On Wednesday 26 March 2025, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Major General AI Bangura addressed Western Area troops at the Defence Headquarters Cockerill Barracks. The address centered on his achievements so far, reforms and aspiration of the RSLAF. In addressing RSLAF personnel at the Defence Headquarters within Cockerill Barracks, he extends greetings from the Deputy Minister of Defence Colonel (Rtd) MB Massaquoi and His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence-Brigadier General (Rtd) Dr Julius Maada Bio (GCRSL) to the personnel.
The CDS informed his troops that, His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the RSLAF, upon taking over governance of Sierra Leone on 11 February 2019, in his wisdom deemed it necessary for RSLAF to reverse to its former Tri-Service structure. Additionally, during the 2025 Armed Forces Day Celebration, His Excellency the President again directed the leadership of the RSLAF to kick-start the reversion to Tri-Service of the Army, Navy and Air Force effective immediate.

    

 

Major General AI Bangura acknowledged that the former structure of the Armed Forces with the Joint Force Command arrangement after a considerable period was not in the best interest of the RSLAF because there was no proper Navy and Air Force. The Armed Forces yarned for the reform in the past years and therefore currently operating on Tri-Service as directed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence-Brigadier General (Rtd) Dr Julius Maada Bio (GCRSL). This he said is a major reform of which the RSLAF is already upholding as enshrined in the Constitution of Sierra Leone.
He emphasized that “Leaders should have the liberty, interest and the will to move the reforms forward”. Looking at the Constitution of Sierra Leone, the CDS-RSLAF out lined the area which stated that the Armed Forces should contribute to the development of the country. Whilst also strongly upholding the protection of the sovereignty of our country thereby contributing to the wellbeing and development of the country. The CDS-RSLAF highlighted that the current reforms by his leadership spans from establishing the Training, Doctrine and Command (TRADOC) unit, Service Support Command (SSCOM), Combat Support Brigade and the Defence Enterprise Scheme which will be a driving force for the RSLAF to move from total dependency on Government. He therefore, urged all officers, men and women of the RSLAF to own the reforms now and stressed that “change is now visible in the Armed Forces”. He additionally, emphasized that the Sierra Leone Army, Navy and Air Force should be seen moving forward.
The CDS-RSLAF began by highlighting the transformative drives taken by his administration in addressing some of the acute welfare issues affecting soldiers. His concern and immediate strides taken for his troops and families has also been manifested through his efforts to address critical welfare issues in the Barracks, like the construction of Bore Holes within the Murray Town and Wilberforce Barracks to address the issue of water shortages. He also approved an 82% increment in the Funeral Purse for deceased RSLAF personnel from Leones Eight Hundred and Twenty (NLe 820.00) to Leones Ten Thousand (NLe10000.00), endorsed the allocation of 10% of unit/formation fuel quota to Brigade Sergeant Majors (BSMs) and Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) and the marriage assistance to troops.

 

    

 

He furthered that, his achievements also focuses on enhancing troops’ mobility through providing bus town service within the Western Area. He has also made great strides in the infrastructural development, through the re-construction of Murray Town and Wilberforce Barracks roads. The Ration Cash Allowance (RCA) and Monthly Running Cost (MRC) for operations and administration of formations, units and departments, he said have been increased to an appreciable amount that will boost the morale of troops for operational efficiency.
The CDS-RSLAF also highlighted on the First RSLAF National Defence and Strategy Policy that is now ready for the attention of the Defence Council. He additionally informed troops on the Veteran Bill that is in the process of enactment that will be gender sensitive. Major General AI Bangura further disclosed to troops of his resolve for the aquatic fishing, cultivation of Cashew farms across the country, the development of Estates for service personnel, building of shops within Barracks, RSLAF support received from the AU worth of $ 9.5m Peace Support Operations equipment and his aspiration to make 34 Military Hospital one of the best in the sub-region, as Thirty (30) Specialist Doctors from Cuba will arrive in country to assist in the management of the Hospital among others.
Major General AI Bangura concluded by admonishing troops to be disciplined at all times because it is the hall mark of the Armed Forces, avoid the use of dangerous drugs and do all their best to embrace the reform process for the general good of the Armed Forces. He underscored the need for troops to “serve, obey and follow lawful instructions”.
Personnel asked series of questions that hinges on welfare, annual leave allowances, delay in the payment of death benefits to families of deceased personnel. Whilst others highly commended the good works of the CDS-RSLAF in moving the Armed Forces forward and especially the prompt intervention of the current RSLAF leadership in positively handling some of the critical welfare issues in just 100 days in office. The CDS-RSLAF provided appropriate answers to all questions asked by troops during the address.

 

 

    

Credit:
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTORATE
OF DEFENCE PUBLIC
RELATIONS & INFORMATION
DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
COCKERILL NORTH
WILKINSON ROAD
FREETOWN
PHONE/WHATSAPP:
+23230860696/+23278252625/+23277731915/+23278272238
EMAIL: dprinfo@dhq.gov.sl