–A Nimba County Lawmaker, Rep Samuel Kogar, Alleges the Defense Minister, Who, Too, Hails from the County, Was Made to Resign His Post By the President During the Crippling Protest by Armed Forces of Liberia Servicemen’s ‘Wives’
—- But Press Secretary Refutes Claim; As Pres. Boakai Meets Top Military Officers
IPNEWS: A senior politician from Nimba County, Representative Samuel Kogar has accused President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of forcing the hands of Retired Major General Prince C. Johnson, III, who hails from the county, to resign his post at Defense Minister from the Ministry of National Defense.
Rep. Kogar’s revelation comes just at the President was meeting on Thursday, February 15, with high-ranking officials of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) at his Rehab Residence.
There have been speculations and mixed feelings about the resignation of Gen. Johnson after a simultaneous road block and go-slow of military personnel at various barracks across Liberia.
Prior to the observance of Liberia’s 67th Armed Forces Day celebrations, previously scheduled at the Edward Beyan Kesseley Military Barracks in Lower Margibi County, President Joseph N. Boakai hosted at his rehab residence the leadership of the AFL Wives Association, promising a resolution to issues that brought about the protest. Some of the issues raised by the women were poor housing facilities, low salaries income, lacked of medical benefits and insurance scheme, high tuition, corruption in the military including mortgaging of the AFL equipment to foreign companies among others as reasons behind their nationwide protests.
Early Monday morning, February 12, less than a day following the meeting with President Boakai, the AFL Wives again moved into blocking major highways and corridors into the main city of Monrovia.
As Liberians wonder what actually happened behind the scene leading to the resignation of a careered soldier, Rt. Maj. Gen. Johnson, III, still remain on the minds of Liberians.
Now a leading member of Nimba County Legislative Caucus, Representative Samuel Kogar has accused the Liberian leader of forcing the resignation of the Defense Minister.
Speaking to journalists, the Nimba County lawmaker said the people of his county are unhappy of what has happened to their son, describing the former Defense Minister as a strong man, who has not reached a retirement age to be forced to resign his position.
The Nimba County’s District #5 Representative, further accused President Boakai of being the mastermind behind the protest against General Johnson’s appointment as Defense Minister. Rp. Kogar alleged the protest, which led to the resignation of Minister Johnson as Defense Minister, was a complete plot organized by the Unity Party government in order to deny a son of Nimba County from occupying such key position in the government.
Rep. Kogar, through a phone-in program on a local station in Monrovia, said Prince C. Johnson, a trained military man, was retired by the President in order to be appointed as Defense Minister. Knowing that Johnson cannot any longer go back in the military, Representative Kogar alleged that he was appointed as Defense Minister, and was later plotted against not to serve in that position. He wondered how possible could the wives of army men protest without the consent of their husbands, which he said needs to be investigated because their action is a crime under the law.
The Nimba legislator emphasized the role played by Nimba in getting President Boakai elected as President. According to him, Nimba played a cardinal role in the election, and so the people of Nimba’s interest should not be tempered with. He alleged that the President “cajoled” Prince C. Johnson to resign in the name of “for the sake of peace” after being early retired from his previous military post. He called for investigation into the protest that led to his kinsman’s resignation. He described the protest on Monday as a complete plot against Nimba’s interest.
At the same time, Representative Kogar has cautioned those within the UP government undermining the interest of Nimba to stop, noting that Nimba deserves better. He further claimed that Johnson’s resignation was not independently done by himself; instead, it was influenced by the President.
Regarding the Justice Minister-designate, Cllr. Cooper Kruah, who was withdrawn with no established cause and reappointed to another position, the district #5 lawmaker claimed that it was another game not to allow a Nimba person occupy the Justice Minister position. According to him, if Cllr. Kruah is unfit to be Justice Minister due to the allegations against him, why appoint him to another ministry without investigating him in court to prove the allegation.
