The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, extensively debated the Bill entitled “The Military Veterans Agency Act 2026”.
The Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of the Military Veterans Agency, to provide for the regulation of the affairs of military veterans, to provide for the promotion of the Military Veterans Association, to provide for a Military Veterans Appeal Board, and to provide for other related matters.
Presenting the Bill to Members of Parliament, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Rtd Col. Muana Massaquoi, said the Bill is to make provision for those who sacrificed their lives for the growth of Sierra Leone. He added that the Bill is designed to correct historic injustice against military veterans and to honour military veterans across the country.
He also said it provides comprehensive benefits for former military personnel and that with the Bill, there will be a centralized national database for the military. “The Bill will resolve and handle disputes among the military,” he said.
In his submission to the debate, Hon. Alex Matia Rogers, who doubles as Chairman of the Defence Committee, described the Bill as non-controversial and asked for parliamentary concurrence in enacting it.
He commended the President for his tireless commitment to promoting the military over the years and said the Bill seeks to address challenges faced by military veterans.
Deputy Whip 1 of Opposition, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie, representing Bombali District, commended the President for introducing the Bill, which seeks to address major concerns affecting military personnel in the country.
“The objectives of the Bill are so unique and require parliamentary approval,” she said. She said the service conditions, particularly salaries of military officers, are so discouraging in Sierra Leone and that Government needs to intervene for better improvement.
Deputy Leader of Government Business 2, Hon. Emerson Lamina, representing Kono District, said enacting laws is a constitutional requirement of Parliament. He said, considering the hard fight by the military in ending the war, the military should be highly respected for service to the nation. He advocated for more improvement of the budget in the military sector.
Hon.Dr. Unpha Sorie G. Koroma premised his debate on the need to honour military heroes as a nation.
“This Bill is a welcome one in this House, and welcomed by us from the Opposition,” he said. He however raised concerns on the eligibility criteria regarding who is a true veteran.
He asked for more Government support in improving the welfare of military veterans nationwide and described the Bill as non-controversial, urging Parliament to enact it for the protection of military veterans.
Hon. Mustapha Sellu, representing Moyamba District said the welfare of people who have served the State should at all times be prioritized. He believes much more sacrifice has been made by the military and that living conditions must be improved.
Hon. Sulaiman Marray-Conteh, representing Western Urban, said the military has always worked selflessly for the growth of Sierra Leone. He joined other speakers in asking for better conditions of service for military personnel and recommended the inclusion of the Chief of Staff and other military personnel in the Military Advisory Council.
Hon. Sia Mahawa Tommy, representing Kono District, began her debate by stating how life has been difficult for military veterans across the country.
She said until now, there was no law recognizing the service of military veterans in the country. She pleaded for more support to military personnel and said with the Bill, better conditions of service are assured for military veteran personnel.
“I hope that the words in the Bill will reflect in the budget allocation coming to Parliament,” she said.
Hon. Moses Edwin, representing Bonthe District, described the Bill as progressive and appealed for more improved living conditions for military personnel nationwide.
Hon. Abdulai Kamara, representing Western Urban, said the Bill is significant, as according to him, thousands of military officers have always been asking for it. He said the Bill will address long-standing challenges faced by the military.
Deputy Whip 1 Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, representing Moyamba District, extended appreciation to the Military for always defending the territorial integrity of the State and commended the President for always finding ways to improve the living conditions of military personnel.
“I want to doff my hat to you people for defending our country,” she said.
Rounding up the debate on the side of the Opposition, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, said most people who served in the military in Sierra Leone are not being looked after and are faced with different health challenges. He said military personnel with misconduct must not benefit from the Bill, and that military work is a job for honourable people.
He recommended that the composition of the Council be inclusive of military veterans. He said a thorough review should be done at the Committee stage, such as no specific quorum required for Council meetings.
According to Hon. Kargbo, the Bill is silent about women’s representation on the Council, which Parliament needs to address.
Concluding the debate on the side of Government, the Acting Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, described the Bill as essential and timely for better conditions of service for the military. He called on Parliament to also amend the Parliamentary Act for equal end-of-service benefits for Members of Parliament.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the action of certain ministries in the payment of remuneration for board members. He said the tenure of the Director-General should be reduced to 3-4 years in order to enable an incoming President to make another nomination. He said attempted coups in Africa, including Sierra Leone, are because of inadequate conditions of service for military officers.
“It is not a gainsaying that this Bill is far, far overdue,” he said.
Responding to concerns raised by Members of Parliament, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Rtd Col. Muana Massaquoi, assured Parliament of addressing the concerns mentioned.
Using S.O. 51(1), the Bill was committed to the Legislative Committee for further scrutiny.
1. In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone debated “The National Explosives Regulatory Authority Act 2026”.
The Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Explosives Act, 1955 (Act No. 15 of 1955), to provide for the establishment of the National Explosives Regulatory Authority, to provide for the regulation of the manufacture, import and export of explosives throughout Sierra Leone, and to provide for other related matters.
2. Parliament passes into law with some amendments, the National Records and Achieves Act 2026.
