-In the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – Delivering a special address on the 69th Armed Forces Day, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., outlined an ambitious, multi-year strategy to overhaul the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)—prioritizing the recruitment of 2,400 new soldiers, the renovation of military barracks, and the integration of women into the country’s defense architecture.
The occasion was held on February 11, 2026, at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia. President Boakai framed the reforms as both a national duty and a generational investment. “We will continue to create pathways for women to serve, lead, and excel in every aspect of military life,” President Boakai declared. “The future of the Armed Forces must be inclusive.”
“Women bring unique perspectives, skills, and strengths to the military,” he said. “Their presence enriches the institution and ensures that the AFL reflects the full potential of our nation.”
In a pointed gesture, the President reminded the audience that his Minister of National Defense is the first woman to ever hold the position—a signal, he suggested, of his administration’s broader commitment to gender parity in national security.
Facing high attrition rates and an aging force, the Liberian leader announced the commencement of an annual recruitment of 600 personnel into the AFL, beginning this year and continuing through 2029.
“This recruitment drive is not just about numbers; it is about fashioning a force that reflects the diversity, resilience, and aspirations of the Liberian people,” Boakai said. “It is a deliberate strategy to ensure the AFL remains youthful, dynamic, and capable of responding to both traditional and emerging security threats.”
Acknowledging the cramped and often inadequate living conditions of Liberian soldiers, the President directed the Ministry of National Defense, in coordination with the Ministries of State and Public Works, to conduct immediate assessments and begin renovation works on barracks in Bomi and Maryland counties. This follows recently completed upgrades in Margibi and Nimba. “These projects are more than infrastructure; they are investments in dignity,” Boakai emphasized. “A soldier who is dignified at home will defend our nation abroad.”
In what his administration described as a “new frontier” in military welfare, President Boakai announced that a dedicated mental health facility will be constructed and operationalized at the 14 Military Hospital, made possible through an initial contribution from ECOWAS. “Military service often comes with invisible wounds,” the President noted. “By addressing mental health, we affirm that resilience is not only physical but also psychological. A strong military is one that is prepared in mind as much as in body.”
The facility, he pledged, would serve not only AFL personnel but also the wider Liberian public.
President Boakai spotlighted the work of the ELSIE Foundation, which has committed funding specifically to increase female parity within the AFL. He rejected any characterization of the initiative as merely symbolic, instead describing it as a transformative shift in institutional culture.
The Armed Forces Day event also served as a diplomatic platform. President Boakai extended profound gratitude to the ceremony’s keynote speaker, Major General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, acknowledging Nigeria’s historic and continued solidarity with Liberia.
“It is firmly etched in history that Nigeria has stood with Liberia both in times of trial and triumph,” Boakai said. “Together, we stand as partners against the challenges of instability, terrorism, and transnational threats.”
He also welcomed delegates from the National Defense University’s Capstone Program, led by General Thomas D. Waldhauser, hailing their presence as a testament to enduring U.S.-Liberia security cooperation. As the ceremony drew to a close, President Boakai called on the nation to recognize its soldiers not merely as defenders of borders, but as guardians of Liberia’s sovereignty and future. “To our soldiers, officers, and all members of our security institutions, Liberia salutes you,” he said. “Your courage inspires us, your sacrifice strengthens us, and your service unites us.”
