By Major Yayah Brima, Media Operations Officer,
Army Headquarters.
I. The first Chief of Army Staff (COAS) appointed following the disestablishment of the Joint Force Command (JFC) structure, took over command on Monday, 6th January 2025, at a ceremony held at the Army Headquarters, Cockerill Barracks in Freetown.
II. In his taking-over statement, the new COAS, Brigadier-General Kemoh Sesay, said that the country had been recently faced with various internal security threats that would require everyone’s vigilance, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty. He, therefore, appealed to the rank and file of the Army to unite as a strong and cohesive Service to safeguard the peace and security of Sierra Leone.
III. Brigadier-General Sesay said that he was committed to fostering a culture of inclusiveness, respect and accountability within the rank and file of the Army. He promised to ensure that every soldier would be valued and supported in the service of his country.
IV. Speaking about the tri-services structure, the new Army Chief said that he was acutely aware of the responsibilities and challenges that lay ahead with the massive structural reconfiguration of the Armed Forces. He appealed to everyone to unite to surmount the challenges inherent in the implementation of the tri-services.
V. Earlier, the outgone Acting Commander Joint Force (CJF), Brigadier-General Albert Jusu, in his handing-over statement, congratulated Brigadier-General Sesay for “his esteemed appointment as COAS”.
VI. Brigadier-General Jusu said that for nearly 30 years the RSLAF had operated as a single entity by fusing the other branches of the Armed Forces into a Joint Force Command (JFC) structure.
VII. The outgone CJF also said that the transformation of the JFC structure into the tri-services structure has long been advocated for, emphasizing that the transformation would accelerate the growth and development of RSLAF.
VIII. Brigadier-General Jusu further said that the tri-services structure was fully aligned with Section 165 (1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991. He, therefore, thanked the Commander-in-Chief and Chairman of the Defence Council, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, for approving the tri-services structure.
IX. Before delivering handing over his statement, the outgone CJF handed over both the Army Service Flag and Staff to the new Army Chief.
