Concord Times (Freetown)
Mohamed Massaquoi
23 December 2008
Freetown — Deputy chief of defense staff Monday disclosed that plans underway to close down the operations of the third infantry military brigade headquarters, which covers the entire eastern region including Kenema, Kailahun and Kono districts.
Brigadier Robert Yirra Koroma told a press conference that the republic of Sierra Leone armed forces, RSLAF was in the process of downsizing its number of personnel, which has necessitated the closure of the garrison.
He said the restructuring of the force was very important as it would enable the RSLAF to cater for a sizeable but well reformed and capable personnel.
"We are cutting down the strength of our personnel. We do not want to keep these vacant places, which is why we have decided to close the Kenema Brigade. But that notwithstanding we maintain a battalion in Kenema," he said.
Brig. Koroma said during the rebel war they recruited a large number of soldiers into the force, adding that it was prudent to reduce the strength of the military now.
He said one of the challenges facing the RSLAF was housing, adding that the government was working hard to address that problem.
He said the morale of his personnel nationally and international was high.
"We have officers serving in peace keeping missions abroad," he said, adding that they have instituted operation restore hope to protect the environment against deforestation and other activities that may lead to the destruction of the reserve.
He said it was their responsibility to protect the boundaries between Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, adding that "we are closely working with UNMIL in Liberia and the Guinean forces to protect the territorial boundaries. We were informed that there are lots of thieves at Bumbuna dam and our personnel have been deployed there to protect the facility."
He said operation logo and magona were the new strategies aimed at protecting the country's territory.
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