RSLAF RETIRES 70 MILITARY OFFICERS

× 53 SENT TO RESERVIST

× 17 GIVEN MARCHING ORDERS

I. The Ministry of Defence and Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), on Friday, 29th November, 2024, announced the retirement of 70 military officers, including two generals.

II. The announcement followed the Defence Council’s approval of the said retirement in its meeting on Monday, 18th November, 2024.

III. On the day after the Defence Council Meeting (precisely on Tuesday, 19th November, 2024), the President of Sierra Leone (who is also the Chairman of the Defence Council and Commander-in-Chief of RSLAF), Brigadier-General (Retired) Julius Maada Bio, made two major changes in the command structure of the Armed Forces.

IV. The Chief of Defence (CDS), Lieutenant General Peter K. Lavahun, was retired and appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya. The Commander Joint Force (CJF), Major-General Fred D Alpha, was also retired and appointed Deputy High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

V. To replace Lieutenant General Lavahun, President Bio appointed Brigadier General Idara Bangura as CDS and promoted him to the rank of Major General.

VI. With regards to the retirement of the 70 military officers, the breakdown of the ranks is as follows:

1. General – 02

2. Colonel – 05

3. Lieutenant Colonel – 10

4. Major – 30

5. Captain  –  07

6. Lieutenant – 16

VII. The names of the affected military officers are as follows:

1. Major General CF Marah (SL 729)

2. Commodore PJ Juana (SL 689)

3. Colonel C. Thoronka (SL 564)

4. Colonel MB Kargbo (SL 663)

5. Colonel S. Daramy (SL 678)

6. Colonel K. Kamara (SL 670)

7. Colonel TM Brima (SL 726)

8. Lieutenant Colonel A. Sesay (SL 568)

9. Lieutenant Colonel IS Kamara (SL 693)

10. Lieutenant Colonel M Kargbo (SL 660)

11. Lieutenant Colonel A  Siesay (SL 744)

12. Lieutenant Colonel T Matturi (SL SL 880)

13. Lieutenant Colonel A Rollings (SL 865)

14. Commander SA Kamara (SL 928)

15. Lieutenant Colonel M Conteh (SL 997)

16. Lieutenant Colonel CM Yamba (SL 909)**

17. Lieutenant Colonel AB Turay (SL 816)**

18. Major S Fillie (SL 1027)

19. Major K Jamiru (SL 811)

20. Major S. Sillah (SL 1022)

21. Major J Kpange (SL 1024)

22. Major P. Bunduka (SL 836)

23. Major A Kamara (SL 887)

24. Major U Bangura (SL 1109)

25. Major S. Marah (SL 754)

26. Major S. Fartoma (SL 1034)

27. Major A. Kamanda (SL 884)

28. Major M. Tarawally  (SL 904)

29. Lieutenant Commander A Kenneh (SL 1125)

30. Major S Bangura (SL 1148)

31. Major A Swarray (SL 1233)

32. Major D Gbandequee (SL 954)

33. Major M Matturi (SL 967)

34. Major D. Koroma (SL 918)

35. Lieutenant Commander A  Kanu (SL 1332)

36. Major S. Sesay (SL 1056)

37. Major A Marah (SL 1531)

38. Major S Johnson (SL 995)

39. Major A. Aruna (SL 1104)

40. Major J Kamara (SL 1353)

41. Major M. Bangura  (SL 1105)

42. Major M Dumbuya  (SL 1355)

43. Major BD Sama (SL 1143)*

44. Major AH Lahai (SL 1215)*

45. Major BM Bah (SL 1373)*

46. Major (Dr.) BR Idriss (SL 1479)**

47. Major B. Sesay (SL 782)**

48. Captain A. Jalloh (SL 1413)

49. Captain AM Koroma  (SL 1474)

50. Captain SD Massaquoi (SL 1336)

51. Lieutenant (Navy) R Macfoy (SL 1484)

52. Captain A Kharlo (SL 1593)

53. Captain S Bockarie (SL 1598)

54. Captain AR Bah (SL 1488)*

55. Lieutenant A. Jalloh (SL 1286)

56. Lieutenant Z Kamara (SL 1504)

57. Lieutenant AB Camera (SL 1647)

58. Lieutenant S Yorpoi (SL 1655)

59. Lieutenant IB Bangura  (SL 1556)

60. Lieutenant SM Joe (SL 1558)

61. Lieutenant E Momoh  (SL 1657)

62. Lieutenant I Kaloko (SL 1467)*

63. Lieutenant M Pendema (SL 1604)*

64. Lieutenant M Fengai  (SL 1786)*

65. Lieutenant (Dr.) J. Coker (SL 1822)*

66. Lieutenant H. Kamara (SL 1584)*

67. Lieutenant A. Sesay (SL 1814)

68. Sub Lieutenant A Kanu (SL 1774)*

69. Lieutenant Kpundeh (SL 1804)**

70. Lieutenant (Fr) A. Sesay (SL 1744)**

VIII. Among the above-named retirees are two very senior officers: (1) Major General CF, who was the Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Defence, and (2) Commodore PJ Juana, who was the Naval Chief of Staff.

IX. According to Captain (Navy) Lawrence Jabati (the Director of Defence Personnel), 53 military personnel were retired on grounds of performance and age. He disclosed that each of the 53 retired military officers would be given a lump sum equivalent to one year’s salary in addition to other benefits. He added that the retirees would also be placed under reservist and would be required to serve again during emergencies.

X. Captain (Navy) Jabati said that a total of 17 military officers were slammed with MARCHING ORDERS for prolonged ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE (AWOL) as well as for MISCONDUCT. The personnel chief also said that the officers in the twin category (AWOL and MISCONDUCT) would NOT be entitled to such benefits given to others, and their names would not be placed under reservist.

Major Yayah Brima,

Media Operations Officer,

Headquarters, Joint Force Command, Cockerill Barracks,

CREDIT : The Independent.Observer