A coalition of prominent civil society organisations (CSOs) in Sierra Leone has issued a warning against the politicization of the country’s security forces, citing alarming rhetoric from both ruling and opposition parties as the nation approaches the 2028 general elections.

In a joint statement released today, the groups condemned recent comments by Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa, which they said insinuated military use against the opposition, and escalatory remarks by Opposition Whip Abdul Karim Kamara of the All People’s Congress (APC), which evoked the risk of post-election conflict.

The CSOs stated that such rhetoric “erode[s] trust in the RSLAF [Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces] and risk reigniting divisions” in a country still healing from a devastating civil war.

The statement emphasized that in a democracy, the security sector must “remain neutral, apolitical, and subordinate to civilian authority,” a principle enshrined in Sierra Leone’s Constitution and regional protocols like the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy.

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Drawing a direct line to the nation’s painful history, the organisations recalled the 1991-2002 civil war, which resulted in over 50,000 deaths and widespread atrocities. They noted that the conflict was exacerbated by the overt manipulation of the military for political ends.

The groups invoked the findings of the post-war Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which identified political interference in the security apparatus as a root cause of the conflict. The statement warned that ignoring the TRC’s recommendations for a rigid separation between the military and politics would ab

Calling for a refocus on national priorities like education, jobs, and stability, the CSOs issued a series of appeals.

They urged political leaders to publicly commit to the neutrality of the RSLAF and to peaceful elections. They called on the government and the military to reaffirm an apolitical stance through official directives and accountability mechanisms. They also pressed the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the Judiciary to bolster electoral integrity, and asked international partners to monitor the situation.

The statement was endorsed by eight leading civil society organisations, including the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), and the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone.

The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation, supporting state institutions in upholding the rule of law, and defending a constitutional order that prioritizes the welfare of all citizens.