Update – State House Communication Unit
His Excellency, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma (GCRSL), President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and Minister of Defence arrives at Hockey Pitch Wilberforce Barracks to attend this year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations. He is accompanied by his wife First Lady, Sia Nyama Koroma.
As we celebtate this day, we need as citizens all across this country to pause and reflect on the sacrifices of the officers, men and women of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) both home and abroad.
Hundreds if not thousands of Sierra Leoneans bravely fought and died overseas over the last century in WW 1& 2 – in India, Burma and the Cameroons. Our forces also fought gallantly in ECOMOG, Liberia and in DR Congo, Sudan and recently in Somalia.
The Armed Forces Week celebrations, therefore, is in recognition of the victories achieved during those operations. “As we celebrate these victories, we shall never lose sight of our fallen compatriots who sacrificed their lives for our survival. We shall always remember them,” a citation for the annual Armed Forces Week celebrations stated. The citation further assures the Government and People of Sierra Leone of RSLAF’s preparedness and commitment in sustaining the peace and development of the country.
The Armed Forces Day is commemorated on 18 February because it was on that day in 2002 that former President Alhaji Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah officially declared the 11 years rebel war over in Sierra Leone. The day is observed in Freetown and the two provincial Brigade Headquarters in Bo and Makeni.
Stay tuned as we will be reporting live from the ceremony at Hockey Pitch Wilberforce Barracks.
