AYV News, February 12, 2025
As Liberia marked the 68th anniversary of its Armed Forces Day, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone delivered a keynote address, urging the men and women of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to remain above politics and steadfast in their commitment to the Constitution and democratic governance.
His words carried weight, not only as a sitting head of state but as a former soldier who has seen firsthand the perils of military intervention in political affairs.
“Uphold the rule of law. Defend constitutional governance. Remain above politics, and let your loyalty be to the people, the Constitution, and the democratic institutions that form the foundation of this great nation,” President Bio admonished AFL officers, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps.
The theme of this year’s Armed Forces Day is: “Sustainable Peace and Security through Stakeholder’s Engagement: The Role of the Armed Forces.”
President Bio’s called for the military to remain apolitical is particularly significant in West Africa, a region where military coups and unconstitutional changes of government have resurfaced in recent years.
From Mali to Guinea and Burkina Faso, the military’s involvement in politics has often led to instability rather than progress.
Liberia’s own history serves as a stark reminder. The 1980 military coup that toppled the Tolbert administration, the subsequent civil wars, and the long struggle to rebuild democratic institutions have cemented a national consensus: military interference in governance is a path to destruction.
But, President Bio’s message was clear Liberia’s armed forces must resist any temptation to be drawn into political disputes.
“History has shown us that when the military aligns with democratic values, nations prosper; when it deviates, societies falter,” he warned.
In the years since Liberia emerged from war, the AFL has worked hard to rebuild its reputation as a professional, disciplined force under civilian authority.
With the restructuring of the military after the 2003 peace agreement, the AFL was built from the ground up with an emphasis on merit-based recruitment, training, and strict adherence to democratic principles.
Beyond Liberia, President Bio highlighted the role of national armies in ensuring regional peace and stability.
Sierra Leone, like Liberia, has experienced the horrors of war and the painstaking journey to rebuild a nation; in addition, both countries have had civil war experience, running down the regime of ex-President Charles Taylor.
The two countries now share not just a border but a common commitment to democracy and regional security, particularly through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).
“In a world where democracy is constantly challenged by forces of division, conflict, and instability, I charge you, the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces of Liberia, to stand firm as guardians of the democratic order,” President Bio emphasised.
