Monrovia – Liberia’s Ministry of National Defense has reacted sharply to contention by the Senate Committee Chair on Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs Steven H. Zargo, that wrongly-placed managers are placed at the head of some security institutions; describing them as ‘square pegs in round holes’.
Assistant Defense Minister for Public Affairs David Dahn told FrontPage Africa that Senator Zargo’s assertion undermines the gains made by the Liberian Security forces over the years.
Senator Zargo told a gathering of law enforcers this week that there is shortage of manpower to satisfy the departure of UNMIL, while at the same time pointing to logistical support and wrongly placing managers at head of some security institutions.
“The required man-power needed to satisfy the departure of UNMIL has not been met. Most time, we hear the old-age excuse of budgetary constraints which we believe to a certain extent is factual.
Armed Forces of Liberia, the Liberian National Police and the Liberia Immigration Service are yet to reach their targeted strength projected for UNMIL drawdown. In addition to the manpower shortage, the logistical constraints are also glaring coupled with wrongly-placed managers at head of some of these security institutions, ‘round pegs in square holes’ Said Zargo.
The Lofa County Senator further indicated that by rough calculation, every position previously occupied by UNMIL should in the face of the UNMIL drawdown be re-occupied by what he terms as elements of the Liberian Security Apparatus.
Senator Zargo stated, “As contained in the Liberia National Police and Immigration Service Act of 2016, steps in line with international best practices should be taken to ensure that law enforcement in particular and security operations in general should be done in line with international accepted principles”.
But Minister Dahn noted that the assertion is not in the right direction, since the Senate in particular is clothed with the authority of confirming Presidential nominees and should use their authority to correct the wrongs rather than criticize officials who have already been entrusted.
“I take serious exceptions to the statement made by Senator Zargo that heads of security apparatus are round pegs in square holes. They are responsible for confirmation but are seeing the wrong people and yet trusting them to serve these positions. I think it is a disservice to the security force of Liberia,” Minister Dahn averred.
The Defense official said the Armed Forces of Liberia, like other security apparatus in the country has demonstrated its meaningful contribution in ensuring that the welfare of Liberia is secure, admonishing Senator Zargo to acknowledge the work done so far by security personnel.
Though the Assistant Defense admitted that there are lapses and constraints existing within the security sector, he registered that they can only be tackled if the requisite support is provided; coupled with Lawmakers’ willingness to corroborate qualified individuals to head security institutions.
Mr. Dahn, at the same time boasts that the Armed Forces of Liberia is prepared to handle the security of Liberia in collaboration with other security apparatus as UNMIL drawdown is already ongoing.
Dahn said, there are Coast Guard personnel currently patrolling along Liberia’s coastal boundaries to ensure that there is outside interference and protecting them from pirates’ attack.
According to him, the Freeport of Monrovia, Buchanan, Harper and Greenville are already under full security and surveillance protection from potential terrorists and illegal activities.
Already, Liberia National Security Council Secretariat has finalized arrangements with UNMIL for the training of the County Security Councils in Bomi, Margi and Grand Bassa, a process expected to be finalized this month. The training is aimed at benefiting 171 participants including chiefs, elders, youth, women, commissioners and prominent citizens.
Waldemar Vrey, Deputy Special Representatives to the Secretary General for Rule of Law of UNMIL has meanwhile expressed satisfaction over the level of security deployment in the various counties across Liberia, stating that information surrounding UNMIL leaving Liberia completely is not true.
“Let me say something straight here that there continues to be misunderstanding particularly with our media friends who are saying that drawdown means leaving, no that’s not what it means, drawdown means we are reducing our sides and we will wait for the next step before the decision is taken, yet we are turning over the security transition to the Liberian Government on the 30th of June”, Mr. Vrey intoned.
According to the UN Envoy, UNMIL has been working on a time-table for security institutions across Liberia, considering their (security apparatus) readiness to administer activities in the country while at the same time; recommendations will be put forth to the UN Security Council for an onward decision by December this year relative to UNMIL stay or departure from the Liberia.
Mr. Vrey named rule of law, security and reconstruction as key areas earmark by UNMIL in its transition plan already being work out with the Ministry of Justice saying, “even if UNMIL goes, you are going to have the UN Agencies with you working in several areas in seeking support for the Liberian Government but you need to take security as your own priority”.
Meanwhile, the UNMIL Deputy Special Representatives to the Secretary General for Rule of Law warned Liberian Security personnel against the use of force but to create an atmosphere in finding solutions to critical issues.
Willie N. Tokpah/[email protected]