POLICE-MILITARY RELATIONSHIP STRAINED

C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000393

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINS PINR ASEC SL
SUBJECT: POLICE-MILITARY RELATIONSHIP STRAINED

REF: FREETOWN 374

Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/
d)


1. (C) Summary: Though a rivalry has always existed between
the civilian and military branches of the security apparatus,
the relationship between the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and
the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is starting
to show increased strain. Small-scale incidents that occurred
in September are symptoms of the tense relationship, while
longer-standing issues have been the subject of increased
rhetoric within the National Security Council Coordinating
Group (NSCCG). The recent incidents indicate the RSLAF's
resentment towards the SLP and the force's lack of
discipline, while the use of the Military Assistance to the
Civil Power (MACP) provision on a more regular basis reveals
that civilian authorities continue to struggle with their
limited resources to keep the peace. End Summary.


2. (C) Two incidents in September heightened the tension
between the SLP and RSLAF. On September 8, a large group of
former military personnel held a demonstration over unpaid
benefits. The demonstration quickly became a riot that the
SLP allegedly did little to control. Several military
vehicles were damaged, and the RSLAF stated their opinion
that the SLP did not do enough to prevent the riot or
apprehend those responsible for the damage. On September 19,
a motorbike rider reported that his bike had been stolen by
two individuals, and a group of riders delivered one suspect
to the Lumpa police station in Freetown. The suspect, a
soldier, was released into RSLAF custody on September 20. The
soldier had been beaten by a group of bike riders prior to
his detention at the police station, but the RSLAF blamed the
SLP instead and vandalized the Lumpa and Waterloo police
stations in retaliation: several SLP officers were injured.
An inquiry was conducted the week of September 21 at the
behest of the NSCCG by representatives from the Ministry of
Information and Communication, the Office of National
Security, and the National Fire Force. A contact told Poloff
that the confidential inquiry results showed that the RSLAF
were at fault for perpetrating violence against the SLP, who
acted appropriately during the stolen bike investigation.


3. (C) Following the situation at a police station near Lungi
International Airport (reftel),in which an angry mob of
civilians were fired upon by the SLP, a MACP was called to
quell the tension. The RSLAF took control of several police
stations in the area, and the SLP were relocated to the
airport. While in this particular case the use of the MACP
was warranted because the SLP contributed to the instability,
other uses of the MACP reveal that the SLP have needed
military assistance more in 2009 than in past years, for
situations that should not necessarily warrant military
assistance. Sources told Poloff that the increased use for
MACPs are not a result of the SLP's inadequacies, but rather
their limited resources to carry out their primary
responsibilities. The SLP view the RSLAF as better funded and
equipped, particularly in up-country locations, though the
RSLAF would likely disagree.


4. (C) Comment: The Vice President is spearheading the
development of a comprehensive strategy to address the
conflict between the military and police; the recent inquiry
will assist in its creation. The two incidents appear to be
examples of the RSLAF's resentment at perceived SLP inertia
and disengagement at the more local level, which is mirrored
in a broader way by the resentment over the burden of
increased MACPs. With the RSLAF downsizing and their
interests focused on peacekeeping and other external
operations, there is a greater need for the SLP to tighten
their hold on security within the country. Their ability to
do so, however, is hampered by the government's dearth of
revenue. Given the economic crisis, significant youth
unemployment, increased organized crime, and sub-regional
volatility, Sierra Leone continues to be on the precipice
between stability and insecurity. Fostering a stronger
relationship between military and civilian powers is
necessary to prevent their conflict from spilling-over into
the mainstream, and will likely be possible with guidance
from the Executive Branch. Ensuring that the SLP are given
the means to become more effective, however, will likely fall
to the international community. End Comment.
FEDZER