The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) finds itself in a frustrating predicament: a much-needed logistical support package worth US$20 million, donated by the African Union (AU), remains undelivered due to a US$1.3 million shortfall in transportation costs. This delay has understandably irked President George Weah, the Commander-in-Chief of the AFL, and underscores a critical logistical hurdle hindering the nation’s defense and peacekeeping capabilities. The equipment, ranging from military vehicles and earth-moving machinery to crucial infrastructure development tools like fire trucks and a substantial supply of spare parts, is currently held at the AU’s Continental Logistics Base in Douala, Cameroon, awaiting shipment to Liberia.
Brigadier General Davidson F. Forleh, Chief of Staff of the AFL, expressed his concerns regarding the delay, highlighting the significant diplomatic efforts undertaken to secure this donation. Foreign Minister Sarah Bayslow Nyanti played a pivotal role in advocating for this assistance, successfully persuading the AU to commit these vital resources to Liberia. The AU has fulfilled its commitment to provide the equipment and requires no further financial contributions from Liberia beyond the transportation costs. A dedicated AU representative, Melvin Joseph, has been assigned to facilitate the delivery process, emphasizing the AU’s commitment to supporting Liberia.
The primary obstacle impeding the delivery is the US$1.3 million required for transportation. While the reason for the delay in securing these funds remains unclear, General Forleh suspects a communication breakdown within the Liberian government may be contributing to the issue. He remains optimistic, however, citing assurances from Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan that the funds will be allocated and the shipment expedited. The timely arrival of this equipment is crucial for bolstering Liberia’s national security and enabling the AFL to fulfill its regional and international peacekeeping obligations.
The acquisition of this logistical support represents the culmination of sustained diplomatic and military engagement spearheaded by General Forleh since 2018. Initially advocating for this support during his tenure as Liberia’s Defense Attaché to the AU, General Forleh played a key role in securing the donation. He subsequently engaged with AU officials to finalize the approval of the comprehensive equipment package, demonstrating his commitment to strengthening the AFL’s capabilities. The donated equipment includes a range of vital assets, from cargo trucks and military vehicles to bulldozers, fuel tanks, and fire trucks, alongside a three-year supply of spare parts, totaling a value of US$20.6 million.
These resources are essential for various AFL operations, including troop transportation, field missions, disaster relief efforts, and crucially, international peacekeeping deployments. They will significantly enhance the AFL’s capacity to respond effectively to national security challenges and contribute to regional stability. The delay in receiving this equipment hampers the AFL’s ability to effectively carry out these crucial roles.
The AU’s commitment to providing this logistical support was formally confirmed during high-level diplomatic engagements. At the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State in February 2024, Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, representing President Boakai, received official confirmation of the AU’s pledge to supply both lethal and non-lethal equipment from the Continental Logistics Base in Douala. This commitment was further reinforced during the 16th Ordinary Session of the AU’s Specialized Technical Committee on Defense, Safety, and Security in June 2024, where Brigadier General Forleh engaged with Dr. Sarjo Bah, Director of Conflict Management at the AU Commission, to follow up on logistical and capacity-building support for the AFL. These high-level engagements underscore the importance of this support and the collaborative efforts undertaken to strengthen Liberia’s security capabilities. The current delay in transporting the equipment represents a critical bottleneck in this otherwise successful diplomatic endeavor.
