The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Lt. General Samuel Omar Williams has said that they do not have the capacity to protect the country on the high seas and air.
He made this disclosure during their press conference on Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence headquarters at State Avenue in Freetown.
The CDS said their only source of support is from the Central government and because of the challenges the government is facing financially, they can’t afford to buy the military equipment they need to protect the country.
“We are doing our best to make with what we have and continue to do our best in protecting the country. We have trained many personnel and we don’t have the equipment for them, but we hope things will get better in the future.”
Lt. General Williams said the cost of the equipment needed to patrol the high seas and the air is very expensive and they are looking up to some of their bilateral partners to help them.
“We will definitely explore our relationship with China as they have been helping other African countries with these kinds of equipment. I think they are the only ones that can come to our aid because most other countries even when they replace their old equipment they don’t give them out but sell them, and we don’t have the money to buy them.”
The CDS called on all his soldiers to be alert and work in the interest of the country they have sworn to protect. He said they will definitely celebrate the Armed Forces Day and it will last for one week, beginning from the 14th of February on to the 21st and the Minister of Defence who is the President will be the guest of honour.
“After this celebration, we will be moving to Gondama to unveil our new barracks that have been constructed. This will take place on the 28th of February and also it will be unveiled by the Minister of Defence.”
Thursday February 04, 2016
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