By Amin Kef Sesay
One of the most vociferous rights-based organizations in the country, the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI), on the 5th January 2022 issued out a Press Release captioned: “CHRDI Condemns Corruption, Sexual Harassment and Rights Violations in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF)”. Indeed, the contents of the Press Release were very damning to say the least, unraveling a lot of unethical conduct within the hierarchy of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
The RSLAF, in return, convened a Press Conference during which it denied all the allegations made against it. Assistant Chief of Defense (ACDS) Operations and Plans, Brig. Gen. R. B. Harleston expressed total dissatisfaction with CHRDI for, what he termed as outright misinformation about the RSLAF particularly when according to him CHRDI failed to reach out to the senior management of the Army before publishing such a damaging report against the institution.
“Management believes that those issues raised by CHRDI are not well researched. If CHRDI has any issue that has to do with the MoD/RSLAF, let them approach the MoD/RSLAF senior management for access to credible information that will be accurate and balanced,” he admonished.
However, CHRDI, in reaction to the stance of the military stated that the response by RSLAF is indicative of the fact that the organization is willing to engage in a transparent dialogue about issues reported within their institution.
According to the Executive Chair of CHRDI, Abdul Fatoma, “However, we had hoped that the serious issues raised in our press release would have received more attention than just a mere dismissal.”
He continued by rhetorically asking: “After all, if there are no cases of sexual harassment within RSLAF, why is the institution continuing to receiving money to address a non-existent problem?”
Fatoma said they disagree with RSLAF’s way of responding to the issues raised by CHRDI, in large part dismissing their legitimate call for accountability.
He argued that the MoD/RSLAF press conference failed to provide accountability on funds, resources, and measures/actions the institution is taking to address issues of sex based harassment to the media and the general public.
Fatoma continued that perhaps MoD/RSLAF didn’t want to comment on the $290,000 USD due to concerns not to prejudice the matter under ACC investigation but continued that they have not commented on the fact that RSLAF nominated 4 senior staff members from both MoD/ RSLAF to have direct access to the funds, which admittedly are still under ACC investigation.
He said perhaps again there are no such cases “to their knowledge” because there are no proper complaints mechanism established within the RSLAF for GBV cases, sexual penetration, or domestic violence, and when complaints reach the management, they are sometimes catalogued as a family affair issues, and therefore personal issues.
“It seems that an approach of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ was adopted by RSLAF with regard to sex based abuses,” he pointed out furthering how his organization is challenging RSLAF to publish a complete documentation on mechanisms in place for members of the RSLAF to file complaints based on sex discrimination; how are these complaints processed, by whom, and within which timeframe.
He continued by asking the question: “How many such complaints were received in the past 2 years, and how were they addressed? How many individuals were held to account for sex based abuses, and what were the punishments? How many complainants suffered retaliation because of their complaints?”
After all, Fatoma underscored, all Sierra Leone’s public institutions should publish their efforts to address sex based harassment, discrimination, and assault within the workplace, particularly given President Bio and the First Lady’s costly efforts to change the attitudes on women in society.
Fatoma said CHRDI has a dedicated team of selfless volunteers who have remained committed and have contributed immensely to the organization’s existence since they registered in 2011 and since then have made a difference in the lives of many Sierra Leoneans through research and public education on human rights and social justice.
He continued that as a Civil Society Organization, they have a moral obligation to the people, and the country’s democracy to ask for accountability and transparency and to help address the issues that affect the most vulnerable in society.
“We want to assure MOD/RSLAF that we will not relent in our efforts to ask for accountability and transparency,” he emphatically stated adding that no amount of intimidation will deter them and will continue to protect the confidentiality of their sources, as some of the survivors who spoke with them fear for their lives, their jobs, and their families.
