By Saio Marrah
Members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) have commenced Eviction of civilians who have attained the age of 18 from all Military Barracks in the Western Area. The order was also simultaneously carried out with the Demolition of all unauthorized structures owned by civilians within military barracks in the Western Area.
The operation commenced last Saturday 20th January and is expected to be completed on the 28th January 2024.
At Wilberforce Barracks, Freetown where Politico visited, it was observed that houses built by civilians mostly retired army personnel on military property surrounding the 34 military hospital, were destroyed.
The demolition process spread to a vast community known as Tank Yard, where most of the affected persons were seen moving away with their belongings.
While some boarded vehicles for relocation, others stood guard over their belongings on the streets, uncertain where to go .
Another large community between the Wilberforce Barracks and Hill Cut Road towards a junction, known as “Small Ringin” were also seen on Tuesday morning transporting their belongings to the main road.
The demolition exercise had not commenced in that community yet, but it was understood that the community people decided to evacuate their houses because military personnel warned them on Monday to do so.
Politico further observed seeing some of the affected persons returning their belongings to their houses on the grounds that there was poor communication on boundaries earmarked.
Most of the affected persons, who Politico talked to, raised concern about not been given enough time to evacuate their houses together with their belongings.
At the Wilberforce barracks, soldiers were seen around the market area enquiring about the owners of shops there, saying those belonging to civilians would be demolished as well.
Major Hassan Kamara, from the Directorate of Defence, Public relations and Information at the Ministry of Defence, told Politico on Tuesday morning that the demolition exercise was aimed at getting rid of all illegal occupants and illegal structures within the military barracks.
The reason for the exercise, he said, “is to sanitise the barracks, get command and control over troops residing within the barracks.”
Major Kamara said the exercise is mainly aimed at those that have encroached into military assets, saying that they are trying to get rid of them.
According to him, all over the world, it is not advisable to venture into military installations and they they have theirs, which non -military persons are not allowed to get closer to.
Commenting on the issue of insufficient time informing the affected persons about the said demolition a, he noted that they had been informing the public on the said exercise from 17 January 2024, before its commencement on the 20th January.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (24/01/24)
