Liberia: Army Wives Call for Audit of AFL

The wives of officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia have again taken what seems to be a bold and audacious step in demanding transparency and accountability within their country’s military. Tired of enduring years of corruption and neglect, they have called on President Boakai to initiate a forensic audit of the army.

“Mr. President, I want you to address the area of corruption. Johnson has retired but there are still tracks of things that need to be cleaned,” said Josephine Hall, the spokesperson for the women, in a statement read before Legislative reporters on Tuesday, February 13. “We need to clean the mess. Mr. President, I want you to please use your humble office and all of your people to see how best you can carry on a clear audit.”

Hall and hundreds of her colleagues initiated a mass nationwide protest on Monday, which brought the nation to a standstill. The protest highlighted the urgent need to address the fundamental issues faced by servicemen and women and their families.

The ten-hour nationwide siege staged by the wives of Armed Forces officers in protest of their grievances, paralyzed major commercial hubs such as Monrovia, Gbarnga, Ganta, Zwedru, and the major highways accessing those areas.

They set up roadblocks, leading to massive traffic congestion and causing some individuals to continue their journeys on foot. While their actions undoubtedly inconvenienced many, the women said it is crucial to understand the underlying reasons that compelled them to take such drastic measures.

The officers’ wives firmly stated that their protest stemmed from years of pain and the denial of basic necessities and better welfare for servicemen and women. Despite their dedication and sacrifices, they have witnessed corruption flourish within the armed forces. This systemic problem has resulted in low salaries, a lack of social security, electricity shortages, and a lack of death and retirement benefits.

According to the spokesperson, they had no choice but to come out in huge numbers to protest since their earlier petitions sent to the Office of the President and the Senate were not given attention. 

“It was not right but we wanted people to seek our interest, we wanted the people to give us hearing ears, and they didn’t give us it. That was why we decided to do that for the world to listen to us and for our President to listen to us,” said Josephine Hall.

The all-day protest led to the cancellation of the annual Armed Forces Day celebration, scheduled for February 11th. The executive mansion announced a low-key celebration.

Their action also led to Retired Major General Prince Charles Johnson III, who had already been confirmed as Minister of Defense, announcing his resignation. 

According to the women, they did not hate Johnson, but described his actions as forbidden, which compelled soldiers of the army not to cooperate with his leadership.

“We do not hate (Retired) Maj. Gen. Johnson but his action was forbidden. There was no way the soldiers would work with him; they sent us out there to do what we did,” Hall said.

Regret and Apologies

Realizing the impact of their actions on the nation’s civilians, the wives of the officers involved in the protest have expressed regret and issued an apology to the President and the Liberian public.

Hall clarified that they do not wish to be seen as troublemakers, but rather as individuals pushed to the brink by years of suffering without any resolution from the Army’s high command.

According to the spokesperson, they regret their actions and apologize to all those who missed their scheduled air travels. 

They thanked President Boakai for listening to them and setting up an independent investigator to probe their grievances.

“We want to take this time to tell our President he did extremely well by listening to us well; so we want to this time to thank you people. We want to thank President Boakai for listening to his soldiers,” she said.

However, by calling for a forensic audit of the Armed Forces, these courageous women have demonstrated their commitment to transparency and accountability, one of the soldiers whose wife was at the forefront of Monday’s protest told the Daily Observer.

He said conducting such an audit will help uncover any acts of corruption and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

“This process will help restore faith in the armed forces and provide a stronger foundation for the future,” he said. “This protest led by our wives has shed light on the deep-rooted issues plaguing the military and its impact on the lives of us and our families, especially our wives and children.

“So by demanding a forensic audit, we are only seeking justice, transparency, and better conditions for us and our loved ones,” he said.

Meanwhile, many Liberians believe that it is high time that the government acknowledges the grievances of AFL officers and their wives and takes concrete steps to address corruption, provide fair wages, improve social security, and ensure adequate benefits.

“It is a crucial moment for Liberia to demonstrate its commitment to its servicemen and women, recognizing the sacrifices they make in safeguarding the nation’s security,” a caller said on a phone-in talk show on Tuesday.