-As President Weah declares Monday, February 11, “Armed Forces Day”
Monrovia- Ahead of Monday, February 11, 2019 celebrations of the founding of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), authorities of the AFL have called for the increase in the government’s budgetary allocation for the Ministry of National Defense, with similar calls coming from other cycles.
Defense Minister Retired General Daniel Ziankahn made the call for more money to be pumped into the military at a symposium organized as part of celebrations marking Armed Forces Day at the Monrovia City Hall earlier this week.
Defense Minister Retired General Daniel Ziankahn
Current allocation in the 2018/2019 national fiscal budget for the Ministry of National Defense is US$977,675, a drop from nearly US$1.9 million in the 2017/2018 national budget.
The Chairmen and members of the Defense and security committees in both the Liberian House of Representatives and Senate as well as some officials of civil society groups have also called for increase in the Defense Ministry’s budget, in order to increase the pay and other facilities for the estimated over 2,000 soldiers.
Meanwhile, President George Manneh Weah, who is also Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), has by Proclamation declared Monday, February 11, 2019 as “Armed Forces Day” and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a National Holiday.
The Proclamation further directs all military and paramilitary organizations within the Republic to organize and execute appropriate programs including parades and other ceremonies in recognition of the Day; accordingly, all government offices, public and business houses are to be closed during the observance.
According to a Foreign Ministry press release, this year’s Armed Forces Day, in its 61st year, will be celebrated at the Barclay Training Center ( BTC) under the theme: ‘’ Building a Force for Good, Through Service and Welfare’’
The release says the Proclamation is in consonance with an Act of National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia which declared the 11TH day of February of each year as “Armed Forces Day” to be celebrated as a National Holiday.
According to the Proclamation, the observance is in recognition of the vital role of the Armed Forces of Liberia, (AFL) in defending and protecting Liberia’s territorial integrity and its people from foreign aggression as well as upholding the social and political liberty of the people of Liberia as enshrined in the constitution of Liberia.
The release also stressed that with the professional development of men and women in arms , the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has been reinvigorated to discharge its constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding the Liberian borders, including remaining vigilant for possible foreign aggression against the state as well as contributing to the Government Pro-Poor Agenda on infrastructure expression and development.
According to the Proclamation, during the observance, special attention and honor will be given to the veterans of the AFL and the Coast Guard who have seen active and experienced actual service therein and upheld the tenants of democracy and human rights during service.
The Government of Liberia found it necessary to recognize the talents, service, patriotism, loyalty and gallantry to the upkeep of the this Noble Heritage by those men and women who are now memorialized through the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs as ordered by the Act of the National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia of 22nd of July 2008, the Proclamation declared.
“With the passage of the National Defense Act Of 2008 the Armed Forces of Liberia remain steadfast in supporting the foundation for long-term security and economic development in Liberia as well as fostering regional peace through peacekeeping missions for the consolidation of enhancing and strengthening democracy throughout the region “, the Proclamation further also added.