Chief of the Defence Staff
Coat of arms of Sierra Leone
Incumbent
Lieutenant General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay
since 29 June 2020
Ministry of Defence
AbbreviationCDS
Reports toMinister of Defence
NominatorPresident of Sierra Leone
AppointerParliament of Sierra Leone
Formation1957
First holderR. D. Blakie
WebsiteOfficial website

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) is the professional head of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. He is responsible for the administration and the operational control of the Sierra Leonean military. It is the highest rank military position in the country.

In 1985, General Joseph Saidu Momoh, the army commander, succeed President Siaka Stevens. It is not clear what exactly Momoh's title was but it seems likely that he was the senior Sierra Leonean military officer and held the predecessor to the CDS's post.

Brigadier General Tom Carew was Chief of Defence Staff from April 2000 to November 2004. He may have been promoted to Major General during his tenure.[1] Major General Alfred Nelson-Williams was the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Republic of the Armed Forces, between 2008-2010. Nelson-Williams succeeded the retiring Major General Edward Sam M'boma on 12 September 2008.[2] The current chief is Lieutenant General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay.[3]

List of chiefs

No. Picture Chief of the Defence Staff Took office Left office Time in office Ref.
1
R. D. Blakie
BlakieBrigadier
R. D. Blakie		196219641–2 years[4]
2
David Lansana
Lansana, DavidBrigadier
David Lansana
(1922–1975)		196419672–3 years[4]
3
Andrew Juxon-Smith
Juxon-Smith, AndrewBrigadier
Andrew Juxon-Smith
(1931–1996)		196719680–1 years[4]
4
John Amadu Bangura
Bangura, John AmaduBrigadier
John Amadu Bangura
(1930–1970)		196819712–3 years[4]
5
Joseph Saidu Momoh
Momoh, Joseph SaiduMajor General
Joseph Saidu Momoh
(1937–2003)		197128 November 198513–14 years[4]
6
M.S. Tarawallie
Tarawallie, M.S.Major General
M.S. Tarawallie		198519926–7 years[4]
7
Jusu Gottor
Gottor, JusuMajor General
Jusu Gottor		199219941–2 years[4]
8
Kellie Conteh
Conteh, KellieBrigadier
Kellie Conteh		199419950–1 years[4]
9
Julius Maada Bio
Bio, Julius MaadaBrigadier
Julius Maada Bio
(born 1964)		199519960–1 years[4]
10
Joy Turay
Turay, JoyBrigadier
Joy Turay		199619960 years[4]
11
Hassan Conteh
Conteh, HassanBrigadier
Hassan Conteh		199619970–1 years[4]
12
Maxwell Mitikishi Khobe
Khobe, MaxwellBrigadier General
Maxwell Mitikishi Khobe
(1950–2000)		April 1998April 20002 years[4]
13
Tom Carew
Carew, TomMajor General
Tom Carew		April 2000November 20044 years, 7 months[1]
14
Edward Sam M'boma
M'boma, EdwardMajor General
Edward Sam M'boma		200512 September 20082–3[5][2]
15
Alfred Nelson-Williams
Nelson-Williams, AlfredMajor General
Alfred Nelson-Williams		12 September 2008August 20101 year, 10 months[6]
16
Robert Yira Koroma
Koroma, RobertMajor General
Robert Yira Koroma
(?–2020)		August 20103 July 20121 year, 11 months[6]
17
Samuel Omar Williams
Williams, SamuelLieutenant General
Samuel Omar Williams
(?–2016)		24 July 2012April 20163 years, 8 months[4]
18
John Edson Milton
Milton, JohnLieutenant General
John Edson Milton
(born 1960)		14 April 201629 November 20171 year, 229 days[4]
19
Brima Sesay
Sesay, BrimaLieutenant General
Brima Sesay
(born 1965)		29 November 201729 June 20202 years, 213 days[7]
20
Sullay Ibrahim Sesay
Sesay, SullayLieutenant General
Sullay Ibrahim Sesay		29 June 2020Incumbent3 years, 221 days[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sierra Leone: Security Information". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  2. ^ a b New Vision, Freetown, 15 September 2008
  3. ^ a b State House Media and Communications Unit. "Sierra Leone's New Chief of Defence Staff, Joint-Force Commander Subscribe to Oath of Office at State House". statehouse.gov.sl. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Home Page". mod.gov.sl. Ministry of Defence. 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  5. ^ Kamara, Saidu (February 20, 2007). "Ahead of 2007 Elections…Chief of Defense Staff Rejects Polling Boxes". standardtimespress.net. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Thomas, Abdul R. (11 September 2010). "The Sacking of Sierra Leone's Military and Police Chiefs: Can Good Men become so bad so soon?". The Sierra Leone Telegraph. Archived from the original on 27 September 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  7. ^ Government of Sierra Leone (30 November 2017). "New Army Chief of Defence Staff and Police boss in Sierra Leone". Cocorioko. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
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