By Nasratu Kargbo
Institute for Governance Reform’s (IGR) Executive Director, Andrew Lavalie has recommended that the government strengthens and reform the country’s security sector; he made this recommendation whilst presenting their report on the November 26th attempted coup.
Highlighting recommendations made in the report titled “Violence Entrepreneurs- Understanding the Actors and Incentives Behind the November 26 Failed Coup” on the 11th of December this year, Lavalie emphasized the need to reform the sector through rapid recruitment of personnel and provide training in ethics, inclusivity, and professionalism to the current serving men and women.
“They need to beef up personnel, it is about personnel numbers and quality. It’s twenty years since we have started building the army after the war, we still don’t have the security architecture that we need,” he said. Speaking on personnel quality, Lavalie cited that they should be trained on ethics, explaining that if a soldier is at a checkpoint and takes bribe, it shows there is no security.
He explained that the level of ease at which the gunmen overrun the guards at the armory and correctional centre and the fact that state security personnel have been arrested for colluding and harbouring some of the attackers indicates that there are lapses in the sector. He said the above reveals there are problems of professionalism and morale issues within the security sector.
IGR in their report also recommended that the international community recognize the reality of politics-veiled crime and respond to crimes perpetrated by individuals rather than political parties. The report further calls on the international community to support the capacity of the nation to hold ‘violence entrepreneurs’ to account.
Another recommendation was for political leaders to reflect on their loss of image and leadership when they create space for ‘violence entrepreneurs’, advising that politicians and leaders develop platforms for engaging and mobilizing voters on policy proposals.
“Resist the use of violence and division as a political mobilization strategy; and begin to support the actions of the State to hold ‘violence entrepreneurs’ to account” a part reads.
In addition, IGR in its report called on civil society and the media to use their resources to develop and roll out public education campaigns through different platforms and engage the Sierra Leone Diaspora and local groups in building movements for peace. It stated that CSOs and the media should be instruments of polarization and hate.
Following the 26 attacks on the armory at Wilberforce, heavy artillery shots were also heard around the military’s headquarters Cockerill at Wilkinson Road and Murray Town Barracks for a while. The maximum prison at Pademba Road within central Freetown was breached, leaving hundreds of prisoners to escape. Gunshots were also heard in several areas on the outskirts of the city such as Grafton and Jui.
Lives were lost and properties destroyed, leading to the pronouncement of an immediate nationwide curfew, which has now been adjusted to start at midnight and end 6 am. Investigation is still ongoing and some of the suspected attackers have been caught. Former President Ernest Bai Koroma is being questioned by the Police as a suspect.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (15/12/23)
