By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) is currently executing plans of establishing a new infantry brigade in the eastern part of Sierra Leone, to be headquartered in Kenema.
According to Major Yayah Brima, Public Relations Officer of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the establishment of the new army brigade is in accordance of the current review of the MOD/RSLAF structure, which calls for the establishment of an infantry brigade in every region across the country.
Brima explained that by the end of the civil war in 2002, RSLAF had a total of 17, 000 military personnel with a structure of four infantry brigades. He said back then an infantry brigade was located in each of the four administrative regions of the North, West, East and South. He said in 2006 it became prudent that they scale down RSLAF, and a Working Group Committee was established to review the size and structure of RSLAF.
According to Major Brima, the first step in implementing the new plan is the designation of three senior military officers to spearhead the new infantry brigade. Colonel AS Bockarie was named Acting Brigade Commander, while Lieutenant Colonel HS Jalloh and Lieutenant Colonel MAB Koroma were appointed Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, respectively.
© 2019 Politico Online
