Shallon S. Gonlor / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, LIBERIA — Scores of citizens and residents of Nimba, including CSOs have expressed deep concern over the recent fight between state security officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
The incident occurred on February 26, 2025, raising concerns about the professionalism and sustaining the fragile peace of Liberia.
Phoning on Radio Nimba’s “Everyday Talkshow” on Thursday, the concerned Nimbaians described the actions as a dangerous step that fuels further division in Liberia and derails ongoing efforts toward peace, stability law, and order.
‘We call for these actions to be reversed and urge the LNP and AFL to put the unity and national interests of Liberia above all other considerations.”
The citizens, calling via telephone Thursday across the county warned that the LNP and AFL’s move threatened the country’s fragile peace after two civil wars that saw the displacement of hundreds of thousands of citizens, especially women and children.
They stressed that Liberia’s fragile peace is being threatened by tensions arising from state security forces, power struggles, political differences, and others.
According to the citizens, Liberia has faced decades of devastating instability and conflict experienced in brutal civil wars in the late 20th century that left hundreds of thousands of people dead and displaced.
In 2003, the conflicts ended with the signing of a peace agreement and the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping mission.
“The fragile peace that currently exists in Liberia is the result of years of negotiations and international intervention. The country’s last civil war ended in 2003, but the scars of the conflict remain” they asserted.
Voicing out their frustration, the citizens expressed concern that Liberia has a long history of civil war and political instability, noting that the country is not prepared to see its citizens be displaced.
There are also concerns about the ability of Liberia’s security forces to maintain law and order, particularly in the face of persistent challenges such as corruption, organized crime, and youth unemployment.
Among many of the citizens concerned is Melvin Walker, a resident of Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
Mr. Walker provided an insight, saying it is important to hold every security institution accountable for the actions, demanding fairness in how the incidents reportedly occurred.
According to him, the LNP has a history of misconduct that has gone unaddressed, including excessive use of force, wrongful arrests, and brutality against ordinary citizens.
He alleged that from past protest crackdowns to arbitrary beatings of civilians, the police’s track record in Liberia is not without controversy.
He said numerous peaceful demonstrations in Liberia have ended in violent police crackdowns, with officers using tear gas and batons indiscriminately.
Walker noted that Liberians have been detained without due process, often for merely expressing their rights.
“The LNP has repeatedly been accused of soliciting bribes from motorists and businesses, further undermining public trust in law enforcement,” he said.
Walker stressed that Liberia has a fair share of discipline issues within both the AFL and among civilians, but this does not give the police the right to provoke or mishandle situations, which can escalate into something beyond control.
“If the LNP is not held accountable for its actions, we may soon face more severe issues that threaten national security,” Walker stated.
However, Walker is calling on the government, the media, and all citizens to demand transparency. “Let us stop the selective outrage and instead push for justice and accountability across all institutions. Liberia deserves fair policing, responsible military conduct, and honest reporting,” he concluded.
At the same time, a civil society organization, Transparency Reliance to Unify Equal Life (TRUE-LIFE) has strongly condemned the violent confrontation.
In a press release, TRUE-LIFE said the incident posed a significant threat to the peace and stability of Liberia and undermined the efforts to build a secure and democratic society. “Such actions risk returning the country to its dark days of internal strife and insecurity,” it said.
The institution noted with serious concern the confrontation between the two state security forces designated to protect citizens and the state as a violation of the Liberian Constitution, the National Defense Act, and the Liberia National Police Act.
Under Article 6 of the Liberian Constitution, the primary duty of the Armed Forces of Liberia is to protect the country against external threats, not to engage in civilian law enforcement activities or internal force.
The National Defense Act of 2009, specifically Chapter 1, Section 3, clearly states that the AFL’s role is limited to national defense and shall not engage in domestic law enforcement functions unless under the authority of the government.
“By intervening in a domestic law enforcement matter, the AFL has overstepped its constitutional mandate,” TRUE-LIFE said.
Commenting further, the CSO body emphasized that the Liberia National Police Act of 2015, specifically Chapter 2, Section 3, mandated the LNP to maintain law and order, protect citizens, and enforce the law within the borders of Liberia. “The LNP is the sole authority for law enforcement within Liberia, and any interference with this responsibility undermines the rule of law and violates the principles of democratic governance,” it noted.
This attack, according to TRUE-LIFE represents a grave breach of the Constitution and the specific legal provisions that govern both the AFL and LNP.
The CSO group added that the fear generated by such actions among the citizens is palpable, as it signals a lack of coordination, professionalism, and discipline within the security institutions of the country.
“This situation threatens the public’s confidence in their security forces and risks destabilizing Liberia’s peace, especially in light of the country’s fragile post-conflict status and the ability to scare investors in the country.”
In light of these violations, TRUE-LIFE calls upon the Government of Liberia, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of National Defense, and the National Security Council to:
1. Immediately launch an independent investigation to determine the causes and those responsible for this attack, ensuring full accountability.
2. Strengthen inter-agency coordination and respect for the rule of law to prevent further incidents of this nature.
3. Take decisive action to reassure the public and restore confidence in the country’s security forces, ensuring that such breaches of authority and misconduct do not occur again.
The group is however calling on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, political leaders, and the international community, to support efforts leading to resolving the situation peacefully and to guard against any actions that could destabilize Liberia’s democratic gains and peace in the future.
“At this critical juncture, TRUE-LIFE reiterates its commitment to promoting peace, transparency, education, civic engagement and good governance. We call on our citizens to remain calm and trust the legal institutions and processes to address this matter appropriately,” the CSO body asserted.
It concluded that it should be the responsibility of all Liberians to protect Liberia’s peace and safeguard the rule of law—the foundation of a prosperous, secure, and democratic nation for all.
