The Inquirer (Monrovia)
12 February 2008
Monrovia — President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has challenged soldiers of the new Armed Forces of Liberia not to let the Liberian people down by virtue of the fact that the people have high hopes in them and their expectation of them is great.
The Liberian leader urged the new soldiers to respect constituted authority and the rule of law while ensuring that all Liberians, irrespective of their standing in society, are protected.
Speaking yesterday on the occasion marking the centennial anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia, the Commander-In-Chief of the army further challenged the soldiers, who were commissioned at the program, reminding them that they have joined a new and professional armed forces and as such, they should work along with colleagues and superior officers in putting in their best in sustaining and improving the standards of the AFL.
She added that the nation was now facing a choice between the path of fear and the path of confidence. According to her, the path of fear applies to those who find the challenges of the nation too great and fail to see the opportunities in the nation; stressing that history has taught us that every time a leader takes such a path, the challenges have increased while the missed opportunities have left future generations less secured.
She added that her administration has chosen to take the path of confidence by taking up the task of dealing with the challenges now, rather than leaving them for future generations. President Sirleaf said to follow the path of confidence the nation needs a professional army that is capable to contribute effectively to peace and the development of the country.
She pointed out that the consolidation of peace is not over as there is still plenty of work to be accomplished; stressing that to meet this challenge, the bulk of this work will require an army that has the capability to contribute effectively to peace and development which is needed more than ever before in Liberia.
She urged the Minister of Defense and the Command Officer In Chief of the army, to review the current table of organization of the AFL and produce an appropriate table one that must meet the current needs of the country.
Under the Security Sector Reform component of the Armed Forces of Liberia, 1,131 personnel have been recruited and trained. The group comprises 11 officers, 34 non-commissioned officers, 1,046 soldiers and 40 members of the AFL Band.
During Monday's ceremony, 16 AFL officers, among them a female, were commissioned as lieutenants of the new Liberian armed forces. Three retired officers were also recipients of the Distinguished Service Order. The recipients included Retired Major/General Stephen J. Koffa; Retired Brigadier-General Arthur B. Dennis and Retired Lieutenant, Col. Kate G. Juwle.
In his utterance, Defense Minister Brownie Samukai congratulated members of the army on the centenary celebration of the founding of the army, which began in 1908.
Minister Samukai said all hands are been placed on the deck by all stake holders to ensure that the new army is built to the standard that would be a source of pride to the founding fathers of the army.
Minister Samukai added that considerable progress has been made in the efforts at rebuilding a new and professional army.
In his Armed Forces Day message, the Officer-In-Charge of the army, Major-General Suraj Alao Abdurrahman said the birth of the new army in this particular period has given the nation a rare opportunity and privilege of avoiding the mistakes of the checkered past and establishing an army with the legacy that future generations of the army and the nation in general would proudly associate with.
He said for this to be achieved, it would require the determination, dedication and commitment of all in the years to come.
Following the barracks ceremonies, the solders, accompanied by the AFL marching band, paraded throughout the principal streets of Monrovia to the delight and cheers of citizens and other onlookers as well as foreign friends of Liberia.
Monday's Armed Forces Day ceremony was also witnessed by the Chief of Defense staff of the Ivory Coast and Guinea as well as the Defense Minister of Rwanda and former ECOMOG Field Commander, Victor Marlue.
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