By Geez Liberia Newsroom
The Government of Liberia has disbursed $1.4 million to a Cameroonian logistics firm for the shipment of military hardware worth $20 million, a generous donation from the African Union to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
The announcement was made by AFL Chief of Staff, Major General Davidson Forleh, on Tuesday, May 20, at a formal ceremony held at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia. The event also marked the official activation of two critical military units: the First Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and the AFL Signal Company.
According to Major General Forleh, the Cameroonian shipping company has acknowledged receipt of the funds, and all is now set for the delivery of the equipment.
“I’ll be traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, for the African Union Chiefs of Staff Conference later this week, and immediately after, I will head to Cameroon to facilitate the shipment process,” Forleh disclosed.
The newly activated battalion is expected to enhance the AFL’s surveillance and response capacity by conducting both ground and aerial reconnaissance missions, gathering vital intelligence, and reacting swiftly to threats.
Assistant Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Jadoe, hailed the soldiers in the new units as “pioneers,” noting that their deployment introduces a modern layer to the AFL’s evolving defense strategy.
“These units will play a vital role in reinforcing national defense by providing timely reconnaissance and intelligence to support decision-making during operations,” Jadoe emphasized.
The ceremony brought together senior Ministry of National Defense officials, including Deputy Minister for Administration, Augustus Larmin, who used the platform to praise the AFL’s growing international reputation, especially in peacekeeping missions.
Minister Larmin revealed that both the United Nations and the Federal Republic of Germany have recognized the AFL’s professionalism, particularly in ongoing operations in Mali.
“The Federal Republic of Germany and members of the United Nations have expressed their appreciation for the AFL’s efforts, especially given that our army is still in its rebuilding phase after years of conflict,” he said.
Delivering a message on behalf of President Joseph Boakai, Commander-in-Chief of the AFL, Minister Larmin reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the army is adequately equipped and supported.
“On behalf of the President, I assure you that all will be done to provide the AFL with the necessary logistics and equipment to execute its statutory duties,” Larmin concluded.
The $20 million worth of equipment, once delivered, is expected to significantly enhance Liberia’s defense capabilities and reaffirm the AFL’s growing role in regional security initiatives.
