. He implied that if a government is not working well, it should be the responsibility of the people to change that government through the ballot box, adding that it is not the role of the military to change it. He made several recommendations which includes RSLAF promotion, postings and appointment policies; transparency, accountability and equal opportunities for all officers and limited political interference in the Armed Forces.
Highlighting on the disparities, roles and relationship between the Armed Forces and the State, Air Commodore MS Kamara noted that the subordination of the RSLAF to the constituted civilian authority remained the most fashionable means of promoting military professionalism. “RSLAF is responsible to defend the sovereignty, support the civil authority and promote wider national interest,” he noted.
Air Commodore expressed that military coups are no longer fashionable in any democratic society. He said the military is not a judge to decide on the affairs of the state or any government. He added that civil government should be left in the hands of civil leaders