RSLAF Secures Approval to Sell Juba Military Barracks – Defence Spokesperson Hassan Coomber

The Air Commodore, Chief of Air Staff and Defence Spokesperson of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Hassan Sei Coomber, has confirmed that the Defence Council has approved the sale of Juba Military Barracks as part of efforts to raise funds to support military infrastructure development.

Speaking in a recent media interview, Coomber said the decision followed internal assessments and a cost-benefit analysis conducted by the military authorities.

“So for the Juba Barracks which we will trade off, we have bought more lands than what we even need for now for us to be able to move people,” he stated.

According to him, the Armed Forces have already secured additional land to accommodate personnel who may be relocated from the Juba facility. He noted that Murray Town has sufficient space for modern development, including the construction of high-rise buildings.

“If we trade off Juba, Murray Town has space where high rising buildings can be erected. You know these days you just need a piece of land where a modern and high rising building can be constructed,” Coomber said.

He disclosed that negotiations for the sale of the barracks are currently ongoing, although specific details are yet to be finalized.

“The negotiations for Juba Barracks is in progress but I don’t have the details on the negotiations, but I will make the details available once I confirm it,” he added.

Coomber further explained that the Defence Council’s approval was granted after careful consideration of the potential benefits and impact of the sale.

“We have got the defence council’s approval to sell it because we have already done scoping on that, the cost benefit analysis, and we have looked at the benefits it can bring to Freetown if we lose it,” he said.

He pointed to recent developments in the Aberdeen community as an example of how the area could transform if redeveloped.

“We have seen how Aberdeen community has transformed in recent time. If high rising structures are constructed there, the place will eventually develop,” Coomber noted.

Providing details about the current layout of the barracks, he said there are about eighteen soldiers’ quarters at the site, along with additional space measuring approximately 20 acres.

“There are about eighteen soldiers quarters there, and there are other spaces about 20 acres, so even if we trade the Juba Barracks off, we will still be able to have many buildings which can house more soldiers,” he stated.

The proposed sale of Juba Military Barracks forms part of a broader strategy by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces to modernize its infrastructure while supporting urban development in Freetown. Further details regarding the negotiations are expected to be made public once confirmed by the Defence authorities.