PHOTO: Amb. Ajisome being decorated by Pres. Weah during the ceremony
Delivering the keynote speech at the 65th anniversary of Armed Forces Day at the weekend, the former Ambassador of ECOWAS to Liberia, Babatunde Ajisomo has warned the Armed Forces of Liberia against military coup as it was being done in some African counties in recent times.
According to him, military intervention in politics creates the spring board for coups and counter coups, which have the propensity for bloodshed in some cases.
Amb. Ajisom, who was decor cautioned the military and other security forces must continue to be extremely apolitical in order to create a conducive environment for a transparent electoral process.
“Political stability is the priority of every nation, including older democracies like the United States of America, which the Republic of Liberia and Africa as a whole hold in high esteem,” the former ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia said.
Amb. Ajisomo maintained that the Armed Forces of Liberia has a role to play alongside other security agencies in Liberia to ensure that Liberians enjoy their human rights relating to and in the context of elections, including right to freedom from discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of opinion, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, freedom of movement, freedom from fear and intimidation among other rights.
“Consequently,” he went on, “ it is imperative that every security agency in Liberia, including the Armed Forces of Liberia should collaborate with the National Electoral Commission and support a human rights-based electoral climate that would further consolidate peace and development in the country.”
Amb. Ajisomo added: “Accordingly, there should be an independent, non-discriminatory and transparent mechanisms in place to ensure accountability for electoral malpractices and aggrieved candidates should be able to avail such mechanisms to ventilate or articulate within the parameters of the law, their electoral grievances, without hindrance.”
This year’s celebration of the Armed Forces was held under theme: “Enhancing the Security of Liberia through a Comprehensive Approach.”
The weekend ceremony at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) brought together a cross of present and former officials of government, foreign dignitaries and citizens. Report by Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com