The newly confirmed Minister of National Defense, Maj. Gen. Prince C. Johnson III, has resigned his post with immediate effect as of February 12, 2024.
The Minister of National Defense’s resignation comes after days of protestation by women claiming to be wives of personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia, who setup roadblocks on major highways, including the Robertsfield Highway, the Bong Mines Bridge, and the Caldwell Bridge on the Bushrod Island, demanding his removal by the President.
The Executive Mansion said, “The President of the Republic of Liberia and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has received and accepted a letter of resignation from the recently confirmed Minister of National Defense, Prince C. Johnson.”
In a meeting with President Joseph Boakai on February 12, the Wives of the AFL accused Johnson of corruption, low salary and incentive, lack of insurance, poor housing facility, lack of education programs for their children, and retirement benefits.
They also informed the President that those issues have long been on the table, but were not given due attention by the General or his bosses.
According to the Executive Mansion, the former Minister of National Defense outlined his reasons for his action, noting that due to the current political and civil disturbance occasioned by the protest of women believed to be wives of service men, he made the decision to resign and preserve the peace and security of the State.
In a press release, the EM noted that President Boakai expressed gratitude to Minister Johnson for his invaluable service to the country and described him as a patriot.
The President instructed the Army to ensure all those impeding the free movement of people and vehicles through actions that block major thoroughfare across the country to immediately remove themselves and allow the government to resolve their grievances.
Meanwhile, activities commemorating the 67th Armed Forces Day celebrations were abruptly cancelled yesterday morning as a result of an ongoing protestation from some women claiming to be wives of soldiers, calling for the resignation of newly confirmed Defense Minister, Prince Charles Johnson III.
The cancellation of the celebrations came as a shock to many, as the day is typically marked by parades, festivities, and speeches honoring the country’s military.
This year, the mood was somber as some women claiming to be soldiers’ wives gathered to express their discontent with Johnson’s handling of their living conditions while serving as Chief of Staff for the past six years.
Major General Johnson (retired), who led the army during the administration of President George Weah from 2018 to 2024, was confirmed as Defense Minister, along with Jeroline George as Deputy Defense Minister, including a new Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff.
But a day after his confirmation, the purported wives of AFL soldiers placed a road block on the RIA beside the EBK Barracks, giving President Joseph Boakai a 24 hour-ultimatum to withdraw or ensure Johnson resigns as Defense Minister of the country.
According to them, the appointment of Johnson as Defense Minister is not in the interest of the soldiers and the Army in general, and described Johnson as a “dreadful, power-drunk, inhumane, impassionate, corrupt, and blood-sucking vampire.”
As a means of addressing the AFL Wives’ concerns, President Boakai, on the eve of the Armed Forces Day celebration, issued a directive for a scaled-back observance.
The President, in a release issued by the Executive Mansion, said, “Directive by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia February 11, 2024 Program marking the observance of the 67th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day will be reduced to a short and low-key activity.”
It added, “The President will lead officials on a visit with the men and women of the Armed Forces at the Edward Beyan Kesselly Barrack in Schieffelin, Margibi County on Monday, February 12, 2024.”
President Boakai reassured the women that their grievances would be thoroughly investigated with a view to finding redress where possible.
He promised to constitute a committee to probe into the matter and provide a report within a week’s time. In the interim, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) was instructed to restore electricity at the EBK Barrack, upon the orders of the Commander-In-Chief.
The President also declared the Linda Thomas Greenfield School at the EBK Barracks tuition-free.
But despite the President’s assurance and promise, the AFL Wives, early yesterday morning, continued their protestation across all AFL Barracks, leading to the cancellation of the Armed Forces Day celebration.
The protest, which was only at the EBK Barracks, later spread to Gbarnga, Bong County, Kakata, Margibi County, and in Grand Gedeh County, blocking every entrance, as well as preventing the movement of vehicles, motorcycles, and kehkeh.
With the BTC Barracks all set for the commencement of the Armed Forces Day celebration, the President then issued a directive calling for the cancellation of the program, leaving dignitaries and other guests frustrated.
