By Monrovia, Liberia-
The commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and president of the republic have expressed their admiration for the hardworking AFL troops who participated in the UN Multidimensional Integration Stabilization Mission in Mali. Speaking on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) for the AFL End of MINUSMA assignment Ceremony, President George Manneh Weah expressed Liberia’s pride in the soldiers’ outstanding, exemplary, and committed performance during their honorable international assignment.
The AFL Commander-In-Chief noted that the Mali mission was evidence of the worldwide resolve of states that valued peace and were prepared to make sacrifices of both people and material resources to put out the flames that consumed
Speaking Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the AFL End of MINUSMA Mission Ceremony at the Barclay TrainingCenter (BTC), President George Manneh Weah said Liberia was proud of the soldiers for their dedicated, exemplary and excellent performances on their noble international mission.
The AFL Commander-In-Chief described the Mali mission as a testament to the collective resolve of peace-loving nations around the world who, he also said, were willing to sacrifice material and human resources in order to put off the flames that engulfed Mali.
He urged Liberians to recognize the justification for paying tribute to the courageous and committed men and women of the AFL as well as everyone working to keep the country safe.
The Leader of Liberia expressed his sincere hope that the AFL will remain steadfastly dedicated to its duty of serving humanity and maintaining world peace. “After your outstanding performance in Mali, both as soldiers and as Military Staff Officers, I am confident that you are headed for greatness in international peacekeeping,” C-I-C Weah emphasized.
He informed the AFL Peacekeeping heroes and heroines that their fortitude was put to the test not only in the hot, dry fields but also in the face of deadly illness epidemics during the COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks, during which not a single soldier perished. He also hinted that Liberians ought to be grateful to the military and everyone else who has taken part in peacekeeping efforts and is currently doing so. The President recognized that their years of experience in the field indicate that they have gained knowledge and expertise, particularly in operations to combat terrorism interoperability with allies, discipline, and professionalism. They have also contributed to peace.
He reassured people in attendance of the State Administration’s support for the AFL in meeting the logistical and operational requirements of the UN, which include supplying armored personal carriers, a range of vehicles, and self-sufficient equipment to enable the troops to achieve their goals. President Weah stated in the National Budget for Fiscal Year 2022 that the government has authorized and provided the Ministry of National Defense with an initial amount of $700,000 to support the troops stationed in Peace Support Operations. In order to prepare the AFL for further peacekeeping deployments, he expressed the hope that the incoming administration would continue where his government left off. However, he also acknowledged that despite these efforts, there are still certain challenges facing the soldiers on the ground.
He at the same time paid special tribute to a fallen personnel, Sergeant Ousman Sheriff, and all others who were wounded in Mali.
The AFL Commander-In-Chief similarly hailed partners and allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Nigeria, for helping Liberia achieve this milestone.
It can be recalled that the New AFL was inducted into the Peace Support Operations on June 23, 2013, as part of the African-led International Support Mission to Mali.
Simultaneously, he offered a special tribute to Sergeant Ousman Sheriff, a fallen member of the military, as well as to all those injured in Mali.
In a similar vein, the AFL Commander-In-Chief praised Liberia’s allies and partners, Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, for their assistance in reaching this significant milestone. Recall that on June 23, 2013, the African-led International Support Mission to Mali officially welcomed the New AFL into Peace Support Operations
Credit: Executive Mansion
