The Ministry of Finance is facing mounting criticism over its continued silence and inaction regarding the supply of rice to Sierra Leone’s security sector. Reliable sources within the Accountant General’s Department have confirmed that a substantial backlog of payment vouchers for contractors and suppliers remains unprocessed, allegedly stalled at the Ministry of Finance due to delayed payment authorizations.
Among the most critically affected are contractors tasked with supplying rice to key security agencies including the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Sierra Leone Correctional Services (SLCS). Their inability to receive due payments has led to severe disruptions in rice deliveries, sparking growing frustration within the security ranks.
Reports indicate that rice, a staple food and essential welfare provision for security personnel, has either been inconsistently supplied or entirely withheld in some areas for as long as four months. Sources suggest that despite fulfilling their contractual obligations, suppliers have not been paid for months, leaving the entire supply chain in a state of paralysis.
Security personnel are voicing increasing discontent, with many now openly questioning the Government’s commitment to their welfare. “We are tired of empty promises,” said one officer under anonymity. “We’ve approached the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Internal Affairs, but the situation remains unchanged. Officers are reaching a breaking point.”
Military sources confirmed that while the Ministry of Defence has already processed and forwarded vouchers covering a nine-month period from 2023 to 2024, the Ministry of Finance has not released the corresponding funds to rice suppliers. As a result, many military personnel have been without rice allocations since early 2025.
According to police sources, rice supplies have been delivered intermittently over the last five months, but arrears dating back three months remain unsettled. “The rice we receive is neither consistent nor adequate,” said a senior Police Officer. “Despite numerous engagements with both the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Internal Affairs, the problem remains unresolved. Officers are losing patience.”
The Sierra Leone Correctional Services is facing a similar crisis. In 2023, the Government reportedly owed suppliers five months’ worth of rice supplies for inmates. That backlog has since increased to seven months in 2024. This has not only affected prisoners but also the morale and operations of correctional officers.
Social commentators and civil society actors have lambasted the Ministry of Finance for what they describe as gross bureaucratic negligence and a lack of urgency in resolving the crisis. They highlight that contractors have submitted all required and verified payment documentation, yet still await their dues. The result has been logistical failures, food insecurity within the security sector and a decline in morale.
When contacted, an official from the Ministry of Finance acknowledged that there were outstanding payments to various contractors but declined to address the rice supply issue directly. “High-level discussions are ongoing,” the spokesperson stated, without offering specifics or a timeline for action.
Security analysts have issued strong warnings, describing the situation as a potential threat to national stability. “This is not just an administrative issue,” one analyst said. “When those responsible for safeguarding the nation are left hungry, the ripple effects endanger everyone. This is a matter of national security.”
Calls for urgent intervention are growing louder. Analysts and security experts alike stress that failure to address the payment impasse could seriously undermine the effectiveness, loyalty and discipline of the country’s security forces.
“A hungry force is a vulnerable force,” a senior security officer warned. “And a vulnerable force puts the entire nation at risk.”
With pressure escalating both within and outside Government circles, the consensus is clear: the Ministry of Finance must act immediately to clear outstanding payments, restore rice deliveries and stabilize morale across the security services.
