US Pledges More Support For AFL
Courtesy: Public Agenda
16 April, 2010
The United States Government has pledged more supports to the Armed Forces of Liberia in keeping with
the postwar Security Sector Reform through the ACRICOM Command program.
Since the training started in 2006, the US Government has been providing logistical and mentor supports to
the Liberian army whose strength is targeting 2000 soldiers.
Even though the Liberian government has assumed full control of the maintenance, growth and other
responsibilities of the army, since January 1, 2010, U.S. military mentors are continuing the partnership
subsisting between the two nations and are serving as role models for the AFL.
But speaking when he visited Defense Ministry authorities Wednesday, the commander of AFRICOM
Command, Gen. William Ward said the support of the US government will remain until the training is
completed.
He recalled that the commitment of his government depends on what the Liberian people want saying but
"You do not expect us to do it for you because this is your country and we expect you to tell us what to do."
Speaking at the Barclay Training Center, which is the new Ministry National Defense headquarters, Gen.
Ward challenged Liberian soldiers to pay attention to the training.
He called on the soldiers to be exemplary in their new career and respect international laws and protocols of
the military.
The United States, through State Department's Security Sector Reform Program, began supporting Liberia in
its effort to build the army which melted into the various warring factions during the war, making it unpopular
with the people.
On the issue of AFRICOM, he said the headquarters will remain in Germany instead of coming to Africa as
was highly speculated in Liberia.
Gen. Ward met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and, later, with Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai as
well as the Commander-In-Charge of the AFL, Major General S.A. Abdurrahman, a Nigerian who is
responsible for the army in keeping with the Security Sector Reform.
Courtesy: Public Agenda
16 April, 2010
The United States Government has pledged more supports to the Armed Forces of Liberia in keeping with
the postwar Security Sector Reform through the ACRICOM Command program.
Since the training started in 2006, the US Government has been providing logistical and mentor supports to
the Liberian army whose strength is targeting 2000 soldiers.
Even though the Liberian government has assumed full control of the maintenance, growth and other
responsibilities of the army, since January 1, 2010, U.S. military mentors are continuing the partnership
subsisting between the two nations and are serving as role models for the AFL.
But speaking when he visited Defense Ministry authorities Wednesday, the commander of AFRICOM
Command, Gen. William Ward said the support of the US government will remain until the training is
completed.
He recalled that the commitment of his government depends on what the Liberian people want saying but
"You do not expect us to do it for you because this is your country and we expect you to tell us what to do."
Speaking at the Barclay Training Center, which is the new Ministry National Defense headquarters, Gen.
Ward challenged Liberian soldiers to pay attention to the training.
He called on the soldiers to be exemplary in their new career and respect international laws and protocols of
the military.
The United States, through State Department's Security Sector Reform Program, began supporting Liberia in
its effort to build the army which melted into the various warring factions during the war, making it unpopular
with the people.
On the issue of AFRICOM, he said the headquarters will remain in Germany instead of coming to Africa as
was highly speculated in Liberia.
Gen. Ward met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and, later, with Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai as
well as the Commander-In-Charge of the AFL, Major General S.A. Abdurrahman, a Nigerian who is
responsible for the army in keeping with the Security Sector Reform.
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