—Threaten to Disrupt Christmas Over Unpaid Benefits
IPNEWS: The unending story of unpaid benefits of wives of former solders of the Arm Forces ofr Liberia (AFL) a generational challenge for future presidents of Liberia including President Joseph N. Boakai.
Started since 2005, Widows of the former solders continued to protest for benefits of their husbands, some of whom are dead or missing in action some 25 or more years ago.
Again, the Concerned Widows of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) have issued a warning to the government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, threatening to disrupt the 2024 Christmas celebrations and stage massive protests if their long-overdue benefits are not paid by November.
The group, which represents over 2,000 widows of former AFL soldiers across Liberia’s 15 counties, has grown increasingly frustrated with what they describe as the government’s lack of attention to their plight.
In an exclusive interview with reporters at their office on Bushrod Island, the Chairperson of the Concerned Widows of the AFL, Madam Mary Allison, did not mince words as she outlined their grievances.
“President Boakai has been in office for nine months now, and yet he has failed to invite us to discuss how to settle the AFL widows,” Allison said. “We’ve been in this struggle for 23 years with no recognition for our husbands, who laid down their lives in defense of this country.”
Madam Allison expressed deep frustration at the administration’s failure to engage with the widows, despite repeated calls for dialogue. She recalled that during his time as Vice President under former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Boakai had claimed his limited powers prevented him from addressing their concerns. Now, she said, with full authority as President, the widows expect him to act.
“President Boakai told us back then that he couldn’t do much because he was only a Vice President. Now, as President, what’s now the excuse?” Allison asked. She also highlighted how widows in neighboring Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast have been compensated for the military service of their late husbands, while the AFL widows continue to be neglected.
“We are giving the government until November to pay our benefits,” Allison declared. “If they fail to do so, I will call all the widows from across the 15 counties to assemble in Monrovia. There will be no Christmas celebration this year. We will block the Capitol Building, the Executive Mansion, and the military barracks.”
The AFL widows, most of whom are elderly women from politically significant regions like Lofa and Nimba counties, have long endured hardships. Many struggle to meet basic needs like shelter, healthcare, and school fees for their children.
According to Allison, the widows have lost countless members over the years, including a recent death among their ranks, all while waiting for the benefits they believe they are owed.
“We’ve had members die waiting for this money,” Allison said, noting that many of the widows are elderly Kissi and Lorma women who feel abandoned by the government. “These old women have seen no action from this president, and we don’t know why.”
In addition to their monetary demands, the widows are also calling on President Boakai to appoint a Director for the Veteran Bureau of the AFL, a position that remains vacant.
Allison pointed to Defense Minister Brigadier General Geraldine Janet George as a key figure who could push for the appointment but accused her of failing to address the widows’ concerns.
“Defense Minister George is supposed to be leading the charge to address our issues, but she has done nothing for us,” said Allison.
Madam Allison also called for the support of key members of the 55th Legislature, particularly Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, who she believes have influence over President Boakai.
“Many of you sit there saying nothing to us, but we are not afraid of anyone—not the Liberia National Police or anyone else—because no one can stop our actions when we’re ready,” Allison warned.
The widows are demanding $1,500 each as part of an agreement they reached with the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government of former President George Manneh Weah.
Allison argued that since the government is continuous, the Unity Party government has a responsibility to honor the previous administration’s commitments.
“The previous government agreed to pay us, and this new government must fulfill that promise. It doesn’t matter that they’ve changed; the agreement was made with the government, not a person,” Allison asserted.
As tensions mount, Allison vowed that the widows are prepared to take drastic measures if their demands are ignored. She detailed plans to gather at the Executive Mansion and Capitol Building, where the widows intend to sit, cook, and even sleep on the streets as a form of protest.
“We will ruin Christmas, scatter everything, and demonstrate if they ignore our demands,” she said. Allison also sent a strong message to the Liberia National Police, cautioning them against using force during their protests.
“Any police officer who teargasses or harms any of us will face resistance. If they’re not careful, we will take their own weapons from them because we are trained soldiers too,” she warned.
With the clock ticking toward their November deadline, the Concerned Widows of the AFL have made it clear that they are willing to escalate their protests if their long-standing grievances remain unaddressed. Courtesy of Daily observer.
