UNMIL Security Advisor Says 700 Nigerian Soldiers on Ground

Monrovia – In the wake of security concerns after the United Nations Mission in Liberia officially turned over security to the Government of  Liberia on July 1, the security Advisor to the UN mission says up to 700 Nigerian soldiers are still in the country to provide security in case of any conflict.

Report by Mae Azango – [email protected]

“Security responsibilities were transferred to government on July 1, 2016, but if there is a threat in terms of war, we will step in and help the government in stabilizing the situation, because our main concern is the protection of the civilian population.

Or UNMIL will only intervene if there is a threat of strategic reversal to peace and security in Liberia or a serious threat to civilians,” says Michael Page, Security Sector Reform Advisor and Rule of Law.

Speaking at a Cater Center Peace Building Workshop organized by Peace Ambassador Rev. William Tolbert, III in collaboration with the Press Union of Liberia, Mr. Page revealed that UNMIL has cut down from eight to three Form Police Unit (FPU) and from three infantry battalions to one Battalion, but says if there is any conflict, UNMIL will quickly intervene to put the situation under control.  

“If there is a threat coming from Liberian security to civilian, we will step in, because it is part of our mandate. Or any threat to civilians, not threats that the Liberian National Police (LNP) can control, but a threat beyond Liberian security.

So, we are keeping our eyes on things at the moment if something is to happen. We still have the 700 Nigerian troops here in Montserrado, because we still have the missiles bearing Helicopters in Ivory Coast, that we can pull over if the need be,”  Mr. Page further said.

He said the only reason why UNMIL is drawing down is because Liberia can control the peace process, but UNMIL cannot continue to remain in Liberia.

“We won’t be leaving if we knew there are threats, but we cannot stay here forever,” He said.

On whether UNMIL will remain in Liberia until elections, Mr. Page said he cannot preempt his bosses, but he thinks UNMIL will be in Liberia for the elections. According to him, he sees Liberia as a peaceful country compared to other African countries he had served in.  

“I have been shot at four or five times in other African Countries, because of my color and race, but I can walk freely in Liberia without being robbed or shot at. Other African countries, I will be shot on because I am a white man or robbed because of the perception that white people are rich.”

Speaking on other issues regarding UNMIL, Page said in September 2016 UN Headquarters will send a strategic Assessment team to UNMIL to consult with stakeholders about the future of the Mission.

He promised that the international community generally and the UN specifically will remain supportive to the peace building process of Liberia.

Serving as facilitator at the two day workshop, Prof. S.K. Duworko spoke on the topic, the Peace process and consolidation, while Mr. Jens Kristensen spoke on the role of UNMIL Peace Building.

Daily Observer Managing Editor Mr. Kenneth Y. Best also spoke on the Role of Media in Emerging Democracies.

Providing a historical perspective, Mr. Best spoke about the Liberia Herald Newspaper being the first Newspaper published in 1927 before further speaking on the time of the Crozierville Observer that later became the Daily Observer.

He also spoke about Albert Porte, the pamphleteer, who spoke harshly against President C.D.B. King Administration, because a newspaper was silenced for speaking against King, so other newspapers were afraid to do the same. And he went on to talk about Tubman Administration and other past issues in the press.