This morning, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) was woken up with false publication that RSLAF has gone without rice supply for four months.
In response, the RSLAF describes the story as not only false but unethical as the newspaper failed to cross-check and fact-check it.
The RSLAF wants the public to know that there has been no disruption in the regular supply of rice and other essential ration to troops across the country.
Furthermore, the RSLAF also wants the public to know that the institution maintains a steady and well managed food supply chain to support operational effectiveness and to maintain troops morale.
Additionally, the RSLAF is working assiduously to support the Government’s Feed Salone Initiative.
In Mabalay, Gbakeh Loko Chiefdom in Port Loko District, the RSLAF has planted cashews on a 550 acre farm. The cashews are inter-cropped with beans and pepper.
In Musaia, Dembeleyah Chiefdom, Falaba District, the RSLAF is engaged in animal farming on a 500 acre land.
In Bumpeh Tabay, Gao Chiefdom, Bo District, the RSLAF has acquired a 250 acre land for fishing farming, which activity will commence soon.
Currently, the RSLAF is engaged in massive rice cultivation on a 600 acre farm at Yoni, Kamajei Chiefdom in Moyamba District.
Importantly, the RSLAF has recently established and registered a company known as Lion Agricultural Company for all its agricultural activities
During his maiden tour in the provinces, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangura assured the troops that by 2026, the RSLAF would be well equipped to produce a lot of rice to feed itself.
Lieutenant-General Bangura disclosed that through his international engagements, His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Retired Brigadier-General Julius Maada Bio is greatly building the platform for RSLAF to embark on and lead in agricultural activities.
Hence, last week the Egyptian Armed Forces Delegation led by Major General Hesham Abdel Mohsen El- Ghareib El Gendy visited Sierra Leone to look at the various areas in which the Egyptian Armed Forces would capacitate RSLAF. The areas assessed by the Delegation included agriculture activities, medical services, engineering services and border guard force training.
The visit of the Egyptian Armed Forces was born out of the Military Cooperation Protocol, which had signed between the Ministry of Defence of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The said Agreement between the two countries was ratified in the Sierra Leone’s House of Parliament on 26th March, 2024.
For information about RSLAF, please visit our Facebook page at Ministry of Defence/Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces or our Website at www.mod.gov.sl.
Yayah Brima, Esq.,Lieutenant Colonel, Director, Directorate of Defence Public Relations and Information, Defence Headquarters, Cockerill Barracks, Freetown.
Phone/WhatsApp: 078 452 876
