In the wake of an attempted coup in Sierra Leone, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has taken resolute measures by dismissing 48 officers, with 27 facing a total of 88 charges. Colonel Issa Bangura, the Director of Communication and Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Defence, provided comprehensive details regarding the situation.

Colonel Bangura emphasized that the dismissed military personnel had violated ethical standards outlined in the code of conduct. The Ministry of Defence explicitly prohibits serving military officers from participating in illegal military networks or engaging in political discourse that could jeopardize peace and cohesion. The catalyst for these dismissals was the discovery of an illegal WhatsApp group named "Joint Kalamera Peace and Security Network" (KPSN), created by certain serving military personnel and utilized by the attempted coup plotters for communication.

Addressing both civil and military laws, Colonel Bangura highlighted the unique challenge faced by the RSLAF. Referring to a joint press release from the previous week, he reiterated the gravity of the situation. In a briefing in July 2023, Colonel Bangura discussed a collaborative effort between the military and the Sierra Leone Police to investigate intelligence related to specific activities by serving military personnel.

During this investigation, an abandoned vehicle registered to Corporal Koroma was discovered at the joint communication unit of Wilberforce Barracks. Subsequent searches revealed a serially arranged list of names belonging to RSLAF military personnel. Additionally, an illegal WhatsApp group owned by civilian Sheka Dumbuya contained a list of the attempted coup plotters, with Sheka Dumbuya currently evading authorities, as disclosed by Colonel Bangura.

Colonel Bangura emphasized the seriousness of the situation, clarifying that the discovered list and WhatsApp group indicated the intent of the military personnel involved to engage in subversive activities leading to an attempted coup on November 26, 2023. The dismissals and the impending court martial proceedings signify a crucial step in addressing the attempted coup, showcasing the commitment to maintaining discipline within the military ranks.

As Sierra Leone grapples with the aftermath of this incident, both the government and the RSLAF are conveying a clear message that any deviation from ethical standards and involvement in subversive activities will not be tolerated. This event underscores the delicate balance between maintaining military discipline and upholding democratic principles in the country.