By Laurina B. Lormia
The Acting Chairperson of the Governance Commission (GC) Alaric K. Tokpa, has emphasized the unwavering commitment to protect the nation and uphold the principles of democracy in shaping Liberia.
Delivering the keynote address at the 68th Armed Forces Day Symposium on February 4, in Monrovia, under the theme: “Effective Stakeholder Engagement through inter-Agency Collaboration for the Enhancement of Sustainable Democracy”, Tokpa highlighted the historical transformation of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) from its post-war to its current role in nation-building.
According to him, the history of the AFL reflects Liberia’s resilience and strength. Adding, “the AFL traces its origins back to the Frontier Force, which protected the country’s borders. Over time, the armed forces have undergone significant reforms to adapt to the evolving requirements of nation building.”
He added that, he bears testimony that there is no lack of thinkers and qualified people to explore the complicated and complex challenges that may seem intractable or hard to handle in Liberia.
By the history, geography, religions, social formations, and cultural arrangements, we now live in the same space as family and friends and neighbors in this country.
Liberians has no choice but to build together an enriching life of experience that will guarantee long lasting peace and happiness.
He stated that, the theme of this symposium could not have been decided at a better time. These are times when Liberians need to engage for the betterment of their country.
These are times when citizen’s engagements must be effective, efficient, transparent, accountable, and responsible.
“Let us recognize the dedication and sacrifices made by the gallant men and women of the armed forces. Their unwavering commitment to protecting our nation and upholding the principles of democracy has been instrumental in shaping the Liberia we know today. This symposium thus provides us with an opportunity to acknowledge their efforts, learn from our past, and chart a new course for a brighter future,” he stressed.
“In the aftermath of the civil war, Liberia embarked on a journey of rebuilding and reforming its armed forces. The Security Sector Reform (SSR) initiative, with the involvement of various international partners and regional organizations played a pivotal role in this transformation,” he maintained.
He stated that, the new Liberia Armed Forces were restructured to ensure that they serve the people and uphold the principles of democracy and human rights.
The SSR initiative was a comprehensive effort aimed at building professionalism within the military and other security institutions.
This process was essential in building trust between the armed forces and the civilian population.
The AFL training focused on creating a smaller, more professional, and ethnically balanced military.
This included the establishment of a new recruitment process that emphasized merit and integrity.
The aim was to create a military that was not only capable of defending the country but also committed to upholding the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
He noted that, it is this AFL that we speak about today; an Army headed by our first female Defense Minister, Geraldine J. George. It is this AFL that has brought forward for our critical reflection the elegant theme of this symposium: “Effective Stakeholder Engagement through inter-Agency Collaboration for the Enhancement of Sustainable Democracy”.
He narrated that, it is hard to unpack the categories that you have combined in the theme of this symposium and explain or break them apart in their component elements. Yet, if we consider it necessary to unpack the words or phrases that have been used to construct the theme of this occasion, “I would crave your permission to make some substantive comments and technical remarks in order to pave way for the interventions of the esteemed discussants and panelists,” he said.
In order to build a sustainable democracy, it is essential that we engage all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and the international community.
Inter-agency collaboration is key to addressing the complex challenges we face and ensuring that our efforts are coordinated and effective. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and resilient democracy that serves the needs of all Liberians.
“As we all know, democracy in Liberia means the exercise of power and decision making through the elected representatives of the majority of the people,” he pointed out.
However, this limited interpretation or misinterpretation of democratic practice has severely undermined the power of the people in Liberia. While the election of leaders by the people is important in a democracy, when the truth is told, genuine practice of democracy implies the exercise of political freedom, social equality, and economic justice in society.
“Even the AFL veteran bureau and the AFL widows qualify as agencies. Similarly, the police and other security institutions are also agencies. Seen in this way also, we can use our working definition to say that other agencies in our country include the legislature, the judiciary, the executive branch of government, youth and women groups, local government bodies, international development partners, you name them,” he said.
The enhancement of democracy has to do with the improvement of democratic governance; while sustenance has to do with the uninterrupted continuation of democratic practice nonstop.
For this to be achieved there is need for a review of our constitution and certain aspects of our legal regimes. Because sustainable democracy should not only be dependent on the goodwill of leaders. The continuation of democratic practices should also be required and compelled by constitutional and legal instruments.
The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) play a crucial role in maintaining peace and security within the country. To do this, however, the role of the AFL should now extend beyond traditional military functions.
The AFL can also become instrumental in promoting democratic governance and fostering a culture of civic responsibility.
By engaging in inter-agency collaboration, the AFL can contribute to the enhancement of sustainable democracy in Liberia, considering the following, maintaining law, order, peace, and security by neutralizing potential threats; providing assistance with disaster relief and promoting climate resilient initiatives.
He encouraged that, the AFL should recognize the importance of building positive relationships with the communities that it serves.
Through community engagement initiatives, the AFL can bridge the gap between the military and the civilian population.
This includes participating in community service projects, organizing outreach programs, and engaging in dialogue with local leaders and residents. By doing so, the AFL fosters mutual understanding and cooperation, which are essential for a sustainable democracy.
While the AFL has made significant strides in promoting democratic governance and civic responsibility, there are still challenges to overcome. These include limited resources, logistical constraints, and the need for ongoing training and capacity building.
However, there are also opportunities for growth and improvement. By leveraging technology, enhancing inter-agency collaboration, and continuing to engage with the civilian community, the AFL can further strengthen its role in promoting sustainable democracy.
He said, “Lest we forget, there are hints that the attrition rate in the AFL is usually alarming. This signals that there is need for improvement in the conditions of service and the need to guide against preferential treatment of any kind in the AFL. Also, there is need for attention to the concerns of the AFL Veterans Bureau. Let us not forget that active servicemen and women today are the veterans of tomorrow.”
“To be effective and efficient, stakeholder engagement should seek to build trust and extract commitment to the process from all stakeholders. The process should encourage face to face dialogues and negotiation in good faith. We must also look to the past and draw from positive aspects of our national practices. For example, our ROTC programs and our militia in the school system that brought the Defense Ministry and the army closer to the student and youth population,” he stated.
Under the visionary leadership of President Joseph Boakai, Commander-in-Chief, Armed Force of Liberia, we now have a national development plan that is promising. All the ingredients for national development and prosperity are contained within the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The stakeholders’ engagement through inter-agency cooperation will serve as the foundation for achieving the vision, mission, aims and objectives of the AAREST Agenda.
“As we move ahead, promoting a culture of collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders is crucial. This includes active dialogue between the military, government, civil society, and the communities they serve. Such collaboration ensures that the policies and practices governing our armed forces reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of our society,” he concluded.
