By Kemo Cham
President Julius Maada Bio has appointed a new head of the army in a minor change on Wednesday.
Major General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay was named as the new Chief of Defense Staff, replacing Lieutenant General Brima Bureh Sesay.
A statement from the Office of the President, which also announced the appointment of Brigadier General Peter K Lavahun as the new head of the Joint Forces, said the decision was reached with the advice of the Defense Council.
Sources say the appointment of Sullay Ibrahim Sesay was made possible because Brima Bureh Sesay has attained his statutory 55yrs retirement age.
This is the first changes at the top level of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) since Bio assumed the mantle of leadership of the country in 2018.
The new CDS, who hails from a part of the northern Port Loko District now in the Karene District, is said to be a highly decorated soldier. He notably served in international peacekeeping missions, especially in the Sudanese region of Darfur where he headed the Sierra Leone contingent in 2012.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and two master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.
Prior to his appointment as CDS, Major General Sesay was the Joint Force Commander of RSLAF.
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