By Kruah Thompson
The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has begun a five-day seminar or commend post and a joint training exercise for all national security agencies aimed at ensuring that Liberians are led to a free and transparent election void of violence in the 2023 general and presidential elections.
The seminar was launched on Monday, 1 November 2021 under the theme: Coordination and Inter-operation of the Forces Training During Electioneering Period, and will end on 5 November.
Speaking at the seminar, Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) Chairperson Cllr. Dempster Brown disclosed that all of the actors who are supposed to work with the National Elections Commission (NEC) were assembled to discuss ways forward in helping to reduce electoral tension in 2023.
Cllr. Brown said it is a unique opportunity for the actors to meet, discuss and dialogue on issues that will prepare them for the upcoming challenge.
According to him, the Liberia National Security architecture states that the police are the first line of defense, noting that before calling on the military, there are rules of engagement or operation procedure involved.
Cllr. Brown explained that when the military is coming to do civil work, their role has to be spelled out in a way and manner that will not transgress people’s rights.
Additionally, INCHR Commissioner Mr. Pandora Anderson said security institutions are among the duty-bearers in the practice of human rights in the country, urging that security institutions must ensure that people enjoy the exercise of human rights.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
“That is while the Inspector General of the National Police should be the [busiest] person. His role is to ensure that his officers on the street are doing what is always right and on time,” said Mr. Anderson.
“So you have to know who you are deploying and they should have the basic knowledge and understanding about what they are to do or how they are going to do them,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Anderson and members of the National Security clashed over miss information and the failure to verify the information before presenting it to the public.
It was resolved that both institutions work together to ensure the safety of the state.
The Liberian National Police and the Armed Forces of Liberia also presented on their role to protect the State.https://thenewdawnliberia.com/afl-considers-joint-exercise-with-neighboring-countries/–Edited by Winston W. Parley
