Monrovia — A group of former and incoming staff members associated with newly appointed Acting Minister of Defense Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh has mounted a strong defense of the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, rejecting Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe’s decision to oppose Tweh’s confirmation.
The group’s response comes after Senator Snowe, a ranking member of the Liberian Senate, announced that he would vote against Tweh if his nomination comes before the Senate when lawmakers return from their current break.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai recently reassigned Tweh from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Defense as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle.
Snowe, in a Facebook post, criticized Tweh’s tenure as Minister of Justice, accusing him of contributing to the politicization of Liberia’s justice system.
The Bomi County senator said Tweh’s record raised concerns about his suitability to lead an institution responsible for the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
“I will vote against his confirmation,” Snowe declared.
According to Snowe, Tweh’s tenure at the Justice Ministry “too often reflected political considerations” rather than the provision of independent and objective legal advice to the government.
He further warned that leadership at the Defense Ministry must protect the professionalism, discipline and political neutrality of the military.
“The military is one of our most sensitive national institutions and must remain professional, disciplined, apolitical, and firmly committed to its constitutional responsibilities,” Snowe wrote.
He argued that any leadership that could introduce politics into the military could threaten its cohesion, professionalism and institutional integrity.
Snowe said his opposition was not personal but based on his assessment of Tweh’s public record and his constitutional responsibility as a senator.
“I do not believe Cllr. Tweh’s record as Minister of Justice inspires the confidence necessary for this responsibility,” he said.
Tweh Supporters Reject Snowe’s Claims
But the group defending Tweh has strongly rejected Snowe’s characterization of the former Justice Minister’s tenure, describing the senator’s allegations as exaggerated, unsupported and potentially damaging to Tweh’s reputation.
The group said it was particularly concerned by Snowe’s claim that Tweh “politicized” the Justice Ministry and could potentially “contaminate” the Defense Ministry by politicizing the Armed Forces of Liberia.
It accused the senator of making serious allegations without providing evidence.
“What we find interesting is that, among the many things he cited, the Senator’s major claim is that the former Minister of Justice ‘politicized’ the Ministry of Justice, and therefore he is unfit to lead the Ministry of Defense,” the group said.
The statement argued that Snowe cited no independent studies, authoritative sources or empirical data to substantiate his allegation.
The group also challenged Snowe to present his evidence during Tweh’s confirmation hearing rather than making what it described as a public case against the nominee through social media.
Defense Group Challenges Snowe on Military Authority
The group also disputed Snowe’s suggestion that Tweh could use the military against political opponents if confirmed as Defense Minister.
According to the group, such an argument demonstrates a misunderstanding of the operational structure of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
It argued that the Defense Minister primarily exercises civilian administrative and policy leadership, while the military’s operational affairs fall under the authority of the Chief of Staff.
The group specifically pointed to Major General Davidson Fayiah Forleh, Chief of Staff of the AFL, as responsible for the day-to-day operational affairs of the military.
It maintained that the country’s defense structure, including the role of the military leadership, is governed by the 2008 National Defense Act.
The group further argued that Liberia’s military has undergone significant professionalization since the end of the civil war and the signing of the Accra Peace Agreement.
It said the AFL has evolved from its wartime history into a professional force with specialized units and greater adherence to rules of engagement, international law and military standards.
The statement also highlighted the role of international partners, particularly the United States, in Liberia’s Security Sector Reform process.
According to the group, international investment and oversight make it unlikely that the AFL would be transformed into a political force for any government official.
‘Tweh Upholds Rule of Law’
The group also defended Tweh’s record as Justice Minister, arguing that his commitment to applying the law without political favoritism may have contributed to the criticism against him.
It accused Snowe of implicitly advocating selective justice by objecting to the prosecution or legal treatment of politically influential individuals.
“The erstwhile Minister of Justice and now-appointed Minister of Defense refused to play by those rules but upheld legal sanctity,” the group said.
The supporters argued that Tweh’s legal background and experience make him qualified to lead the Defense Ministry.
They specifically highlighted his legal education at Harvard Law School and his years of legal practice.
“As someone who obtained his degree from Harvard Law School, Minister Tweh, more than anyone else, knows that the legitimacy of any law in any national jurisdiction is based on impartial application,” the group said.
Call for Senate Confirmation
The group is now urging the Liberian Senate to reject Snowe’s objections and confirm Tweh when his nomination reaches the chamber.
It described Tweh as “supremely capable, competent, and morally upright” and said his leadership could strengthen civil-military relations and improve conditions for members of the AFL.
The group said Tweh, if confirmed, would prioritize the welfare of military personnel, modernization of the armed forces and improvements to social services at military barracks.
It also said his leadership could improve conditions for military families and strengthen the broader relationship between Liberia’s civilian authorities and its armed forces.
“We, therefore, thank the President for the appointment of Minister Tweh,” the group concluded.
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