A nation must ask questions when matters of security and public land arise.

During an interview on Radio Democracy’s Good Morning Salone, the Air Commodore, Chief of Air Staff and Defence Spokesperson, Hassan Sei Coomber, confirmed that the Defence Council of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has approved the sale of Juba Military Barracks. According to him, the decision is part of a strategy to raise funds to improve military infrastructure.

His explanation was direct: some barracks in Sierra Leone sit on high-value land. By selling certain properties and engaging in public-private partnerships, the military intends to generate resources to develop better accommodation and facilities. He also stated that about 70% of military personnel currently live outside barracks due to housing shortages. The argument, therefore, is that selling high-value properties could help solve internal accommodation challenges.

On paper, that sounds practical. But in reality, it raises serious national questions.

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What Is Juba Barracks?
Juba Barracks is not an ordinary property.
It reportedly sits on about 20 acres of land and contains 18 quarters. It is located near the Atlantic coastline and overlooks one of the most populated areas in Freetown.
Strategically, it is one of the most significant military locations in the country.
Socially, it is home to families, children, and community institutions.
Economically, it sits on land of high commercial value.
Part of the land has reportedly already been sold to LOR Restaurant/Business Centre, and it is alleged that the same entity is interested in acquiring the entire property. These reports require official clarification.

The Core Questions
This is not about accusing anyone. It is about clarity.
Who exactly is buying Juba Barracks?
What is the full value of the transaction?
Was there a public bidding process?
Has Parliament been informed?
What safeguards are in place to protect national security?
When military land is sold, it is not just a real estate deal. It is a national security decision.

The Slip of Tongue: Why It Matters

During the interview, the Defence Spokesperson appeared to begin saying, “We done get President Bio ihn approval,” before correcting himself to say, “We done get Defence Council approval.”

It may have been an innocent slip of the tongue. But in governance, words matter. In a system where the President is Commander-in-Chief, citizens naturally want clarity on who approved what.

Was this solely a Defence Council decision?
Was there executive endorsement?
Was it a collective state decision?
Transparency removes suspicion. Silence fuels it.
Some citizens argue that selling Juba Barracks is risky. They believe:
Its coastal location makes it strategically important.
Relocating such a base could weaken military presence in a key area.
Once sold, the land is permanently lost to civilian or commercial control.
Others argue that modernization sometimes requires difficult decisions. If 70% of soldiers live outside barracks, the military’s internal welfare system is already strained.

The real issue is not whether development is needed.
The issue is whether selling strategic land is the only or best solution.
Beyond security, there is the human factor.

Juba Barracks is home to families, schools, and children. Selling it would not just relocate soldiers. It would disrupt communities, education systems, and livelihoods.

Development must improve lives not displace them without clear and fair alternatives.
This decision comes at a time when the RSLAF is still recruiting new soldiers. If housing shortages already exist, citizens are asking:
Is it wise to reduce existing infrastructure before new accommodation is fully secured?

Military strength is not only about recruitment numbers. It is about logistics, housing, morale, and stability.
Public land belongs to the Republic. The military protects it it does not own it personally. Citizens have the right to demand transparency in how national assets are managed.

Asking questions is not unpatriotic. It is civic responsibility.
This should not become an APC versus SLPP shouting match. National security decisions must rise above party politics.
If the deal is sound, publish the details.
If it is beneficial, show the cost-benefit analysis.
If it is strategic, explain the strategy clearly.
Democracy survives on openness.

Selling Juba Barracks is not just about land. It is about trust.
Once strategic national property is transferred, it cannot easily be reclaimed. That is why decisions like this must be transparent, carefully justified, and publicly understood.

The real question is not only “Who is buying?”
The real question is: Will Sierra Leone gain more than it loses?
History will answer. But citizens are right to ask now.