IPNEWS: Its been nearly twelve years Liberia witnessed uninterrupted peace following years of civil upheavals.
Amidst current deteriorating economy in Liberia, and worsening security issues with an approximately 65% of its youthful population unemployed alongside increasing crimes in many parts of the country.
On November 22,2021, the Armed Forces of Liberia, begun recruitment for enlisting new officers into it’s ranks. But Liberians both at home and abroad remain increasingly worried and concern about the massive show of young Liberians coming out to be enlisted.
The ongoing recruitment exercise according to some is a classic example of how rebel forces recruited young Liberians during the dark days of Liberia’s civil crisis with devastating affects on the lives of young Liberians with many amputated and are now lingering street conners of Liberia without former education of vocational skills.
Others also think that why the massive show at recruitment is good, yet it signal out how vulnerable youths are in recruitments in Liberia for devilish action against the state if are is not taken in accelerating economy viability across Liberia, for youthful job creation and skills training.
IPNEWS cameras visiting the Barclay Training Center Military Barrack, since November 22, 2022, captures hundreds of young Liberians, sorrowfully young females laying on the floor along the fence of the Barrack to catch a first glance into recruitment.
The scene at the recruitment exercise requires urgent focus on job creation and skills training for vulnerable youths if the peace enjoyed must be maintained.
In a press release from the Ministry of National Defense issued November 19,2021, the Ministry stated that the Military has began recruitment of additional Men Power.
The release noted that the additional Men Power will include gender balance, with strong geographical consideration, One must be Liberian Citizen and qualifications at least High School graduate, with age range between 25 to 35 years.
The process of Recruitment would start effectively Monday, November 22, 2021 at the Barclay Training Center (BTC), Monrovia and other Military facilities in various Counties.
“Therefore: the opportunity is yours, please take advantage interested party and act promptly.”
“We are getting there and Liberia shall RISE AGAIN.” The Ministry of National Defense release noted.
According to Assistant Defense Minister for Public Affairs, Sam Collins, the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia will not compromise the values and norms that the new AFL was built on, stressing that the recruitment drive is voluntary, and that those wanting to join the AFL will have to do so on merit.
The Assistant Defense Minister was quick to rally the support of the public in helping the AFL to recruit the best, by providing needed information on recruits with bad human rights records and other forms of bad behaviors.
Minister Collins said the public involvement in the recruitment process is cardinal to the professionalization of the Armed Force of Liberia.
Furthermore the release noted that the nationwide recruitment drive takes place in four geographical regions. The four geographical regions are Central Region, Western Region, Northern Region and South-Eastern Region.
The Central Region consists of Montserrado, Margibi and Grand Bassa counties with recruitment center at the Barclay Training Center. Central Region recruitment will run from January 4 to February 5, 2022. The Western Region includes Grand Cape Mount, Bomi and Gbapolu counties with recruitment center at the Tubmanburg City. Western Region recruitment will run February 7 to 19, 2022. The Northern Region is made up of Lofa, Bong, and Nimba counties. The Gbarnga Sports Stadium is the recruitment center, and recruitment will run from February 21 to March 5, 2022. Lastly, the South-Eastern Region includes Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland, Grand Kru, River Cess and Sinoe counties. South-Eastern Region recruitment center is the Zwedru Multilateral High School and recruitment will run from March 7 to March 19, 2022.
Liberian citizens wanting to be enlisted in the Armed Forces of Liberia must be cleared of any human rights abuses or violations, they must be a high school graduate or its vocational equivalent from a recognized vocational institution, they must be physically and medically fit, they must have a bachelor degree and above; they must be fully vaccinated against (COVID-19), they must have birth and health certificates and national identification cards such as national identification card, voter’s ID, or passport and bring along two passport size photos.
Contrary to this Press statement outlining the menthol of recruitment exercise, IPNEWS investigation has revealed that unlike the Dyncorps recruitment exercise of the AFL in 2006, with public display of recruits’ photos for public participation into the vetting conduct and human rights character of recruits.
Sources hints IPNEWS that there are limited training materials (logistics), and satisfied GI-Joe (Military trainer), to accelerate training at all the facilities designated for the massive recruitment exercise.
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