By: Alimatu Kargbo
The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Kemoh Sesay, has firmly defended the conduct of Sierra Leone’s soldiers during the recent border standoff with Guinea, insisting that restraint prevented a potential war between the two neighbouring states.
Speaking during the weekly government press conference, Maj. Gen. Sesay dismissed claims of weakness within the ranks, stressing that the decision not to escalate the confrontation was deliberate and strategic.
Drawing from his experience within structured military systems, Sesay explained the hierarchy of armed forces leadership, noting that the Chief of Army Staff commands ground troops but operates under the authority of the Chief of Defence Staff.
He emphasized that military operations, particularly in sensitive border zones, follow strict command protocols and calculated decisions not emotions.
According to Sesay, troops were deployed to border communities as part of routine security patrols and reassurance efforts following concerns raised by local residents.
He disclosed that soldiers engaged community leaders, including a local chief, and assessed the security situation across a stretch of land spanning over one kilometre. However, the situation escalated when heavily armed Guinean forces reportedly advanced with armored personnel carriers.
Despite the show of force, Sesay said Sierra Leonean troops chose professionalism over provocation.
“Opening Fire Would Mean War”
The Army Chief made it clear that engaging in combat would have triggered a full-scale conflict.
“If shots had been fired, it would have amounted to a declaration of war,” he warned. “And in war, it is not only soldiers who suffer, women and children would have paid the highest price.”
He noted that even if Sierra Leonean troops had inflicted casualties, the long-term consequences would have been devastating for both nations.
Maj. Gen. Sesay confirmed that some weapons were confiscated during the confrontation but were later returned through diplomatic channels to avoid further escalation.
“Our relationship with Guinea is bigger than isolated incidents,” he stated. “We share history, families and communities across that border.”
Responding to critics who described the troops’ actions as weak, Sesay strongly rejected the narrative.
“People do not understand the sacrifices soldiers make daily to keep this nation safe,” he said. “Restraint in the face of provocation is not weakness, it is leadership.”
He concluded by urging the public to remain calm and allow diplomatic and military authorities to handle border concerns through established mechanisms.
The Army Chief maintained that Sierra Leone remains committed to peace, stability and regional cooperation, but assured citizens that the military stands ready to defend the country’s sovereignty if necessary.