The Nimba lawmaker underscored that the President is yet to inform the public about what led to the withdrawal of Cllr. Kruah’s nomination as Justice Minister. Kogar claimed that all the allegations that were against Cllr. Kruah in the media were not proved, and so the President should tell the public why Cllr. Kruah was withdrawn and subsequently reappointed. He wondered what qualifies Cllr. Kruah to be Labor Minister when he cannot be Justice Minister.
Prior to last week sustained protest, Retried General Johnson has served the Military as Chief-of-Staff over the last six years without a protest of this kind.
But reacting to the allegation, the presidential press secretary, Kula Fofana has described the lawmaker statement as ‘Funny’ and stressed that allegation by the Nimba County Lawmaker as ‘Far from the truth’.
However, some soldiers of the AFL have apologized to the presidency and the Liberian people for their action recently to block roads in Monrovia and its environs, a situation that led to the suspension of the celebration of the Armed Forces Day on Monday, February 12, 2024.
As the protest heightened, the Government of Liberia ordered an immediate cancellation of the 67th anniversary celebrations of the Armed Forces Day program, making it for the first time since the restructuring of the new Armed Forces of Liberia after the 14-years civil war, official ceremony marking the 67th anniversary of the AFL was called off with political pundits describing the soldiers and wives actions as a “mutiny”.
The AFL Commander-In-Chief told citizens that he has since the eruption of the protest been in contact with Liberia’s “strategic partners” including the United States and other regional stakeholders.
But the Commander-In-Chief of the AFL, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai later ordered roadblocks be cleared, while agreeing to hold talks with the protesters about pay and conditions of service for Liberia’s soldiers, appointing a special independent investigator to probe Monday’s disruption of Armed Forces Day.
This latest fracas involving the national army of Liberia comes hard on the heels of growing instability in the West African sub-region triggered by military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, neighboring Guinea and Niger. Next door in Sierra Leone, there was an eruption of violence reportedly emanating from within the ranks of the country’s Military which was later described as a coup attempt, claiming the lives of many and I wounding of other civilians.
In a radio and television address to the nation this evening, President Boakai said:
“I have therefore appointed a special independent investigator to probe into these grievances and report to me within two weeks. We have also activated the Board of Inquiry to look into the case of several soldiers who were discharged from the AFL for various serious crimes but were said to be undeservedly pardoned and reinstated.”
Before Monday’s rift in the new military/defense structure, the AFL had enjoyed a towering image among Liberia’s security apparatus, with most local and international surveys rating them high. And the new AFL has become widely known and admired for being “a Force for Good”.
The disarmament, demobilization and deactivation of the 100,000 combatants (including the old AFL and Rebel forces) began in 2003 in Liberia under the Accra- Comprehensive Peace Accord, thus beginning the building a new Liberian army. The recruitment was aimed at building a 2,000-strong post-war army.
Liberia’s traditional friend, the United States took the lead in training and funding the restructuring of the new AFL, taking the responsibility to subcontract DynCorp and PA&E in 2005, two private American firms that work in coordination with the US military personnel.
The Liberian leader vowed: “We must never tolerate indiscipline and breakdown of order in the Armed Forces of Liberia. The reconstituted AFL has won the praises and admiration of the entire country for its professionalism and has become a source of national pride for all of us. We cannot afford to indulge in anything that will dampen the morale of our soldiers and generate doubt and suspicion. On the other hand, our government will ensure that our military is well looked after. We should always Think Liberia, love Liberia, and Build Liberia.”
Earlier on Monday, February 12, 20234, some elements the army were said to have put their spouses in front staging protests at barracks and blocking major roads in the country. Some position wood in their hands as guns sitting on vehicles during the hours of protest with one of the demands being the removal of the newly appointed Minister of National Defense, Retired Major Gen. Prince C. Johnson, III who was until recently AFL Chief of Staff.
Rtd. General Johnson thereafter wrote his letter of resignation to the new Liberian Commander-In-Chief who later on Monday accepted the resignation of his new Defense Minister who was only confirmed by the Liberian Senate last Friday.
