F e a t u r e s
and soldiers in the RSLAF. Through the excellent work undertaken by RAF personnel, the British are held in the highest respect by all in Sierra Leone.
There have been three successful elections since 2002 which have all passed peacefully – a rare beast in West Africa. The country is moving toward more sustainable power following the opening last year of a hydro-electric facility twenty years in development! There are more roadworthy cars being driven (not quite to UK standards though) and the major arterial road network connecting the four major cities is almost complete. While there has been some political infighting, there have been no major outbreaks of violence.
What of the RSLAF? There is some very good news. By the end of 2009, it had halved in size making it more affordable and manageable. The RSLAF, unlike many other government departments, have been paid every month since the end of the civil war, sadly only £45 per month plus some rice and free accommodation for a private soldier – even the Chief of Defence Staff, a Major General, only earns £350 per month.
The combat and general military skills at the junior and mid-ranking officer and soldier level are second to none in Africa and the ability to plan and organise significant events is impressive given the dearth of resources. The parade during Armed Forces week, whilst not quite up to Horse Guards Parade standard, nonetheless was a notable achievement for the RSLAF.
Last December, after twelve months of planning, equipping and training, a small recce Company commenced a deployment to Darfur – an amazing turnaround for a country that less than eight years ago, had the largest UN Peacekeeping Force in the world.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Some great positives but there are still major challenges to be addressed. Living accommodation for soldiers and their families is generally appalling. There is generally no running water or ablutions, no power supply and often the soldiers are forced to self-build their own shacks. It is amazing how resourceful people can be in an environment where it is never colder than the mid 20o
C
and it rains (sometimes constantly and extremely hard) for six months of the year.
There is the continued serious financial pressure on the basic running costs of the RSLAF – with never enough for the basics – fuel, rations, stationary, and equipment maintenance. There has been virtually no money spent on infrastructure repairs – either at the workplace or the housing stock – for well over a year. With the country as a whole very much dependent on International Financial Aid, the demands for health, schools, transport etc leave little for the RSLAF to play with.
IMATT has made a massive contribution to the redevelopment of the RSLAF and the one thousand plus British Servicemen and women who have spent a year or more of their life in West Africa can be proud of what they have achieved. These successes, combined with the pressures of the UK financial situation, have resulted in a significant drawdown over the past eighteen months with the IMATT team now consisting of just forty posts, with me being the last remaining RAF post holder.
IMATT’s major success has been gaining the trust and respect of both the people of Sierra Leone and the RSLAF – you could not hope to meet a more friendly and endearing nation of people despite the atrocities committed during the civil war. Working alongside the RSLAF at Brigade and Battalion level was key. At the same time, the Joint and Multi National flavour of, IMATT was another key to this success – its not often the Army takes advice from a RAF officer!
Autumn 2010 9
Finally, adapting to changing circumstances and applying support and sometimes pressure where needed has ensured the RSLAF make the most of each opportunity.
So what of the future? Is IMATT’s mission now complete and could the several million pounds per year be put to better use elsewhere? Firstly, the concept of reinforcing success is a well- proven military adage. From my experience of living and working with the RSLAF, the significant support provided by IMATT staff, remains key to the continued stability for a small but traditionally volatile nation.
There is a suggestion that oil has been discovered off the coast of Sierra Leone, which could bring much improved financial stability to the country. However, with a country already blessed with massive mineral resources (including diamonds), one might well ask where all that wealth has gone!
The next Presidential election in 2012 will be a key driver to the future stability for Sierra Leone and the long term future of IMATT. Sierra Leone has the potential to regain past glories where it was once regarded as the bread basket of West Africa and had the best University facility across the whole of Africa. The relationship established between our two countries is strong. Whilst much has been achieved, there is still plenty to do in this challenging and extremely rewarding environment for a RAF officer who is looking for something slightly away from the norm.
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