The deputy minister of defence, Joe C. Blell, has called on officers, men and women of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces to keep the spirit of unity until the final elections results are out.
Addressing them at the defence ministry’s conference room on Wednesday, Mr Blell lauded them on behalf of President Kabbah for the professional manner they conducted themselves during the just concluded presidential and parliamentary elections.
Joe Blell, further reminded officers on the preliminary statement of the National Democratic Institution (NDI) which states that “the police and other security forces were actively engaged in maintaining a peaceful environment on elections day.” Continuing his reflection on the report, he said, “the army stayed in barracks and did not seek to interfere in the electoral process,” while he opined that the NDI considered the process leading up to the elections and the conduct on elections day were transparent, credible and largely peaceful. He however acquiesced to the democratic rights of all and sundry, but cautioned the behaviour of officers and men of the armed forces in celebrating political victory and to remain apolitical.