IN THE WAKE OF reports that the security situation in neighboring Ivory Coast had escalated and that the situation at the time posed threats to bordering towns with that country, the government of Liberia immediately dispatched several officers and units from the Armed forces of Liberia to protect the country's border.

AT THE TIME OF the report, there were fears among Liberians about the possible spillover of that country's conflict considering the porousness of the Liberian borders with that country. But the government's prompt action to deploy AFL soldiers along these borders allayed the fear of the residents, especially those in counties bordering the Ivory Coast.

TODAY, AFTER A successful mission to the borders, the first batch of the AFL yesterday joyously and in high ecstasy returned to their barracks to be replaced by another group of soldiers. Our reporters, who covered the arrival of the soldiers, said they were in a complete state of happiness and joy for successfully carrying out the mandate of protecting the borders and also for operating in accordance with their code of ethics.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, SINCE the deployment of these soldiers to the danger zone, there have been no reports of intimidation, harassment or extortion on their part. From all indications, the AFL soldiers during their mission exhibited the high degree of discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their function.

INDEED, THEY HAVE sent a salient signal that the country has a professional and trained army who are committed to living up to the expectation as a truly trained professional army after a vigorous screening and vetting process.

THE QUALITY OF performance demonstrated by the AFL troops during the first deployment phase of Operation Restore Hope, no doubt reflects the quality of training being impacted into the restructured AFL by their trainers and mentors.

WE HAIL THE AFL soldiers because they have indeed won the admiration of the local population due to the robust leadership and mentorship being proffered by the Command-officer-in-Charge, Major/General Suraj A. Abdurrahman in partnership with his joint staff and other experienced West African mentors.

WE ALSO SEND a special 'hats off' to the our donors and partners especially the United States who through their efforts Liberia was able to build a professional army and also the hard working Minister of National Defense, Brownie Samukai for his dedication to duty in ensuring that Liberia can now boast of a very trained, professional army that is ready and prepared to defend its territorial border.

WHILE WE HAIL the AFL soldiers, we also want to admonish the new guys joining the army to emulate the good examples of their colleagues and the level of professionalism exhibited by them during their entire operation at the border.

WE CALL ON them to do away with any act of lawlessness or anything that will question the good reputation of the AFL and bring the hard work done by the soldiers into disrepute.

AGAIN, WE HAIL the AFL soldiers for sending a signal that the country has a professional and trained army, who are committed to living up to expectation as a truly trained professional army after a vigorous screening and vetting process. Hats off to the brave men and women of the AFL under the able leadership of Defense Minister, Brownie J. Samukai!