By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Recent reports of soldiers killing fellow soldiers in parts of Sierra Leone have sentl shockwaves across the nation. These incidents are not only tragic; they are deeply disturbing. The military is meant to embody discipline, unity, and the ultimate protection of national security. When violence erupts within its own ranks, it raises serious questions that go far beyond the barracks.
Since the end of the civil war, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has worked hard to rebuild its image as a professional, apolitical, and disciplined institution. That progress has been one of the pillars of our country’s hard-won peace. However, incidents of soldiers turning their weapons on one another threaten to erode public confidence and reopen painful memories that many Sierra Leoneans would rather leave in the past.
When soldiers kill soldiers, the nation must ask difficult but necessary questions. What circumstances led to such violence? Were these acts driven by personal disputes, breakdowns in command and discipline, mental health challenges, or deeper systemic problems within the military structure? Most importantly, if peace cannot be guaranteed within the armed forces themselves, how secure are unarmed civilians who depend on them for protection?
Civilians rely on the military as the last line of defense in times of crisis. Internal violence within the armed forces creates fear that weapons meant to protect the nation could be misused, either deliberately or accidentally, against innocent citizens. Even isolated incidents carry far-reaching consequences. They breed mistrust, fuel anxiety, and weaken the sense of security in communities.
There is also a human dimension that must not be ignored. Soldiers involved in violent confrontations among themselves may be operating under extreme stress, poor welfare conditions, or inadequate psychological and institutional support. If such challenges are left unaddressed, the risk of these tensions spilling into civilian spaces becomes dangerously real. History, both in Sierra Leone and elsewhere, shows that ignoring warning signs within security institutions can have devastating consequences.
The government and military leadership must therefore act decisively. Transparent investigations, swift and impartial justice, and clear communication with the public are essential. Silence, secrecy, or vague explanations only create space for rumours, fear, and misinformation to flourish. Alongside accountability, there must be renewed focus on discipline, command responsibility, mental health services, and the living and working conditions of soldiers.
Civil society, the media, and human rights organisations also have a responsibility. Responsible reporting, sustained public dialogue, and constructive scrutiny can help promote accountability without demonising the armed forces as a whole. The goal must be reform and strengthening, not sensationalism.
Sierra Leone has made significant progress in preserving peace since the end of the civil war. That peace should never be taken for granted. Soldiers killing soldiers is not merely an internal military issue; it is a national security concern that touches every civilian. It is a warning sign that demands urgent attention.
The safety of civilians depends on a disciplined, united, and professional military. Anything less places the entire nation in serious problem.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 26th January 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
