Leadership of Demobilized AFL Soldiers Assure President Sirleaf Of Unwavering Support
Wednesday, 24th February 2010
Monrovia, Liberia - Leaders of demobilized soldiers of the former Armed Forces of Liberia met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the Cabinet Room at the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday evening, February 24th, and pledged their total commitment to the peace and stability of the nation. The ex-Liberian army officers assured the President that they will never be part of any acts or activities that would jeopardize the fragile peace the nation is currently enjoying.
The former soldiers apologized to the President for their ill-thought attempt to introduce a petition to call for her impeachment.
The Liberian leader accepted their apologies and said the soldiers must consider it a closed case. The former soldiers presented a list of challenges they are facing as they try to reintegrate into civilian life. Paramount among the concerns are: the need for vocational training for former young soldiers; financial support for elderly former soldiers; pension schemes; as well as the possible reintegration of some of them into the ranks of the new army.
In her response, President Johnson Sirleaf, flanked by the Minister of State, Dr. Edward McClain, and the Minister of National Defense, Brownie Samukai, said that she would ask the Defense Minister to meet with the former soldiers to come up with a workable plan. She assured them that their arrears would be paid in a lump sum in the next budget calendar, if not earlier. The Commander-in-Chief also promised that pensions for the former soldiers would be paid, as of now, through the Ministry of Defense.
Regarding the desire of some of them to join the new army, President Sirleaf said there was nothing forbidding them from applying. The President stressed, however, that they must go through the same vetting process as everyone else.
The former soldiers assured the President that they would put an end to their advocacy and work with her to move the country forward. They extended their gratitude for the development currently taking place in the country.
The former soldiers apologized to the President for their ill-thought attempt to introduce a petition to call for her impeachment.
The Liberian leader accepted their apologies and said the soldiers must consider it a closed case. The former soldiers presented a list of challenges they are facing as they try to reintegrate into civilian life. Paramount among the concerns are: the need for vocational training for former young soldiers; financial support for elderly former soldiers; pension schemes; as well as the possible reintegration of some of them into the ranks of the new army.
In her response, President Johnson Sirleaf, flanked by the Minister of State, Dr. Edward McClain, and the Minister of National Defense, Brownie Samukai, said that she would ask the Defense Minister to meet with the former soldiers to come up with a workable plan. She assured them that their arrears would be paid in a lump sum in the next budget calendar, if not earlier. The Commander-in-Chief also promised that pensions for the former soldiers would be paid, as of now, through the Ministry of Defense.
Regarding the desire of some of them to join the new army, President Sirleaf said there was nothing forbidding them from applying. The President stressed, however, that they must go through the same vetting process as everyone else.
The former soldiers assured the President that they would put an end to their advocacy and work with her to move the country forward. They extended their gratitude for the development currently taking place in the country.
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