Africa-Press – Liberia. The Government of Liberia has paid 1.4 million United States dollars to a company in Cameroon to facilitate the shipment of military equipment valued at 20 million United States dollars. The equipment was donated to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) by the African Union.
The disclosure was made by the Chief of Staff of the AFL, Major General Davidson Forleh, at a ceremony held Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia. The program marked the official activation of the First Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and the AFL Signal Company.
According to Major General Forleh, the Cameroonian shipping company has confirmed receipt of the funds, and arrangements are underway to deliver the equipment to Liberia.
“I’ll be traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, for the African Union Chiefs of Staff Conference later this week, and immediately after, I will head to Cameroon to facilitate the shipment process,” General Forleh told attendees at the event.
The activation of the First Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and the Signal Company marks a significant step in enhancing the AFL’s operational readiness. The battalion will be tasked with conducting ground and aerial surveillance, gathering critical intelligence, and providing rapid response to emerging threats.
Speaking at the event, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Jadoe, Assistant Chief of Staff of the AFL, referred to the soldiers in the two newly launched units as pioneers. He noted that the integration of armored and communication capacities within the AFL represents a new dimension in the army’s operational doctrine.
“These units will play a vital role in reinforcing national defense by providing timely reconnaissance and intelligence to support decision-making during operations,” Jadoe said.
Senior officials of the Ministry of National Defense and high-ranking AFL officers attended the activation ceremony. Among them was Deputy Minister for Administration, Augustus Larmin, who used the occasion to recognize the AFL’s growing reputation in international peacekeeping.
Minister Larmin revealed that the United Nations and the Federal Republic of Germany had commended the AFL for its role in missions, particularly in Mali.
“The Federal Republic of Germany and members of the United Nations have expressed their appreciation for the AFL’s efforts, especially given that our army is still in its rebuilding phase after years of conflict,” he said.
On behalf of President Joseph Boakai, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Minister Larmin pledged the government’s commitment to further equip and support the military.
“On behalf of the President, I assure you that all will be done to provide the AFL with the necessary logistics and equipment to execute its statutory duties,” he stated.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
