By Bill W. Cooper
The Senate Committee Chairperson on Security, Defense and Intelligence, Momo Cyrus, has called on Senate Pro-Tempore to engage with the Executive Branch to resolve the ongoing issue of the unpaid dismissed officers of the Executive Protection Service (EPS).
The Lofa County Senator, however, described the government’s refusal to settle these payments as a potential national security threat, raising alarms about the implications for public safety and the rule of law in Liberia.
The senator’s remarks come in the wake of increasing concerns about the potential for unrest among former EPS officers, many of whom have expressed frustration over their unpaid salaries and benefits.
The EPS, tasked with the protection of high-profile government officials and dignitaries, including the country’s Presidencies has faced significant challenges following the ‘illegal’ dismissal of officers since the inception of the Joseph Boakai’s administration.
These dismissals, which were reportedly linked to the illegal employment of these officers and restructuring within the agency, have left many of the aggrieved officers without their due compensation, leading to growing unrest.
Giving his Committee’s update on January 23, 2025, during the regular session, Sen. Cyrus emphasized the critical role that the EPS plays in maintaining national security and public order.
“Colleagues, as Chairman of the Defense Committee, I was tasked to investigate the dismissed EPS officers’ complaint and following my investigation, I recommended that the government settle these individuals.
Because the EPS is not just a bodyguard unit; it is a vital component of our national security architecture, and as it stands, the government refusal to pay these men is a national security threat,” he said.
Sen. Cyrus maintained, “When you have officers who have dedicated their lives to protecting our leaders and they are left without pay and feel aggrieved, it sends a dangerous message.”
“It also undermines morale and could lead to a breakdown in the very security framework that we rely on. So, Pro-Tempore, I urged that you work with the Executive Branch to settle these men’s payments,” he noted.
According to him, the government must recognize that this is not just a financial issue; it is a matter of national security.
He asserted, “We cannot afford to have disgruntled former security personnel roaming the streets without any means of support.”
“And if this situation is not addressed at the soonest possible time, it might create a volatile situation that could be exploited by those with ill intentions,” he added.
Sen. Cyrus further urged Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence to take immediate action to facilitate discussions with the Executive, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive plan to settle the outstanding payments of these agents.