By Sahid Bangura

As part of efforts by the Defence Ministry in reforming its strength and retaining its stance as it was prior to the November 26, 2023 saga (failed attempted coup), the Office of The Directorate of Defence has in a press release affirmed its endorsement for the retirement of 37 Armed Forces personnel.

The retirement of the 37 retired officers from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces was endorsed in a Defence Council meeting held on the 18 January, 2024 by the Ministry of Defence and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces.

The Press Release highlights four different categories in which the retirement of the officers was endorsed. It stated: “Voluntary Discharge- Six (6) officers from the rank of Second Lieutenant to major, Compulsory Discharge on grounds of Absent without Leave (AWOL) – Eight (8) officers from the rank of Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel, Compulsory Discharge on grounds of Subversion- Eighteen (18) officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Major, and Compulsory Discharge on grounds on Misconduct- Five (5) officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Colonel.”

The decision of the Ministry, as stated in the press release, “was in pursuant to section 169 (1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991.” Adding that it was also geared by other “Instruments on Administration and Discipline in Section 26 and 27 a and b of the Army Order Act No. 1 of 1965 of RSLAF.”

As a way of bringing to the full knowledge of the public, as stated in the release, the Ministry promised to publish detail information about the affected officers. It stated: “In view of this, the public is further informed that the details of officers affected in these categories will be published in the Sierra Leone Gazette.”