AS THE ARMED FORCES OF LIBERIA OBSERVES 66TH ARMED FORCES DAY ON SATURDAY, PRESIDENT WEAH HAS TOLD THE NATION THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD THE OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPABILITIES OF THE ARMED FORCES OF LIBERIA SO THAT IT REMAINS A FORCE FOR GOOD AND HE IS COMMITTED TO CHANGING THE STORY OF THE LIBERIAN MILITARY
IPNEWS: It seems all is now set for the successful observance of the 66th Armed Forces of Liberia Day following the Proclamation by President George Manneh Weah.
Proclamation
The President proclaimed Saturday, February 11, 2023 as Armed Forces Day, which is to be observed throughout the Republic as a National Holiday.
This year’s Armed Forces Day, which is being held under the theme, “Inter-Agency Collaboration: Working Together for Peaceful Elections”, will be celebrated at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) on UN Drive, according to a Foreign Ministry release.
Each year, the President of the Republic of Liberia and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, by Proclamation declares February 11th as “Armed Forces Day” to be observed as a National Holiday throughout the Republic.
In the Proclamation, President Weah mentioned that Major General Pablo Estrada, Jr., Commander of the 46 Military Police Command, Lansing, Michigan, United States Army, will serve as the Guest Speaker.
The Armed Forces Day celebration is also in recognition of the vital role the Armed Forces of Liberia plays in defending and protecting Liberia’s territorial integrity and its people from foreign aggression and upholding the social and political liberty of the people of Liberia as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of Liberia.
“With the passage of the National Defense Act Of 2008, the Armed Forces of Liberia remain steadfast in supporting the foundation for long-term security and economic development in Liberia as well as fostering regional peace through peacekeeping missions for the consolidation of enhancing and strengthening democracy throughout the region”, the presidential Proclamation declares.
With the professional development of the men and women in arms, the Armed Forces of Liberia has been reinvigorated to discharge its constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding the Liberian borders, including being vigilant for possible foreign aggression against the state, as well as directly and technically engaged in road construction efforts, international peacekeeping in Mali, Sudan, South Sudan, and other sector initiative across the Country.
AFL Releases Activities for the Armed Forces Day Celebration
Ahead of the main celebration on Saturday, which is being under the theme: “Inter-Agency Collaboration: Working Together for Peaceful Elections,” the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia AFL released the calendar of events leading to the 66th Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) celebration for the year 2023.
The Armed Forces Day historically was legislated on February 11, 1957, with the sole intent of paying homage to the men and women in arms of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) who are making tireless sacrifices to maintain the security of our nation as well as those who had sacrificed their lives for their Country and people in line of their selfless duties.
The Proclamation directs all military and paramilitary organizations within the Republic to organize and execute appropriate programs including parades and other ceremonies in recognition of the Day.
It is interesting to note that Lonestar Cell MTN in exercising her corporate social responsibility over the last three years has partnered with the AFL to honor the excellent work of the men and women in the military.
In 2021, Lonestar Cell MTN honored wounded AFL soldiers. This year, in partnership, the Armed Forces of Liberia and Lonestar Cell MTN have organized a Mini- Sport Tournament, a medical outreach, a community clean-up exercise, Units’ Display, and a Symposium during the week leading up to 11 February 2023, Armed Forces Day. On today, February 11, the AFL will be celebrating its 66th Armed Forces Day and 115 years of existence, dating back to 1908. The Armed Forces Day celebration has always been used as an opportunity for the public, foreign guests and dignitaries to be acquainted with activities regarding the development and progress within the AFL.
The theme for the 66th Armed Forces Day is “Inter-Agency Collaboration: Working Together for Peaceful Elections,” while the topic for the symposium is “Fostering Effective Stakeholders Engagement for Sustainable Democracy.”
According to the Defense Ministry, the 66th Armed Forces Day celebration which began on February 3rd, 2023 is interspersed with several activities. The activities included a Muslim prayer service on Friday, 03 Feb
On Saturday, 04 February, the Army had a Civil Military Relations: The Cleanup Campaign. It was conducted within the general area of Duport Road from 0600-1200hrs. 100 AFL personnel along with employees of the Ministry of National Defense and the residents of Duport Road gave the community a facelift. The AFL Band provided music. This year’s cleanup campaign was done in partnership with the Lonestar Cell MTN and Paynesville City Corporation (PCC).
Among other things, the AFL also did a number of other things including a Medical Outreach, which was done in the Po River area of Bomi County; a Mini-Sport Tournament, which brought together the Joint Security, Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Liberia Motorcycle Union, Tri-Cycle Union and the Liberian National Student Union (LINSU) was held at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
On Tuesday, 07 February 2023, the Army conducted a Symposium at the Monrovia City Hall, and it brought together relevant stakeholders to deliberate a carefully selected topic- ‘Fostering Effective Stakeholders Engagement for Sustainable Democracy.’ The topic is aimed at ensuring adequate preparation for the 2023 general and Presidential elections.”
