Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has stressed that the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is not a political party nor a political entity.

President Bio made this statement while lamenting on the service test and Military Creed for serving and retired personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Fores(RSLAF) at this year’s closing celebration of Armed Forces Week,

“As your Commander-in-Chief, let me remind you of your military creed and the Oath of Allegiance that you took at your official graduation ceremony,” he said, saying “You are not politicians; you are professional soldiers. Let us the politicians be politicians.”

He went on to implore the RSLAF to display the highest standards of discipline, selfless commitment, loyalty, respect for others courage (both moral and physical), and integrity at all times and especially during the forthcoming elections, adding that politicians will come and go but the RSLAF will forever be the RSLAF.

He called on leaders of political parties and supporters, to keep the RSLAF out of politics., maintaining that “the RSLAF must and will remain apolitical and focused on its defence missions and military tasks,”

He also urge the RSLAF to work professionally with the Sierra Leone Police and support them in providing security for every voter to freely and safely cast his or her vote during the forthcoming general elections.