MONROVIA – Liberia’s defense minister, Maj. Gen. Prince Charles Johnson, has resigned his position, citing the civil and political disobediences occasioned by the protests of women believed to be wives of the men in arms.
By Selma Lomax & Jahiem T. Tumu
Maj. Gen. Johnson said he took the decision to preserve the peace and security of the country.
The protests staged by the wives and widows of AFL personnel reportedly forced President Joseph Boakai to cancel the celebrations of the Armed Forces Day on Monday in an apparent attempt to calm the situation.
Since his elevation as minister of defense, a string of protests have trailed Maj. Gen. Johnson’s appointment by President Boakai, with the latest being the blocking of the Roberts International Airport and other major highways across the country.
Busy highway blocked
The ever-busy Roberts International Airport was blocked, halting vehicular movements as both commercial and private vehicles could neither come in from Bida nor move out.
Also, vehicles coming from Bong Mines Bridge to Monrovia were also trapped and could not enter the town freely for several hours.
The Ganta – Monrovia highway was completely blocked as passengers were also trapped.
Consequently, traders and resident Logan Town and Caldwell areas had difficulties accessing their destinations.
In Margibi County, protesters barricaded the main road leading to the Roberts International Airport, leaving travelers departing the country at risk of missing out on their flights as the result of the barricade in front the barracks, chanting anti-Johnson slogans.
One of the protesters , who did not state her name, threatened that the next protest would be at the house of Maj. Gen. Johnson.
Another, Madam Doris Yeakie, a cleaner at the 14 Military hospital, said she had worked for the hospital for three-year without salary.
She called for Maj. Gen. Johnson’s dismissal because he “does not represent the interest of the soldiers and their families.”
