By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, wow! What a moment for Sierra Leone, especially in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Sierra Leone (RSLAF). But this moment, Mr. President, comes with a heavy heart for many. Why the sudden, forced retirement of senior military officers?
It is no secret that in Sierra Leone, when the military shakes, the nation trembles. Our history has taught us this lesson all too well. Mr. President, your recent decision to retire a significant number of senior military officers has left Sierra Leoneans in a state of shock, confusion, and concern. It is as if we have been thrown back into the dark days of President Siaka Stevens, who manipulated the security forces, especially the army, to tighten his grip on power.
Mr. President, you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. You have the constitutional authority to hire and fire. But does that mean the army should be treated like a game of ping pong?
The army is not a political institution. It is a sacred pillar of national security, tasked with defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sierra Leone. When you manipulate it for political gain, you compromise not just the institution but the very fabric of our nation’s stability.
Forced retirements of experienced officers are not just about personnel changes. They disrupt the chain of command, erode morale, and create a vacuum of leadership. What message does this send to the rank and file? That loyalty to the nation and years of service can be discarded at the whims of political expediency.
Mr. President, if you must make changes to any security agency, perhaps your focus should be on the Sierra Leone Police. Unlike the army, which has largely remained apolitical and professional, the police have become a tool of oppression, suppressing dissent and terrorizing ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has become a symbol of fear rather than security. Day after day, we hear of extrajudicial killings, harassment of civilians, and a general disregard for human rights. Mr. President, is this what law enforcement is supposed to be?
Recently, the killing of innocent Sierra Leoneans by police officers has become a worrying trend. The families of victims cry out for justice, but their cries fall on deaf ears. The police, instead of protecting lives, have become the perpetrators of violence.
Mr. President, I ask again, Why all these killings? Why do you think we are stupid? Your government appears to believe that the people of Sierra Leone are too powerless or too uninformed to question these violations. But, Mr. President, we see everything. We understand what is happening. And we are not stupid.
Mr. President, let’s talk about the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The benchmarks set by the MCC are supposed to guide your government toward good governance, respect for human rights, and economic growth. Yet, your actions seem to be the exact opposite.
Do you evaluate the consequences of your decisions before implementing them? The international community is watching, Mr. President. They see the human rights violations, the suppression of dissent, and the erosion of democratic institutions. How do you expect Sierra Leone to meet the MCC benchmarks when the very foundation of human rights is being trampled upon?
Do you believe the MCC will turn a blind eye to the killings and the abuse of power? Do you think the world will ignore the growing authoritarianism in Sierra Leone? Mr. President, you are planting seeds of discord, and the harvest will not be pleasant.
Let me take you back to a recent incident involving a former member of parliament, Hon. Emanuel Saidu Conteh. He was attacked, beaten, butchered, and humiliated. The question, Mr. President, is simple. Who sent those who attacked him? Who gave the orders? And why? And why has the police not made any arrest of those who attacked him?
In a democracy, even political opponents deserve protection. The attack on a former MP is not just an assault on an individual; it is an assault on democracy itself. It sends a chilling message to anyone who dares to oppose your government.
Mr. President, if the police have become your personal enforcers, then where is the rule of law? If the military is being reshaped to suit political interests, where is the national interest?
Sierra Leone is on edge. The people are frustrated, disillusioned, and angry. The police, instead of defusing tensions, are pushing people closer to the brink. When justice is denied, when security forces become oppressors, and when the government turns a deaf ear to the cries of its citizens, the nation becomes a powder keg waiting to explode. Mr. President, is this the legacy you want to leave behind? A legacy of fear, suppression, and discord?
Mr. President, it is not too late to change course. The people of Sierra Leone are not your enemies. They are your fellow citizens, the very people you swore to serve and protect.
Reconsider the forced retirements in the military. Allow seasoned officers to serve and mentor the next generation. Stability in the armed forces is crucial for national security.
Reform the Sierra Leone Police. Root out corruption, end extrajudicial killings, and restore public trust in law enforcement. The police must protect the people, not oppress them.
Respect human rights and the rule of law. No government can thrive on the suppression of its citizens. Sierra Leone’s future depends on justice, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties.
Engage with the international community. Show the world that Sierra Leone is committed to upholding democratic values and human rights, not just in words but in actions. Mr. President, can we talk? Not as adversaries, but as Sierra Leoneans who care deeply about the future of our country. The decisions you make today will shape the Sierra Leone of tomorrow. The people are watching. The world is watching. And history will judge.
What kind of Sierra Leone do you want to be remembered for?
