Armed Forces of Liberia Announces Sergeant Bobby Manndeh’s Apparent Suicide

Monrovia – The High Command of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has announced that one of its soldiers Sergeant Bobby Manndeh allegedly took his own life.

In a statement released by its Public Affairs office, the AFL reported that the incident occurred on Thursday, May 30, at approximately 10:45 PM while Manndeh was on guard duty at the Edward Binyah Kesselly Barracks in Schiefflin, Lower Margibi County. The AFL said it notified the Liberian National Police (LNP), and the Homicide Division promptly arrived at the scene to investigate.

Sergeant Manndeh enlisted in the AFL in 2007 as an infantry soldier and was most recently assigned to Alpha Company, First Battalion, 23rd Infantry Brigade. He served with the last batch (9th) of the AFL Contingent in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali from September 2022 to December 2023.

“Sergeant Manndeh was a disciplined, professional, loyal, and dedicated soldier who served with diligence since his enlistment into the AFL,” the statement read.

The AFL has disclosed that Manndeh’s body is currently at the 14 Military Hospital. Military Police and the LNP Homicide Division are conducting further investigations. “The High Command of the AFL extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and calls on the public to remain calm as the investigation continues,” the AFL further said.

While suicides in the army are not common, this incident echoes a similar case from February 2021 involving Melvin Early, an Executive Protection Service (EPS) agent. Early reportedly shot himself in Tappita, Nimba County, while on presidential duty during then-President George Weah’s county-wide tour. The EPS stated that Early shot himself at about 6:03 AM on Friday, February 19, 2021. However, Early’s family contested this report, alleging foul play.