By Mackie M. Jalloh
President Julius Maada Bio has demonstrated continued support for retired members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) with a donation of NLe500,000 to the Association for Welfare and Advocacy of Retired Military Officers (AWARMO), a body dedicated to improving the welfare of retired military personnel and their families.
The donation was disclosed by the Chairman of AWARMO, Brigadier General (Retired) KES Boyah, during an end-of-year reunion of retired senior army officers held at the Senior Officers Mess, Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown. The gathering brought together former high-ranking officers of the RSLAF to reflect on the association’s activities over the year and to strengthen bonds of solidarity among members.
Addressing the reunion, Brig. Gen. Boyah revealed that President Bio, himself a retired brigadier and a member of AWARMO, made the donation following a recent meeting with a cross section of the association’s leadership and members at State House. He said the contribution was both a financial intervention and a symbolic gesture of endorsement and moral support for the association’s mission.
According to Brig. Gen. Boyah, the President’s donation underscores his appreciation of the sacrifices made by military personnel in service to the nation and his recognition of the challenges many retired officers face after leaving active duty. He noted that the support would significantly strengthen AWARMO’s capacity to respond to welfare needs among its growing membership.
“The mission of AWARMO is to provide welfare and financial assistance to all retired RSLAF officers,” Brig. Gen. Boyah told the gathering. He stressed that the association is strictly non-political, emphasizing that it operates independently of any political party, ideology, or agenda. Its sole objective, he said, is to promote the wellbeing, dignity, and mutual support of retired military officers.
Providing background on the association, Brig. Gen. Boyah explained that AWARMO was established in 2017 by senior retired RSLAF officers. Initially, it began as an informal online social media platform designed to keep retired officers connected. At the time, members used the platform to share health-related information, personal development ideas, and experiences related to the social and economic challenges of retirement.
Over time, however, the platform evolved into a structured welfare-oriented organization as members increasingly identified the need for coordinated support mechanisms. This evolution led to AWARMO’s formal registration as a non-political welfare association last year, allowing it to operate more effectively and transparently in delivering assistance to its members.
Brig. Gen. Boyah disclosed that through collective contributions and cooperation among its members, AWARMO has so far raised over NLe400,000 to support retired officers and their families. These funds, he said, have been deployed strategically to address urgent welfare needs.
He detailed that the association has provided NLe5,000 each in healthcare assistance to more than 50 retired members, helping them cope with medical expenses. In addition, NLe10,000 in funeral support has been extended to about 40 bereaved families of deceased comrades, easing the financial burden during periods of loss. The association has also offered NLe10,000 in direct financial assistance to selected retired officers and other ranks of the RSLAF during 2024.
Brig. Gen. Boyah expressed profound appreciation to President Bio for the donation, describing it as timely encouragement that validates the association’s efforts and inspires members to remain committed to supporting one another. He noted that the President’s gesture sends a strong message about national responsibility toward those who served in uniform.
The end-of-year reunion served not only as a platform for accountability and reflection but also as an opportunity for retired officers to reaffirm their commitment to unity, mutual care, and the collective welfare of their members. Participants described the gathering as a reminder that retirement from active service does not end the bonds of camaraderie and shared responsibility forged during military service.
As AWARMO looks ahead, leaders of the association said the President’s donation will help strengthen ongoing welfare programs and expand support to more retired officers across the country, reinforcing the association’s vision of dignity and security for Sierra Leone’s retired military personnel.
