IPNEWS: The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Completed the deployment of its ninth batch of troops to Mali on September 9, 2022.

LABATT 9 is the replacement for LIBATT 8 and marks the 9th batch of Liberian troops deployed to serve under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization in Mali (MINUSMA).

In a statement released by the AFL on Tuesday, the Liberian Army, in a selfless effort to contribute to the international Peace Support Operations (PSO), the new AFL was launched in Mali in June 2013 under the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) and later transition to United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in July 2013 with just an infantry platoon.

However, the statement reads, due to the outstanding performance of the AFL contingent in its duties, the UN requested an increase in the strength of the Liberian contingent and as of 2018, the ALF strength was augmented to company size.

The AFL, amongst other functions, is fully responsible for Base Defense, conducts patrols, provides VIP protection, and counters IED operations.

The contingent commander is Major Clarence Korvah, 23rd Infantry Brigade of the AFL.

Meanwhile, the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), through the Office of Security Cooperation at the US Embassy in Liberia, has conducted a three-day Junior Officers Communication Symposium from 12-15 September 2022 at the Boulevard Palace in Sinkor, Monrovia.

The symposium aims to strengthen partnership, reinforce capabilities, and help institutionalize military standard communications practices while supporting Women, Peace and Security, and Officer’s career development in C4/Cyber.

The symposium was attended by 25 Communication Specialists of the AFL along with officers from Botswana, Djibouti, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. Source: LINA