Liberia: President Launches Probe in AFL Officers’ Wives Protest

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has appointed a special independent investigator to probe the concerns of army men's wives, including poor living conditions, high tuition fees for their children, a lack of adequate medical care, and low salaries for officers.

Boakai said the women indicated that their most important demand was to remove retired Major General Prince Charles Johnson III as Minister of National Defense.

On Saturday, February 10, 2024, army officers commenced by indirectly protesting through their wives against low incentives, inadequate housing, and bad labor practices and demanding the resignation of retired Major General Prince C. Johnson III as Minister of National Defense.

Addressing the nation on Monday, February 12, President Boakai said he has therefore appointed special investigators to look into these grievances raised by the army officers’ wives and report within two weeks.

However, Boakai said the issues raised by the armed forces wives affect all sectors of the nation’s population throughout the country, as his administration inherited these problems as he has been in office for barely 21 days.

“The problems take on graver connotations when it comes to the military. The men and women in arms put their lives on the line to defend and protect us. We must be extra sensitive to their plight. The army is our collective national pride, and we must preserve its dignity,” Boakai said.

Boakai said throughout the night and day they received information that some of the wives and armed forced men had planned a protest action across the country by blocking the major roadways and highways, and others had engaged in agitation in barracks around the country.

“We have also activated the Board of Inquiry to look into the case of the several soldiers who were discharged from the AFL for various serious crimes but were said to be undeservedly pardoned and reinstated. We must never tolerate indiscipline and breakdown of order in the Armed Forces of Liberia,” Boakai said.

According to Boakai, the reconstituted AFL has won the praise and admiration of the entire country for its professionalism and has become the source of national pride for Liberians.

Boakai said the country cannot afford to indulge into anything that will dampen the morale of the soldiers and raise doubt and suspension.

Boakai indicated that on Sunday, February 11, 2024, he received information from the wives of some members of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) who had come to express their concerns on several issues.

“These issues included poor living conditions, high tuition fees for their children, a lack of adequate medical care, and low salaries, among others,” Boakai said.

Boakai said, according to the women, their husbands had told them that unless Johnson was removed, there would be no Armed Forces Day celebration.

“We made it clear to the women that we will look into their grievances regarding all the issues, but that retired General Johnson has been confirmed by the Senate and appointed by him (Boakai) as Minister of National Defense; hence, we are not prepared to discuss this issue,” Boakai told the nation.

Boakai said that in an effort to prevent violence, lives, and property, we ordered the Armed Forces Day celebration for today to be reduced to a low-key program.

“We have since held consultations with our strategic partners, the United States, and other regional stakeholders on the situation. As a true soldier and patriot, retired General Johnson informed us that he would step aside if he were an obstacle in order to save the AFL and preserve peace and tranquility for the country,” Boakai said.

Accordingly, Boakai said Johnson tendered his resignation, which the President immediately accepted and thanked the general for his sacrificial services, loyalty, and commitment to our country.

Meanwhile, President Boakai said he has appointed Brigadier General Geraldine George as acting Minister of National Defense.