CDS Pays Last Respect To Fallen Colleagues

PROTOCOLS

• Your Excellency the President and C-in-C of the RSLAF, who is also our Chief mourner.
• The Hon Vice President
• The Chief Minister
• Members of the Families of our Fallen Colleague – Soldiers
• Cabinet Ministers and deputy ministers
• Honourable Members of Parliament
• Heads of other security services\agencies.
• The Director General – Ministry of Defence
• General Ranking Officers,
• Very senior civilians
• Officers, Men & Women of the RSLAF and other security services
• Distinguished mourners
• Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. The entire RSLAF membership join me in saying welcome to Cockerill barracks as I humbly greet you all in the name of our fallen heroes of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Today we are gathered here to mourn, pray and pay our utmost respect to our fallen colleagues, who on Sunday 26^th November (this year) sacrificed their lives in defence of our Country and our Democracy.
2. Today, our Country and the RSLAF deeply mourn at the great loss of our dear colleagues, who have paid the ultimate price with their lives, for the peace, security and stability of our dear country.
3. The attacks on our armory at Wilberforce Barracks, the HQ JFC and the Joint Logistics Unit – Murray Town, with the aim of overthrowing the democratically elected Government, and undermining the peace and stability of this nation, saw the loss of 15 brave men and gallant soldiers.
4. As I speak, the injured are receiving medical treatment at our Military Hospital. As patriotic Sierra Leoneans, we should be truly proud of these soldiers including the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to die for a worthy cause, in defence of our Country.
5. Distinguished Guests, Sympathizers, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Freedom we cherish and enjoy is Not Free. It is preserve by the lives of our compatriots, some of whom we mourn this afternoon. From every corner of this Country, we mourn with pain and outrage at the death of our soldiers and officers.
6. The 15 soldiers and officers who have paid the ultimate price to preserve our defence and democracy are:
7. Lieutenant Colonel Wilfred Samai.
8. Major John Robert Mbomah.
9. Staff Sergeant Kerifa Kellie Marah.
10. Staff Sergeant Nabieu Marah
11. Sergeant Thomas Rogers
12. Sergeant Alpha Conteh.
13. Sergeant James Gbessay Mbayo.
14. Corporal Simeon Sannoh .
15. Corporal Sam Kabba.
16. Corporal Edward Conteh.
17. Corporal Kai Mondeh.
18. Corporal Alimany Alfred Kamara
19. Lance Corporal Nabie Bangura.
20. Lance Corporal Abubakar Koroma.
21. Private Chernoh Suleiman Bah.

We salute them and honour them for the supreme sacrifice they have paid for the defence of democracy, peace and stability of our beloved country and for preventing the Coup d’état.

7. In recognition of their unwavering dedication to active service in the RSLAF and our beloved country, I am pleased and honored to posthumously promote all the military personnel who tragically lost their lives during the attack on November 26, 2023.

8. The attack not only targeted the RSLAF but also struck at the hearth of our entire nation. I firmly believe that those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our nation deserve utmost recognition. Therefore, with the kind permission of our C-in-C, and on behalf of the senior management of the MoD, I have announce their promotion to the following higher ranks:
9. Lt Col Wilfred Samai promoted to Colonel.
10. Maj John Robert Mboma promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
11. S/Sgt Kerifa Kelli Marah promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2.
12. S/Sgt Nabieu Marah promoted to Warrant Office Class 2.
13. Sgt Thomas Rogers promoted Staff Sergeant.
14. Sgt Alpha Conteh promoted to Staff Sergeant.
15. Sgt James Gbessay Mbayo promoted to Staff Sergeant.
16. Cpl Simeon Sannoh promoted to Sergeant.
17. Cpl Sam Kabba promoted to Sergeant.
18. Cpl Edward Conteh promoted to Sergeant.
19. Cpl Kai Mondeh promoted to Sergeant.
20. Cpl Alimamy Alfred Kamara promoted to Sergeant.
21. L/Cpl Nabie Bangura promoted to Corporal.
22. L/Cpl Abu Bakarr Koroma promoted to Corporal.
23. Pte Chernoh S Bah promoted to Lance Corporal.
24. Distinguished Guests, the tears of grief from the families are inevitable and deserved, because of the love and courage of men we have lost. To the bereaved families, your pain is shared by all loving patriotic Sierra Leoneans, at home and abroad and all peace – loving people across the world.
25. When future generations ask, what kind of men our fallen heroes were, who gave their lives to the service of the people of Sierra Leone, we will be able to proudly say how brave and special they were, to put their lives at risk for such a noble cause of protecting our democracy, Unity and Freedom and for defending our hard-earned peace and stability.
26. Distinguished Guests, this is a period of mourning, a period in which we must pay our respects and honour these selfless compatriots who remained true to the oath of loyalty they took when they joined the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. They died for a worthy cause. They died in defence of our Country. They died defending our commitment to the safeguarding of our territorial integrity, peace and stability for growth and sustainable development of our beloved country.
27. Let it be very clear that, no matter the personal price we would have to pay, we the RSLAF will protect the people of this country, their democratic values and safeguard their achievements. And We Shall Not be intimidated, in the defence of our country and democracy. RSLAF is a national institution and should remain as such.
28. As we mourn our fallen heroes, the RSLAF is currently investigating and assessing the events of the attempted Coup d’état. This investigation and assessment is a standard procedure in the RSLAF, in order to avoid and prevent a reoccurrence in the future, and end any attempts at Unconstitutional Changes of Governments by rogue elements of society who decide to take over government by force, instead of through the ballot box.
29. Let us be inspire therefore by the courage and sacrifice of our fallen comrades, that,’ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die’, (in defence our Motherland), ‘we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord’, (Romans 14:8) and our fight for peace, stability and democracy is a Just Cause.
30. May the fond memories of our fallen comrades remain with us forever. On this note, on behalf of the entire RSLAF membership and on my personal account, I humbly express our deepest condolences to all the families of the fallen soldiers and officers.
31. May their souls Rest In Peace. Until We Meet Again! Oh Mighty Comrades, Fare Thee Well!