The President is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Chairman of Defence Council. As such, powers to commission officers into the RSLAF (Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces) is his sole prerogative. But, these presidential powers however have been usurped by senior army officers.
RSLAF high command has promoted a second lieutenant to captain while the President’s newly commissioned specialist officer was arbitrarily demoted and placed under a mess arrest. The unlawful action of senior military officers is a direct usurpation of the President’s powers.
They have imposed their selfish will on the army. It is also a direct affront to the investiture ceremony led by President Julius Maada Bio at Benguema Armed Forces Training Centre where specialist officers were recently commissioned. The promotion of the second lieutenant to captain seems comical according to few military experts interviewed.
Experts say the Defence Council of which the President is the head enjoys the powers to promote officers to ranks of captain and above. Instances also exist in the RSLAF in which officers have been unduly promoted to next ranks without making the pass grades or attend any career course.
Some officers have been promoted while attending a career course with their colleagues who were not promoted. A leaked letter addressed to President Julius Maada Bio dated 7th June, 2021 exposes many ills in the army. The letter is seen as a blessing in disguise for other ranks if only the President lay hands on it. It is about high levels of unfairness displayed by RSLAF high command.
This press has also learned about the untimely retirement of Major Brima Kargbo by leadership of the army. Many of those interviewed said the illegal retirement of Major Kargbo is a “big loss” not only to the RSLAF but also Sierra Leone. “Huge amounts of Money were spent on his military training by the people and government of the United States of America,” one of the interviewees told this press.
According to military personnel, the officer is known for brilliance, discipline, dedication to duty, moral courage, selflessness and exemplary professionalism. Interviews also indicate that Major Kargbo exhibits high sense of responsibility and deep commitment to RFLAF’s standards in the execution of military duties.
Kargbo’s untimely retirement continues to make debates among RSLAF’s rank and file. The popularity of retired senior officer was also unearthed during undercover surveys at various military deployment areas around the country.
Many soldiers in the army currently feel disappointed saying “this is not the type of treatment they expect from their authorities.”
According to reliable sources in the RSLAF, personnel’s expectations were high after the victory of President Julius Maada Bio, a man they referred as “one of theirs.” President Bio started his national service in the army as a commissioned officer rising to the rank of Brigadier.
However, Hopes have been lost owing to high levels of double standards, unfair treatment and abuse of position by top military leadership. Recent astronomical pay rise for only the Generals leaving out other ranks is also a source of disgruntlement in the army. Fighting only for their welfare, the army high command abuses a cardinal military principle of ‘YOUR MEN FIRST.’
This medium is not averse to the Generals’ pay rise, but RSLAF servicemen and women deserve the same privilege. Sufferings of other ranks is visible in the army. Reliable sources say poor soldiers who seek medical service at 34 Military Hospital are compelled to pay for drugs meant to be free-of-cost.
These drugs are converted to other use or benefit by senior officers. “Officers are in embezzling spree of huge quantum of of much needed drugs that run into hundreds of millions of Leones for personal gains at the expense of state coffers,” an other rank soldier told this press.
The spree of embezzlement has created in-fighting especially over who should get the lion’s share of the loot. “In all of these, there is no espirit de corps at the hospital owing to in-fighting over seniority in terms of specialization for the most coveted position of Commanding Officer,” the soldier further complained.
As the hospital is polarized by factionalism, the source went on, negligence and poor service delivery has become a constant source of worry. It is further alleged that Dr Thomas Rogers’ daughter, Nyanda Rogers aged 29 lost her life in October, the previous year apparently owing to negligence.
Dr Baimba Rogers, the deceased’s younger brother has been challenging the issue as lead family member. He demands an investigation into the death. This covert investigation team bumped into a newly constructed corrugated gate, an entry to the Joint Communications Unit at Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown bearing the inscription: ‘DISCIPLINE OR NO ARMED FORCES.’
This slogan sharply contrasts with what has bedevilled the RSLAF in terms of bad leadership, double standards, selective justice and naked corruption. Sources went to state that there were records of “serious security lapses” at the military custodial center.
“These lapses led to unlawful release from custody of Captain Kamara who was standing trial before a court martial,” he said.
No serious investigation and consequence took place about the escape. Rather, an innocent officer, Major Sandi was scapegoatised. The security lapses were also responsible for the recent breaking into the Office of First Lady at Goderich in Freetown and the Presidential Lodge. Junior officers and other ranks continue to call on President Bio to act now as a stitch in time saves nine.
Otherwise, it would be too late to infuse professionalism into the RSLAF after Bio’s presidency. This press has been following developments in the Nigerian Armed Forces with President Buhari, a retired army general, at the helm. The President does not tolerate any arbitrary decision from his generals or military authorities despite the huge size of his armed forces talk less of developed nations.
World Armies, in the 21st century, have evolved a lot with unique display of professionalism in their dealings. These revelations are grim, and they warrant the President’s intervention. Army personnel say President Bio’s leadership should be reminisced as that of Flight Lieutenant, Jerry John Rawlings of blessed memory.
“Rawlings leadership in Ghana was exemplary; he left behind an unforgettable history,”
A Ghanian, Kofi Assante remarked. “Mr President, your detractors were so desperate that prior to 2012 and 2018 presidential elections, they deceitfully indoctrinated the minds of most young officers and soldiers who were not in the army during your days that you mortgaged the army for democracy. We knew those views were largely unpatriotic, but peddled by mostly those who were in the army during your days with the NPRC (National Provisional Ruling Council) called the ‘Old Hands,'” army officers reminded the President.