By Alpha Daramy Sesay
The Chief of Defense Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Major General Samuel Omar Williams, has expressed grave concerns over the “perennial problem of accommodation” in the army.
Addressing journalists yesteday he said “Military Housing Census disturbingly reveals that over 50 per cent of service personnel live out of barracks” adding that this affected “command and control and invariably undermines civil military relationship.”
He called on civil society and the media to join them in their campaign for housing.
“The intention to erect living quarters for service personnel is a burning desire for both the government and the military hierarchy. Media and civil society advocacy support for such initiative is desirable,” he said.
Major General Williams said that in spite of the “glowing” image of the country’s armed forces internationally, back home they were an entity facing a serious problem.
He said that as the November 17 multi-tier elections drew nearer, the people had been asking several questions pertaining to the role of the armed forces in the electioneering process.
“For some, our role casts a dim shadow on our neutrality whilst others on a note of appreciation look back at our accomplishments during the 2007 elections,” he said. He went on that “whatever the divide, it is assured that the role of the RSLAF in this 2012 election will be strictly in conformity with the Military Aid to Civil Power (MAC- P).”
The RSLAF is part of the election management body that works in close liaison with the Sierra Leone Police peaceful and violence-free elections.
