PHOTO: Cllr. Gongloe addressing an AFL symposium this week
By Augustine Octavius, ugustineoctavius@gmail.com
The President of the Liberia National Bar Association has pleaded with the Armed Forces of Liberia never to intervene into politics no matter how bad the prevailing situation is in the country.
Counselor Taiwon Gongloe said the Liberian army should leave governance with politicians, because any attempt for military intervention will worsen the already bad situation.
Cllr. Gongloe was speaking on the theme: “ Enhancing Military and Legislative Interacting in a Democracy: Liberia in Perspective,” at a one-day symposium held in observance of the 64 anniversary of the Armed Forces Day in Monrovia’s Congo Town suburb earlier this week (Wednesday).
According to him, the Liberian army should continue to maintain its statutory mandate by providing security within the territorial limit of the country.
The Liberia National Bar Association President pointed out that Liberia is still suffering from the impact of the 1980 bloody military coup by the People’s Redemption Council
According to him, the soldiers even did worse than those who overthrew for rampant corruption, one party rule and abuse of public office.
Following the military coup, he explained, some of the soldiers assigned ranks unto themselves and increase acts of indiscipline, mistrust and allegations of coup and counter coups characterized the military regime and these were some of the acts brought about the war.
According to him, there is no record to show that any group of Liberians made an official request for the military to intervene to redeem the country in 1980
“It was true that Liberia was governed by one group of people, who were benefitting from the resources of the country,” he went on, “but these problem political problems needed to be solved by politicians.”
He explained that the progressives, who comprised of the opposition were aware that those who staged the military, coup did not have the education so they were more dangerous things than the True Wing Party ruling elites. .
“However,” Counselor Gongloe went on, “over the last decade, there has been growing public confidence and incrementally professionalism in the new army based on the opinions observations of many observers,” the Liberian Bar Association President said.
Cllr. Gongloe continued: “The army is now trusted than other para military institutions and I called on other para military forces to follow the examples of the Liberian army by remaining politically neutral and by following their good examples and becoming more professional.”
The Liberia National Bar Association President encouraged the army to revise the high level of food insecurity by establishing an agriculture battalion purposely to contribute the food insecurity looming in the country.
“Death by hunger and death by use of force or violence amount to the same death because Liberians are dying slowly due to their inability to buy food for themselves.”
According to him, most of high earning in the country goes towards the importation of rice and other food items ;so the legislature needs to support the Liberian army in reducing food insecurity.
“I suggest that the army establish a robust agriculture battalion so as to contribute to the reduction of the importation of rice and other food stuffs.”
During the symposium, discussants advanced several recommendations at aimed improving the army’s role in the maintenance of security, peace and protection of democracy in the country.
Discussants at the symposium were Representative Jimmy Smith, Montserrado County; Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah, Bong County and Counselor Cyril Jones.
Others were Lt, Col Matthew Alden, Military Attache, United States Embassy; Attorney Ousman Dukuy, Commissioner, National Elections Commission; and Cecelia Flomo , Acting Executive Director, Governance Commission
Also present were Major General Prince C Johnson, Chief of Staff of the AFL; Brig Gen Geraldine George, AFL Deputy Chief of Staff, Olandrus Dickson, Deputy Minister for Administration , Ministry of National Defense.