President Weah pays tribute to AFL soldiers

FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL MISSION TO MAINTAIN PEACE IN MALI

Monrovia, Liberia – President George Weah presented awards to the men and women of the Liberian Armed Forces on Saturday, December 23, 2023, in recognition of their effective completion of the UN Multidimensional Integration Stabilisation Mission in Mali, a country in West Africa.

Members of the Armed Forces of Liberia were authorised full involvement in the peacekeeping operations in Mali in June 2013, by an official decree of the Liberian government through the National Legislature, in connection with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), a mission that was originally known as the African-Led International Support Mission to Mali.

After completing its first peacekeeping mission in 1968, the AFL did not take part in another one until 2013. On June 22, 2013, the newly formed AFL was brought into the African-Led International Assistance Mission to Mali’s assistance operations.

In his speech, President George Weah, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, noted that this was the first peacekeeping mission since the end of the country’s civil war more than five years ago, following the conclusion of AFL operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

He went on to say that in order for Liberians to ensure that their country help other nations in the region, they must acknowledge the contributions made by past commanders in chief, the AFL’s leadership, and the Men and Women in Arms.

The mission is a monument to democracy and peace in the area, according to the Liberian leader.

“The Armed Forces of Liberia are commemorating the successful conclusion of their mission in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali, as we gather here today to mark the tenth anniversary of their participation in the peacekeeping effort in that country.”

According to The Liberian Leader, the government of Liberia authorised seven hundred thousand US dollars for the fiscal year 2022 to the Ministry of National Defense to support peace operations. He added that there are still difficulties in spite of the central government’s intervention and asked donors for additional help.