As Sierra Leone inches towards the 2028 general elections, a coalition of leading civil society organisations has sounded a strong warning against the creeping politicisation of the country’s security forces-a move they say could undermine peace, stability, and democracy.
In a joint statement issued today, these groups condemned what they described as “alarming and irresponsible rhetoric” from ruling and opposition figures alike, warning that such statements risk drawing the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) into partisan conflict.
The organisations specifically condemned statements by SLPP National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa, who recently hinted at the possibility of deploying the military against opposition supporters, and Opposition Whip Abdul Karim Kamara, whose inflammatory response evoked memories of post-election violence.
“These comments erode public trust in the RSLAF and threaten to reopen old wounds,” the statement read. “In a democracy, the military and all security institutions must remain neutral, apolitical, and serve the interest of every citizen — not any political party.”
The joint appeal was signed by prominent civic institutions such as the Campaign for Good Governance, Institute for Governance Reform, Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, and the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice, and drew a chilling reminder from the country’s past.
The organizations remembered how the political manipulation of the military exacerbated Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war that claimed over 50,000 lives from 1991 to 2002 and left the nation in ruins. They referred to the findings from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which highlighted the politicization of the armed forces as one of the causes of the conflict.
“Ignoring those hard-earned lessons would be a betrayal of the countless Sierra Leoneans who fought and died for peace,” the statement warned.
The civil society coalition called on all political leaders to make public declarations of the neutrality of the RSLAF, and for the Government and security leadership to reiterate their non-partisan stance through clear directives and accountability mechanisms.
They further appealed to the ECSL and the Judiciary to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, called on international partners to scale up monitoring efforts, and asked citizens and the media to reject divisive narratives.
“We are weary of toxic politics that divide and distract,” the groups said. “Let us focus on rebuilding our nation, creating jobs for young people, investing in education, and safeguarding peace — not tearing each other apart.”
A number of key organizations signed the statement, including:
• 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone
• African Women’s Leaders Network – AWLN-SL
• Budget Advocacy Network (BAN)
• Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI)
• Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ)
• Institute for Governance Reform (IGR)
• LS; Lawyers Society
• Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ)
Concluding, the Coalition reiterated that it will continue to closely monitor developments in support of democratic institutions and the defense of constitutional order. “We stand ready to work with all stakeholders,” they declared, “to ensure that Sierra Leone’s democracy is not only preserved but strengthened — for the peace, unity, and welfare of all our people.”
