–As AFL Receives ‘Patriots of the Year 2022 Award’ From IPNEWS
IPNEWS: Quite recently there were public outcries when the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) while in an interview with a local radio voiced out that some Liberians home and abroad had asked him as Head of the new AFL, known as the “FORCE FOR GOOD” to overthrow the Liberian government because President George Weah and his delegation had gone abroad and stayed for 48 days, the longest any Liberian president ever stayed out the country.
What Maj/Gen. Johnson said on the public was evidenced by many social media posts calling for the AFL to do the unthinkable, but knowing its constitutional mandate, the AFL Chief of Staff and his gallant men ignored all of those calls but decided to make it public as a caution to be would-be troublemakers.
Also prior to his disclosure on the local radio, Maj/Gen. Johnson sounded a previous warning when he publicly stated: “A caveat for whosoever may feel or is disenchanted as we approach the 2023 elections to use the court system as was seen in the 2017 Presidential and 2020 midterm Senatorial elections. If you decide to take the law into your own hands (disregarding the rule of law), regardless of your current or past status or affiliation, and if the LNP can’t control your actions and/or is overwhelmed, we will execute our constitutional duties. We will not allow anyone or a group of people to obstruct our hard-earned Peace and Democracy. We will support the LNP and relevant agencies to protect key installations where necessary.” Maj/Gen Prince Charles Johnson III, COS/AFL.
Following the two separate statements from the AFL Chief of Staff, the Ministry of National Defense issued a statement to support Maj/Gen. Johnson previous public warnings and assurances, also reassuring Liberians and foreign residents that the rights of every Liberian will be respected by the AFL:
“The Ministry of National Defense/Armed Forces of Liberia wishes to clarify to the general public and the International Community the statement made on December 6, 2022, on the need to observe the rule of law as citizens of Liberia and a reminder of the Constitutional Roles of the Armed Forces of Liberia as inscribed in the 2008 National Defense Act specifically Chapter 2, Section 2.3 (… the AFL shall intervene as a last resort when the threat exceeds the capacity of the law enforcement agencies..) was in no way a threat and misapplication of authority.
The Ministry of National Defense/Armed Forces of Liberia ardently assures the general public that the constitutional rights of all Liberians will be respected at all times and that there is no need to panic or query the apolitical standing of the current Armed Forces of Liberia. The Force remains a “FORCE FOR GOOD” and will at no time compromise such standing and constitutional responsibilities.
Furthermore, the Armed Forces of Liberia has instituted several measures and training into its setup to enhance its roles and professionalism before, during, and after the 2023 General Elections as was instituted in past elections and to subsequently support paramilitary institutions and other agencies of the National Government if necessary. It is important to note that sustaining democracy, peace, and tranquility is supreme to our Mission. We wish you all a Peaceful and Joyous Festive Season.”
AFL Receives ‘Patriots of the Year 2022 Award from IPNEWS
And so, on December 21, 2022 at the Cape Hotel Ball Room in Mamba Point, Monrovia, when the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Maj/Gen. Prince C. Johnson, III., received a Plague from the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper to honor men and women of the AFL, the Sailors, two Airmen as “PATRIOTS OF THE YEAR 2022” for their dedicated services to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations around the world, and also for ensuring that their Mantra “Force for Good” remains an exemplary module for Liberian security institutions to emulate, the tough-talking AFL Chief of Staff reminded Liberians that the new AFL is not the one of the old days, who were referred to as ‘NOKOS’ but rather is an institution that is imbued in modern communication and globalization age activities professionally.
Firstly, Maj/Gen. dedicated the IPNEWS Award to the gallant men and women of the Armed of Forces of Liberia, including the enlisted men and women, the sailors, the airmen and officers who have continue to strive with dedication and commitment to serve their beloved country, as well as on international peacekeeping duties with the UN.
The AFL Chief of Staff stated the “The Patriots of the Year 2022” honor bestowed on the “Force for Good” was a clear reminder that the good works of the Army is being recognized, reiterating that some time ago the NAYMOTE for Democratic Partners and the Mo Ibrahim Index rated the AFL as the most trusted Government Institution in Liberia. “So this IPNEWS Awards has added additional icing on the cake the AFL has received in the past for its professionalism,” Maj/Gen. Johnson added.
Reflecting on the public outcries from his previous two statements on national radio, Maj/Gen. Johnson emphasized that: “No one will shut us down. Many are surprised and not used to the maneuvering approach of globalization when it comes to the security sector. Liberians are used to a military who personnel people referred to as ‘NOKOS’ in the past. Now, we no more have ‘NOKOS’. We will not allow people to shut us down especially during this age of communication and globalization where u speak about the ‘DIME’ – (Diplomatic, Information & Military), where soft and high power make the process the nicest of development and security. You cannot have development without security.”
Commenting further, the AFL Chief of Staff added, “Nobody is going to shut us down. We are going to keep talking and speaking. I know the use of the old AFL where they sat down and committed crimes allegedly. We are not going to commit crimes as a “Force for Good”. We will keep speaking against anything that tends to threaten our peace in our country. Nobody will shut us down whether you are from the ECC (Elections Coordination Committee) or where ever you come from, we will continue to be vocal whether you like or not. This Chief of Staff will not sit and say nothing when the peace is threatened. So get ready to hear more.”
Meanwhile, Maj/Gen Johnson lauded IPNEWS family, including its Editorial team and all support staff who over the year 2022 was able to monitor the good works of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), alias ‘Force for Good’ and bestow the honor on the Liberian army.
Earlier, on the Chief Executive Officer of IPNEWS, Chester Allen Smith, said the honor bestowed on the AFL was in recognition for the transformation made since the inception of the new Armed Forces of Liberia, ‘Force for Good’ over the years.
Mr. Smith noted the AFL leadership swift actions to bring to book any of its members when they come into conflict with the law, should be emulated by every Liberian security institutions, because when such is done, Liberians will build confidence in the entire security section just as they have done to the AFL – ‘The Force for God.’ IPNEWS also honored the AFL as ‘Patriots of the Year 2022’ for its numerous community services weather in healthcare delivery, roads and bridges rehabilitation and construction, beefing up internal when called upon, among many others.
