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Claim: A viral video circulating online claims that ECOMOG soldiers have landed in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone, to restore order.
Verdict: False! Multiple military and government sources debunked the claim, saying the clip is fake and should be discarded.
Full Text
The Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) is a West African multilateral peacekeeping force established by ECOWAS in 1990 to intervene in the Liberian civil war. It is primarily led and supported by Nigeria, with contributions from other member states. Though legally controversial, it was justified on humanitarian grounds and marked a major African-led security effort. The ECOMOG later intervened in Sierra Leone (1997) and Guinea-Bissau (1999), facing challenges such as funding shortages, political divisions, and misconduct allegations, including looting.
Recently, a Facebook page named Voice of Salone Backup posted a video alleging that some ECOMOG troops have landed in Makeni, Bombali District. The video quickly went viral, amassing over 1,500 likes, more than 140 comments, and almost 100 shares as of July 30. The video was also seen on TikTok here and here.
DUBAWA chose to fact-check this video because it makes a sensitive claim that could incite public fear and unrest in parts of the West African nation. Given the country’s post-conflict context, this could impact national security and public trust. Thus, verifying its accuracy is necessary to prevent panic and uphold information integrity in public spaces.
Verification
Our researcher identified several red flags in the video upon close examination. The voiceover, spoken in Sierra Leone’s local language, Krio, contains a message that adds to the suspicion.
When transcribed and translated into English by our researcher, it reads: “Don’t share this with anybody. What I’ve just sent you was forwarded to me by Mr. Tejan. ECOMOG is now going to Makeni to meet with the Bereh Commander to fast-track the deployment. Those to be deployed in Bo, Kenema, and the Southeast will enter through Liberia, and more troops will be deployed here. After the deployment, let President Bio handle the management. But he said, “Do not share this with anybody.”
The contradictory information in the video, which urges secrecy while being widely circulated on social media, and the absence of any credible source raise serious doubts about the video’s authenticity and intent.
Additionally, the visuals appear generic stock footage showing a stationary military vehicle with soldiers inside. Our researcher observed that nothing in the footage directly links it to Makeni or any location in Sierra Leone.
A keyframe analysis using Yandex Reverse Image Search revealed similar visual content from unrelated online sources, further confirming that the footage was taken from an unrelated clip.
Likewise, a Google search returned similar military visuals, but none exactly match the video.
A comprehensive check of official government communication channels, including the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), and State House Sierra Leone, revealed no announcements, press releases, or official statements confirming any such deployment of ECOMOG forces in the country.
Also, as of the time of this verification, no credible local or international media outlets reported on any ECOMOG presence or intervention in Sierra Leone.
To verify the claim, our researcher contacted Chernor Bah, the Minister of Information and Civic Education. He confirmed to DUBAWA that “the video is completely false and misleading. There is no ECOMOG deployment anywhere in Sierra Leone, including Makeni.”
Bah emphasised the importance of relying on official communication channels for verified information.
Similarly, in a separate interview with DUBAWA, Morie Lengor Esq., the Minister of Internal Affairs, dismissed the video as fake.
“There has been no request for or arrival of ECOMOG troops in Sierra Leone,” he said, adding that the video should be treated as misinformation.
In addition, Major General Amara Idara Bangura, the Chief of Defence Staff and head of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), denied involvement or coordination with ECOMOG.
“As the head of RSLAF, I can categorically state that there has been no deployment of ECOMOG troops in any part of the country. Our national security remains under the full control of Sierra Leonean forces,” General Bangura told DUƁAWA.
Echoing this position, Ambassador John Azumah, the ECOWAS Chairman in Sierra Leone, also told DUBAWA that no ECOMOG mission has been authorised or dispatched to any part of Sierra Leone.
“We have not initiated any intervention in Sierra Leone, and such decisions can only be made following formal consultations and agreements among ECOWAS Heads of State. The video is entirely misleading,” Azumah explained.
Conclusion
The claim that ECOMOG soldiers landed in Makeni is entirely FALSE. Military and government sources debunked the viral video in multiple interviews with DUBAWA.
