On 25, June, 2024, the High Command of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), disrobed three personnel for conduct not in keeping with the standards of the AFL and in accordance with Section 7.7 (j) of the National Defense Act of 2008.
The discharged personnel included First Lieutenant (1sLt) Abraham Dolo (OF/2017-177); Private First Class (PFC) Kerkula Rocheforte (EN/2015-08/2367); and Private (Pvt) Essa Bility (EN/2022-09/2561).
Discharged 1st Lt. Abraham Dolo enlisted as a Private in 2009, became a Second Lieutenant in 2017, and promoted to First Lieutenant in 2020. He was last assigned to the 23rd Infantry Brigade.
Media reports indicated that in February 2024, a 15-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder by a friend at a local drinking sport in the Baptist Seminary, Paynesville Community, allegedly using Lt. Dolo’s firearm.
According to the reports, Lt. Dolo admitted to the Liberia National Police (LNP) and AFL Military Police that he had been intoxicated and left his firearm unattended while using the restroom.
Other reports had it that, a subsequent medical examination on 1st/Lt Dolo tested him positive with marijuana.
The authority for this discharge is His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Discharged PFC Kerkular Rocheforte enlisted in 2015 and was last assigned to the AFL Engineering Battalion in Gbarnga, Bong County.
PFC Rocheforte was found in possession of 32 wraps of Kush drugs, a deadly illicit substance that has damaging effects on the youth in Liberia. Kush was found with soldier Rocheforte in the Barracks. He was later tested positive for marijuana at the 14 Military Hospital.
The authority for this administrative discharge is the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia.
Discharged Pvt Essa Bility enlisted in October 2022 and was later assigned to the Armed Forces Training Command. Pvt. Bility tested positive for four different illegal substances, including cocaine and marijuana.
The authority for this administrative discharge is the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia.
It can also be recalled that on June 21, 2024, Staff Sergeant Mohammed Rogers was administratively discharged under section 7.7(j) of the National Defense Act of 2008.
The authority for this administrative discharge is the AFL, Chief of Staff.
Indeed, we, at The INDEPENDENT Newspaper, are discouraged and disappointed that some personnel of the AFL have elected to engage in acts which are inimical to the Standard of the AFL and Section 7.7 (j) of the National Defense Act of 2008.
We are also dispirited that such personnel of the AFL would elect to engage in any unprofessional and/or unethical behaviors to not only discredit and disgrace themselves but also undermine and/ or undercut the high-level of respect, trust and integrity that the new Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), currently enjoys at home and abroad as A FORECE FOR GOOD.
We say this simply because the High Command of the AFL has been consistently cautioning and reminding members of the AFL of its “Zero tolerance” policy on drugs abuse and other acts of unprofessionalism.
We think that consistent and uncompromising demonstration of discipline and ethical behaviors by AFL personnel from top-to- bottom, would immensely help in enhancing the hard-earned and increasing public trust in the current Army as a FORCE FOR GOOD.
This is why, we are renewing our plea with all personnel of the AFL as well as other state security personnel to subscribe to the rule of law and professionalism at all times in the performance of their statutory and constitutional duties.
We are also delighted that the AFL High Command and the Ministry of National Defense are working collaboratively in ensuring and enhancing professionalism, trust and integrity in the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Frankly, in this post-war era, the Liberian Nation desires soldiers and other national security personnel with high-sense of professional commitment and dedication to duty, and not individuals whom, for any pecuniary and/or self-serving reasons, would engage in unholy acts that have the potential to unduly undermine the hard-won public trust in the AFL as a FORCE FOR GOOD.