Although he quickly accepted the Defense Minister’s resignation, the AFL Commander-In-Chief described Gen. Johnson as “a true soldier and a patriot” in his address to the:
“As a true soldier and a patriot, Retired Major General Johnson, III, of his own volition, informed us that he would step aside if he were the obstacle in order to save the AFL and preserve peace and tranquility in the country. Retired Major General Johnson, III, accordingly tendered his resignation to me earlier today. I have accepted the resignation and thanked the General for his sacrificial services, loyalty, and commitment to our country. Meanwhile, I have appointed Brigadier General Geraldine George as Acting Minister of National Defense,” President Boakai told the nation.
Rtd. Brigadier Gen. Geraldine George, who was confirmed at the weekend by the Senate as Deputy Defense Minister for Operations, has now been appointed acting Minister of Defense, President Boakai diisclosed in his address to the nation.
About a week ago, Retired Major General Johnson III handed over his authority to the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Colonel Davidson F. Forleh.
Background to Monday’s Armed Forces Day protest and disruptions
According to the Commander-In-Chief, agitation by some dissatisfied AFL soldiers began to come to the attention of his three-week-old Unity Party government ahead of the Armed Forces Day abortive official celebration.
President Boakai began his address to the nation by giving a backdrop to Monday’s disturbances spouses of AFL soldiers and some elements in Monrovia and other parts of the country.
“On Sunday, February 11, I received in audience wives of some members of the Armed Forces of Liberia who had come to express their concerns on several issues. These issues included poor living conditions, high tuition fees for their children, lack of adequate medical care, and low salaries, among others. The women stated their most important demand was the removal of Retired Major General Prince C. Johnson, III, as Minister of Defense.
“They said their husbands had told them that unless General Johnson was removed there would be no Armed Forces Day celebration. We made it clear to the women that the Government would look into their grievances regarding all the issues, but that General Johnson had been confirmed by the Senate and appointed by me as Minister of Defense. We were hence not prepared to discuss his issue.
“Meanwhile, we received throughout the day and night information that some of the Armed Forces Wives and their husbands had initiated protest actions across the country by blocking major roadways and highways. Others had engaged in agitations in barracks around the country. In an effort to prevent violence and preserve lives and properties, we ordered that the Armed Forces Day celebrations for today be reduced to a low-key program. We have since held consultations with our strategic partner, the United States, and other regional stakeholders on the situation,” President Boakai said in his address to the nation.
At the same time, President Boakai has said that some of the grievances raised by wives of AFL soldiers were problems his government has inherited from the past CDC government and “affect all sectors” of the Liberian nation.
“The issues raised by the Armed Forces Wives affect all sectors of our population throughout the country. We inherited these problems as we have been in office for barely 21 days only. The problems take on graver connotations when it comes to the military. The men and women in arms put their lives on the line to defend and protect us. We must be extra sensitive to their plight. The Army is our collective national pride, and we must preserve its dignity. I have therefore appointed a special independent investigator to probe into these grievances and report to me within two weeks. We have also activated the Board of Inquiry to look into the case of several soldiers who were discharged from the AFL for various serious crimes but were said to be undeservedly pardoned and reinstated,” President Boakai told the nation Monday evening.
US Embassy raises concern and calls for “dialogue and peaceful resolution”
Monday’s protest and disruption of the Armed Forces Day official ceremony claimed the serious concern of the United States government on Monday.
On its official Facebook page, the Americans released this short statement on the prevailing situation here:
“The U.S. Embassy is aware of ongoing protests by AFL spouses and the forced closure of major roads throughout greater Monrovia. While the U.S. Embassy supports the right to peaceful protest, blockading roads and impeding the movement of Liberian citizens is disruptive and counterproductive. This is contrary to the respect of democracy and rule of law. We call on all parties to come together for a peaceful resolution and dialogue.”
