By Precious D. Freeman
President George Weah has hailed Liberia’s delegation to Mali for the successful end of MINUSMA Mission Ceremony.
The historic ceremony, which took place at the Barclay Training Center in Central Monrovia, followed 10 years of Liberia’s participation in the United Nations Peace Support Operations to Mali.
Speaking at the occasion, President Weah stressed that the event also commemorated the successful end of the mission of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in the UN Multidimensional Integration Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
“We must honor the brave and dedicated men and women of the Armed Forces of Liberia present here today, and all those helping to keep our nation safe,” he re-emphasized.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, President Weah encouraged the AFL to continuously be committed to their responsibility, while also ensuring international peace.
According to him, he has no doubt, following the remarkable achievement of members of the AFL in Mali, both at the level of the troops and as Military Staff Officers, that they are on the path to greatness in international peacekeeping.
President Weah indicated that AFL personnel resilience was not only tested in the fields of harsh arid climate, but also when they withstood two waves of infectious disease outbreaks, namely: Ebola and COVID-19, adding that the country and its people are glad that its contingent did not record a death during these outbreaks.
“I wish to inform you that, with the support of Central Government, the AFL has been gradually meeting the various logistical and operational requirements of the UN, and these include, among other things, armored personnel carriers, assorted vehicles, and self-sustaining equipment to help the troops achieve their goals effectively,” he noted.
The Government, he disclosed, provided in the National Budget for Fiscal Year 2022 an initial amount of US$700,000, and at the same time, provided same to the Ministry of National Defense to support the troops deployed in Peace Support Operations.
However, he was quick to point out that despite these interventions, there still remain some challenges for the troops in the field.
The Liberian leader indicated that it is his hope that the incoming administration will continue from where he has stopped, in order to prepare the AFL for more peacekeeping operations.
He then paid special tribute to fallen officer, Ousman Sheriff, and all others who were wounded in Mali.
The CIC told the members of the AFL that their Peacekeeping Operations in the field, especially over the years, signify that they have contributed to peace, attained knowledge and experiences, especially in counter-terrorism operations, inter-operability with partners, discipline, and professionalism, stating that we owe them a debt of gratitude.
“You are now the beacon of hope, not only for Liberia, but the region and beyond, continue to be of service,” he added.
Reflecting further, he stated 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, which later morphed into the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), on July 1, 2013, under UN Resolution 2100.
According to him, the participation of Liberia into peacekeeping missions marked Liberia’s first peacekeeping operations following the end of the civil war, and comes more than five decades after the country’s first involvement in UN Peacekeeping in the Congo.
It can be recalled that Liberia’s Armed Forces began its Mali Operations with a platoon-size, which grew in strength and capabilities over a period with additional deployments.
He used the occasion to commend and recognize the effort of the previous Commander-in -Chief, as well as the leadership of the AFL, past and present, for ensuring that Liberia contribute to the resolution of conflicts in our region.
“I must also appreciate the contributions of our partners and allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Nigeria, for helping us achieve this milestone,” President Weah noted.
The Commander in Chief pointed out that the Mali mission is a testament to the collective resolve of peace-loving nations around the world who were willing to sacrifice material and human resources in order to put out the flames engulfing their neighbor’s house.
