-EPS reacts to ex-president Weah’s request for 25 EPS agents, confirms the dismissal of several EPS agents
By Jerromie S. Walters
Amid concerns regarding the request of former Liberian President George Weah for a minimum of twenty-five Executive Protection Service agents, the Executive force (EPS) says the size of the detail or bodyguards corps assigned is determined by the EPS based on the threat level around said VIP and if the former president desires to have more than what he was given, he should hire private security guards.
In a release dated March 20, 2024, the EPS justified that there is no law in the book that the force must provide bodyguards for former Presidents, former vice Presidents, etc., but says it has been a longstanding tradition that the incumbent President usually authorizes security protection for those who had occupied the office before him or her.
In keeping with said tradition, the EPS says the provision of security protection to the former President and former Vice President is automatic; and not based on a request from the former. “Secondly, the EPS has assigned several well-trained agents with long-term experience to former President Weah, meaning he is in safe hands. In Liberia’s recent history, he is the first former president who has received the biggest number of bodyguards. But, if he so desires more security protection, he can hire private security guards as former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and then Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai did over the past six years.”
At the same time, the Executive Protection Service has acknowledged recent reports about the dismissal of scores of Executive Protection Service agents. The release states: “We wish to clarify issues raised by some politicians and journalists in the media about the Executive Protection Service regarding EPS agents assigned to former President George Manneh Weah and also those EPS agents whose services were terminated due to prolonged absence from work without leaves (AWOL), thus showing no interest in the jobs.”
The Executive Protection Service argued that almost all the agents, who were terminated have not reported to work since January 2024.
“Lastly, on the issue of dismissed and resigned agents, almost all the agents, who were terminated have not reported to work since January 2024. Information received by the EPS indicates most of them have left the country. Also, almost all those who resigned are abroad and have communicated their resignation from the jobs to the EPS Human Resource Department.”
Pundits’ thoughts and legal justification
Though it is not provided constitutionally that it is mandatory for a former president to be provided executive protection by the state, political pundits have argued that Executive Law Chapter 1, Sections 1.3 and 1.4 discuss annuities for the President and Vice President, suggesting a broader state responsibility towards the welfare of its former leaders that extends to personal safety and security.
Meanwhile, Executive Order No. 91 issued by President Sirleaf outlines the provision of transition services, including vehicles, chauffeurs, and VIP protection (EPS and Police Services), for the outgoing President and Vice President. It illustrates the practical application of principles laid out in The Executive Law regarding the security of former leaders, reinforcing the idea that such provisions are part of the expected transition package.
Also, the 2023 Pension Bill passed by the Liberian Senate also includes personal staff and police protection among the retirement benefits for former presidents and other high-ranking officials. The bill clarifies and expands the scope of benefits, including security, that the state is mandated to provide to its former executives.
Koijee warns the UP
Recently, the Secretary General of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), cautioned the ruling establishment to be mindful of its governance and informed them that they (CDC) have what it takes to make the Unity Party and its government uncomfortable.
This was supposedly promoted by the refusal of the Executive Protection Service to adhere to former president George Weah’s request for at least twenty-five EPS agents.
As an emphasis to this request, Koijee told journalists that if President Joseph Boakai cannot provide said number, supporters of CDC will protect Weah themselves.
Koijee: “President WEAH asked for 25 EPS personnel but if you cannot provide him that or anything that falls short of that number, we can assure you we will protect him ourselves. Remember also now, the day we come to the conclusion of protecting President Weah, you can rest assured you won’t go to work. We will call for a national protection day for President Weah and on that day Mr. Boakai you will work from home and not the Executive Mansion.”
He cautioned, “Don’t push us, don’t push us for we have what it takes to make you uncomfortable; go and do the people’s job, we won’t pretend to you, we don’t seek popularity we are action-oriented characters, we will ask the citizens to join us in protecting President WEAH. And the day we come to protect
President WEAH, we won’t leave again, we will protect him till the day we feel comfortable that he’s well protected.”
Koijee noted that when the decision to protect Weah is made, President Boakai will not rest nor work at the Executive Mansion. This is because he said a national protection day will be called for Weah, during which Boakai will work from his residence.
Furthermore, the former Monrovia City Mayor urged President Boakai to focus on serving Liberians, instead of what he sees as causing discomfort in his leadership. He emphasized that the CDC can ensure Boakai’s discomfort if provoked. He rallied Liberians to support CDC in protecting Weah from any perceived threats. He declared that once the decision to safeguard Weah is made, they will persist until they are satisfied with the security measures in place.
