-Chief of Staff discloses
Several personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), who recently left the country to undergo training in the United States of America, have escaped, intending not to return to Liberia.
According to Army Chief of Staff Maj/Gen. Prince C. Johnson, who made the disclosure Thursday on Truth FM radio, it is disgraceful that over 300 soldiers of the AFL who have gone for training in the U.S. over the years, approximately 16 of them have escaped.
He described the attitude exhibited by the escapees as troubling; stressing that each of them signed a commitment document to return to Liberia following his or her study or training in the USA.
The AFL Chief of Staff averred that some people see the USA as a place for greener pasture, lamenting that such action by the escaped AFL personnel is a violation under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
General Johnson further said unlike other countries where members of the Liberian army travel frequently for training, it’s only in the USA that personnel of the AFL have a record of absconding training.
He said the actions of the escaped soldiers is embarrassing to the Liberia, especially the Liberian military, pointing out that the AFL High Command will therefore, ask family members of the escapees out of the soldier barracks.
According to him, the High Command of the AFL gives homes to a soldier and not to a family member, stressing that the military high command will not compromise this.
In a related development, Chief of Staff Johnson said it is mandatory for every personal of the AFL to take the Coronavirus vaccine.
He made it clear that any military personnel, who will not take the COVID-19 vaccine, will not be allowed entry into any military barracks in the country.