By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown — The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has strongly condemned what it described as the brutal, inhumane, and degrading treatment of civilians by personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), following the circulation of recent video footage.
In a statement, CHRDI said the actions captured in the footage were not law enforcement but a “severe abuse of power” that directly violates the Constitution of Sierra Leone, strips citizens of their dignity, and undermines the Armed Forces’ constitutional mandate.
The organization called on the leadership of the RSLAF to take immediate and decisive action to restore public trust. CHRDI outlined three urgent demands:
- Immediate Suspension — Removal of all implicated personnel from active duty pending investigation.
- Independent Investigation — A transparent, impartial inquiry with public disclosure of findings.
- Criminal Prosecution — Swift prosecution of all responsible officers in a court of law.
CHRDI stressed that Sierra Leone’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law is facing a critical test, urging state authorities to act decisively to prove that “a military uniform is never a licence for cruelty, nor a shield for immunity.”