Amid the sudden resignation of new Defense Minister Retired Major/General Prince C. Johnson on the heel of continuing step down protest by wives of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) has lauded him for the “honorable” decision.
Since his nomination by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and subsequent confirmation by the Liberian Senate as Minister of National Defense, the immediate former Chief of Staff of the Liberian army has come under extreme verbal attack by wives of the AFL.
The AFL wives are claiming that the former army chief misappropriated AFL funds and neglected the welfare of AFL personnel, thus resulting to engage into series of protest action including the biggest one on Armed Forces Day as they blocked the major roads connecting Montserrdo and Margibi Counties – the Roberts International Airport (RIA) route and the Careysburg-Kakata Highway.
Accordingly, the CSO Council in a statement released under the signature of Chairperson Madam Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai, minutes after the resignation of Retired Maj./Gen. Johnson Monday, February 12, 2024, NCSCL lauded the Minister for doing the honorable thing to step down on the heel of pouring tension.
The Council noted that the laudable decision of the defense minister to resign his new position is a new precedence as Liberia strives to the height of democracy.
“The National Civil Society Council of Liberia hereby thanks Retired Major/General Johnson for being so honorable to resign in the midst of growing tension. We see this as a new precedence set by him in the democratic space of Liberia,” said the Council.
“It is now our hope and aspiration that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai will appoint a new minister who will take the welfare of the men and women in arms as key priority. The Council also calls on the wives of all AFL personnel to remain peaceful and wait on the President’s next decision,” the Council states.
At the same time, the National Civil Society Council is calling on the government of President Boakai to launch an immediate probe into the situation at hand so as to authenticate the claims levied by the women so as to establish whether they are indeed, all wives of the AFL.
The Council notes that the investigation will also uncover whether the issues being raised by the women are true or mere political propaganda against the resigned minister.
“Now that the Minister has resigned, the Council is now urging the Boakai’s administration to also pursue this matter to a proper end by initiating an investigation to ascertain the hard facts connected to these claims, because we live in a society wherein most of our issues are politically motivated. But through the outcome of whatever investigation, we will know whether or not these claims are real and whether or not these are truly wives of AFL personnel,” the statement adds.
The CSO Council, a conglomeration of all civil society organizations in the country, had earlier pointed out that the situation at hand is a looming security threat that if not solved, could create some level of hostility.
It can be recalled that following the nomination of Retired Maj/Gen. Johnson, women under the banner of wives of the AFL staged a first in a series of protest at the Capitol – seat of the Liberian Legislature, calling on the Liberian Senate under the stewardship of President Pro-tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence to reject him (Johnson) for these reasons.
The petition was at the time received by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Claims and Petition, Senator Augustine Chea of Sinoe County, who then promised to relate the message to full plenary and report back to the women. The women were also given assurance by Lofa County Senator Momo Cyrus, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs that the complaint was going to be looked into before any further confirmation action.
But there was no further notice to the aggrieved protesters until the nominee and his deputy were confirmed to their new positions, and so the women reverted to further protest.
Before Monday’s biggest protest, the women on Friday and Saturday, February 9 and 10, 2024, gathered along the Robertfield Highway and staged a second and third in a series of the protest to call on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to remove the former AFL Chief as Minister of Defense.
During their protest in a much higher number, the women blocked the main route of the Roberts International Airport (RIA), calling on new Liberian President Boakai’s attention to their grievances. Vice President Jeremiah Koung, along with Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman and ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia Josephine Nkrumah responded to the scene and promised to address some immediate concerns, such as installing a transformer to provide 24-hour electricity to the barracks.
However, in the face of this effort, the women remained adamant about Prince C. Johnson’s removal as they continued to express their dissatisfaction.
Vice President Koung then informed them vowed to facilitate a meeting with President Boakai on grounds that he was unable to address the issues alone as Vice President.
The situation resulted to President Boakai to announce a low-key observance on the eve of Armed Forces Day so as to enable him meet with the women.