The keynote speaker for intellectual occasion was Mr. Stephen Rodriguez, UNDP’s Resident Representative to Liberia. Other panelists included Mrs. Josephine Nkrumah, Resident Representative of the President of ECOWAS; Honorable Jonathan Fonati Koffa, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives; Honorable Eugene Nagbe, Commissioner, Liberia Maritime Affairs; Reverend Father McDonald W. Nah, National Director, National Commission for Justice, Peace and Caritas (NCJPC); Imam Sheikh Ali Krayee, Chief Imam, Republic of Liberia; Honorable Williametta Piso Saydee-Tarr, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection; Honorable Steve J.H. Zargo, Senate Committee on Defense, Security and Intelligence and Veteran Affairs.
On Saturday 11 February 2023, will be the main day for the celebrations. “The official celebration will kickoff at 6000hrs at the Barclay Training Center (BTC). This year Armed Forces Day will be hosted under the theme: “Inter-Agency Collaboration: Working Together for Peaceful Elections.” Maj. Gen Pablo Estrada, Commanding General, 46th Military Police Command (Task Force 46), Lansing, Michigan, will serve as the Guest Speaker for the 66th Armed Forces Day.”
According to the Defense Ministry, the Parade will be reviewed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia and President of Liberia. It will be graced by the presence of very imminent and distinguished traditional leaders, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, Diplomatic Corps, the Clergy, the Academia, Distinguished Liberia Citizens and Senior Officers of the AFL, retired and serving alike. Other important dignitaries will include the Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard, United States, and the AFL principal Staff Officers.
The official celebration brings together all National Security Services (Armed Forces of Liberia, Liberia National Police, Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia National Fire Service, Liberia Custom Service, Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency, Monrovia City Police, Liberia Seaport Police, Bureau of Correction and Rehabilitation, Forestry Park Rangers, and Liberia Scout Association) to form part of the parade at the BTC Parade Ground and a march through the principal streets of Monrovia.
“Colonel Washington Bowier (Rtd), Liberia Air Wing; and Lt Col Nathaniel NP Nah, Sr., (Rtd), Liberia Air Wing, have been selected as recipients of this year Distinguished Service Order (DSO). These distinguished personalities have served the Armed Forces of Liberia over the years with unwavering dedication and distinction. Thus, they are well placed to receive the DSO.”
The day will be climaxed with a demonstration, display of equipment and a parade through the principal streets of Monrovia, commencing from the Barclay Training Center (BTC).
President Weah Delivering the SONA
Among the many good things the President said on Monday, January 31st, when he delivered his State of Nation Address to the 103 Liberian lawmakers, Mr. Weah indicated that his Administration will continue to build the operational and administrative capabilities of the Armed Forces of Liberia in order to ensure that it remains a “Force for Good”.
“In this regard, I am pleased to inform you that the Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations to strengthen our troop presence with the UN Peacekeeping Missions. Last year we continued the rotation of troops to Mali as part of Liberia’s commitment to the United Nations peacekeeping operations in that country.
“This, together with other activities that were carried out during the period under review, is further demonstration of our commitment to change the story of the Liberian military.”
He thanked the lawmakers for the passage of the Uniform Code of Military Justice into law. According to the President, this will go a long way in ensuring that the country has a force that is first and foremost accountable to the Liberian people.
“Imagine the significance of the journey we have traveled over the past two decades, from being a war-torn country, ravished and destroyed by a civil war that lasted for fifteen years, which required the deployment of the largest United Nations Peacekeeping Force at that time, UNMIL, to bring peace to our troubled land; and now having a seat on the Security Council of the very United Nations that had been sent to save us from ourselves. We have a lot to be thankful for as a People,” the President added.
Further in the President’s report to the nation for the past year, he disclosed that the search for genuine and lasting peace in the sub-region, as well as the restoration of constitutional democracy, remained the priority issues on the agenda of the sub-regional body, ECOWAS. The President indicated that the security and political situations in Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso have been of paramount concern.
“We continued to support the peacekeeping operations in Mali with the presence of a contingent of the Armed Forces of Liberia embedded within the United Nations Mission (MINUSMA) in that sister state. We continued to work with our colleagues to resolve the constitutional impasse in the Republic of Mali in order to restore constitutional democracy. The key objective is to restore political order through the holding of free, fair and transparent elections in the soonest convenient time.
“The grave security situation in the Sahel is of paramount concern to Liberia because it poses a serious threat to the peace and security of the entire West African sub-region. My Government will therefore do all within its power to support the Transition Agenda of ECOWAS aimed at bringing the republics of Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso; to peace, security, stability, democracy, and constitutional order.”
