Monrovia – On Friday, July 14, at Gate T69 at Brussels International Airport in Belgium was a scene of excitement as nine members of the Armed Forces of Liberia, waited to board their Brussels Airline flight for sweet-home Liberia after completing their studies under the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Liberia bilateral relations.
Liberia continues to make progress in its post-war recovery with support from friendly countries as nine members of the Armed Forces of Liberia have completed training in their various areas and have returned home.
The AFL personnel included Capt. George F. Montgomery II, who graduated from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) University of Science and Technology with emphasis in Computer Networking and Networking Security.
Ensign/Lt. Dickson Agbo and PO-3 Prince Andrew studied diving at the Naval Submarine Academy of China while Sgt. Romeo Pajibo completed his studied in Automotive Engineering at the PLA Tianjin Foreign University.
Cpl. Edwin T. Williams and Sgt. Sonnie Kpadeh attained certificates in Military Transportation from Tianjin Transportation University. (Sgt. Sonnie Kpadeh was the lone female among the returnees).
Sgt. Foday Freeman obtained certification in Communication Equipment Maintenance Engineering at the PLA University of Science and Technology while Sgt. Keah Michael Nyan attained certification in Automotive Engineering from Tianjin Transportation University. The soldiers expressed satisfaction for the training and said they were delighted to return home to contribute to Liberia’s development.
“These opportunities are strategically intended to increase the human and technical capacities of Liberians in all disciplines in the Armed Forces of Liberia under the dynamic leadership of Minister Brownie Samukai and the government under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,” Capt. Montgomery, said.
“As a Liberian, we must join hands in extending congratulatory messages to these brave men and women of the AFL for the courage to not only bear arms to protect and defend this Republic but to academically empower themselves for careers after post military service,” said an excited Liberian at the airport.
The returning soldiers extended thanks and appreciation to “our bilateral partners, including the government and people of the People Republic of China for extending such opportunity to Liberians,” he said.
“We also must thank President Sirleaf for her support to empower personnel of the AFL.”
Report by Duannah Siryon