The President, in his media advisory, said, “There wouldn’t be a formal program at the BTC this morning. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. will lead a delegation to the Edward B. Kesselly Barracks this morning. The media is advised accordingly.”
Meanwhile, the continuous protestation by the AFL Wives and the cancellation of the country’s historic Armed Forces Day celebrations have sparked debates among several Liberians, with some criticizing the government for its handling of the situation.
Some described the government’s decision to cancel the Armed Forces Day celebration as welcoming and in the interest of the country, stating that problems cannot be solved in the midst of celebrations, while others were of the opposite opinion.
Joseph Wright, a resident of the Duazon Community, condemned the government’s response, stating that the cancellation of the festivities was a “shameful act” that undermined the sacrifices of the Armed Forces.
According to him, there is a need that President Boakai listens the cries of the AFL Wives and ensures the removal of Gen. Johnson, stating, “because his leadership has failed to adequately address the needs of the military and their families.”
But Charles Bright and Ma Sarah, on the contrary, said the President was right to have cancelled the celebration and ensure investigation is launched into the allegations against Gen. Johnson.
“This man served the AFL as Chief of Staff for six years and you are telling us that these women did not see these problems ever since; why now?
“I think their action is political and the President must not just take some hasty decision against Gen. Johnson until investigation is launched to ascertain the facts, because where one’s rights end is where another person’s rights begin,” Ma Sarah added.
As it stands, the future of Liberia’s Armed Forces remains uncertain as the government seeks to quell the unrest and address the grievances of military families.
Motorists, including kehkeh riders, motorcyclists, and private and commercial vehicles, were deprived of plowing major highways that lead to the Capital City, Monrovia.
One of the women, who did not identify herself, called on President Joseph Boakai to, with immediate effect, dismiss the Minister National Defense, on allegation of corruption, low salary and incentives for their husbands, as well as no education programs for their children living with them in the military facilities.
“Our husbands were denied of their just benefits for the past six years. We, their wives, have been bearing it because we were sure that the new government would have heard our cries. Before we voted for President Boakai, we told him that our husbands’ salaries were harmonized and there was no health insurance for us and our children, all because of the way Prince Johnson treated the Army when he was Chief of Staff.
My husband is making US$280 now; even if Prince advocates for our salaries to be increased, we will still remove him. We are tired suffering and there are no good sleeping places for us, no toilet, and no LEC current in our barracks.
“Other countries’ soldiers and families are benefiting and enjoying, but when it comes to Liberia, one small room for you and your family and nowhere to rest. So, I believe that blocking the roads today will help solve this problem, when the roads are blocked, no cars going and coming, the President will know that we are very serious about our decisions,” she narrated.
However, some concerned citizens, including bystanders, motorcyclists, and kehkeh riders, expressed complete dissatisfaction over the manner and form in which the long-awaited Armed Forces Day celebration was treated by the wives of some personnel of the AFL.
One motorcyclist, who identified himself as Kaifa Yamah, said “The situation on ground looks so embarrassing to me since they started this protest last week. Our men in arms should have known better than to put their wives in the streets to disrupt their own celebration. We cannot always be doing the same thing and expect different result. I want the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army to not take this lightly.”
“We came to look for our families’ daily bread, and experiencing this is not good for some of us, especially this new government. I think President Boakai should just change the Minister so that everyone can return to their normal activities,” Yamah advised.
For his part, Vamuyan Saysay said, “This is very wrong. It is against the law. These people are the first-class citizens of our country. So, we are expecting them to write their grievances through documents, not by protesting in the street like this.
“If you think that Johnson stole your money, take him to court. Coming in the streets like this to embarrass others is very wrong and totally against the will of the citizens,” Saysay said.
“I don’t believe that these women are acting alone. They have the support of their husbands. According to their own rule, no service man should get involved in protestation, neglect his duty, or carry-on other acts that contradict the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So, I want the president to take the necessary steps against the “husbands” of these women so as to serve as a deterrent to others,” Saysay concluded.
