By Sallieu S. Kanu
The government of Sierra Leone has discharged 48 soldiers for their alleged involvement in subversive activities geared towards unseating the government of President Julius Maada Bio, the Ministry of Defense and Republic of Sierra Armed Forces (MoD/RSLAF) said in a joint statement on Monday.
“Consistent with the Armed Forces existing policies, the public is further informed that the MoD/RSLAF have completed investigations of 48 RSLAF personnel and compulsorily discharged all 48, for being active members of an illegal WhatsApp Group known as the Joint Kalamera Peace and Security Network (JKPSN). The MoD/RSLAF rules strictly prohibit participating in any pressure group or engaging in critical political discussions,” the MoD/RSLAF said in the statement.
They said that it has also been established that the actions and behavior of those involved as active members of the ‘illegal WhatsApp group’ adversely impacted on the operational effectiveness of the RSLAF and potentially damaged command trust, management and leadership relationship.
In a related development, 27 RSLAF personnel have also been charged with various offences for their alleged roles in the 26 November 2023 failed coup. The charges include but are not limited to mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, murder, aiding the enemy, communicating with the enemy and other relevant offences.
A court martial pretrial session of 27 RSLAF personnel was held at Court No1 in Freetown on Monday, January 8, 2024.