MONROVIA — The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Honorable Nyomblee Karnga-Lawrence, has constituted a special ad-hoc committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the blocking of all major roads by wives of active-duty Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) officers.

By Henry Karmo henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

The women’s actions impeded movement and undermined Liberia’s fragile peace. Most importantly and seriously, the Pro Tempore added, the committee will investigate the individuals who have authority over the wives and the situation.

Members of the committee include: Sen. Augustine Chea (Sinoe County), Chair; Sen. Amara Konneh (Gbapolu County), Co-Chair; Sen. Darius Dillon (Montserrado County), Member; Sen. James Biney (Sinoe County), Member; Sen. Momo Cyrus (Lofa County), Member; Sen. Dabah Varpilah (Grand Cape-Mount County), Member; Sen. Gble-Gbo Brown (Maryland County), Member; Crayton Duncan (Sinoe County), Member; and Francis Dopoe (River Gee County), Member.

The committee will probe the situation that caused the cancellation of celebrations marking Armed Forces Day, a national event held every year on February 11 to honor the men and women in arms. The committee is mandated to investigate the root cause of the situation and recommend lasting solutions to plenary, which could be translated into policy actions to avoid the recurrence of such embarrassment.

The Committee is expected to submit its report to the Senate.

On Saturday morning, spouses of the soldiers went on a rampage to show their disapproval. They set up roadblocks, held placards with anti-Johnson slogans, and called on President Joseph Boakai to rescind the former Chief of Staff’s nomination for what they termed as inhumane treatment meted out against their husbands by him and his former boss, Ex-Defense Minister Daniel Ziankan.

Major General Johnson (retired) led the army during the administration of President George Weah from 2018 to 2024.

He was nominated by President Boakai to serve as Minister of National Defense. If confirmed by the Liberian Senate, he will replace Daniel Ziankain, who served in the role for the last six years under the past administration.

There was no major protest against the defense minister-designate during his reign as Army Chief of Staff. However, there were reports of disillusionment by some members of the army and their wives over the ‘maltreatment’ meted out against them by General Johnson.

In their petition statement to the Liberian Senate, the women called for his nomination to be rejected, noting that if their demand is not met, there will be no Armed Forces Day celebration this year.

“We, the wives, represent the various military centers including the Camp Tubman Military Barracks in Grand Gedeh County, Gbarnga Military Barracks in Bong County, Todee Military Barracks in Montserrado County, Lofa Military Barracks, Coast Guard and Star Base Military Barracks, the Military Police Barracks at the Smell No Taste, Roberts International Airport, and the home of the 23rd Infantry Brigade, the Edward Beyan Kesseley Military Barracks in Lower Margibi County.”

Rumors are circulating that Margibi County Senator Emmanuel Nuquay has a vested interest in contesting for the position. However, he faces the challenge of rallying his colleagues’ support, as some have openly expressed skepticism about his ambition for the Pro-Temp position.

In contrast to Nuquay, Senator Karnga-Lawrence enters the contest with favorable prospects, enjoying the backing of incoming President Joseph Boakai and the majority of her colleagues in the Senate. There are speculations that President-Elect Joseph Boakai committed to supporting the Grand Bassa County Senator during the campaign, promising his support for her Pro-Temp bid in exchange for her support in his bid for the Presidency, after denying her the opportunity to be his running mate.

Senator Karnga-Lawrence is currently serving her second term as the Bassa Senator and chairs the Rules, Order, and Administration Committee at the Senate. If elected, she will be the second female in the history of the Liberian Senate.

Who is Senator Karnga-Lawrence?

Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence is a two-term Senator and the first female Senator of Grand Bassa County. Born and raised in Liberia, a small country on the west coast of Africa, she has endured significant adversity, including surviving a 15-year civil war that engulfed her homeland.

A renowned women’s rights campaigner and social justice activist, Nyonblee was first elected to the Senate in 2013 and reelected during the 2020 midterm elections.

Throughout her first term, she stood as the only female in a Senate comprising 29 men. Despite facing attempts by male chauvinists in the Senate to distract her, she persisted, earning nicknames such as the “lioness” and the “iron lady of the Senate.”

As Senator, Nyonblee has dedicated her time, energy, and resources to amplify the voices of Liberians, particularly those at the lowest socio-economic levels. She continues to confront powerful forces that threaten the economic and social well-being of the Liberian people.