— Ex-AFL Captain Warns Politicians
Marshall, Lower Margibi -A former Captain of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Jerry K. Kollie, has warned politicians to refrain from politicizing the security and safety of the country.
Speaking Wednesday, February 11, 2026, during the celebration of Armed Forces Day, Captain Kollie cautioned that politicizing security decision-making is a recipe for disloyalty and patronage, which are all factors that breed instability and retard national progress.
Liberians both at home and abroad joined the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and other personnel of the security sector to celebrate Armed Forces Day on Wednesday, amid captivating speeches, grand parades, recognitions and decorations, to honor the sacrifices and contributions of men and women of the AFL.
Speaking to journalists in Paynesville shortly after the official Armed Forces Day program ended at the Barclay Training Center, Captain Kollie also called for the utilization of trained, skillful and physically fit members of the veteran community in the agriculture and infrastructure sectors of Liberia.
He maintained that the country invested enormous resources in thousands of men and women of the army and other security institutions, from diverse disciplines and professional backgrounds, both at home and reputable foreign domiciles, and many of them are still useful to the state in various capacities, in agriculture, road construction, the fight against drugs, and security consultancy, among others.
Kollie warned that the neglect and abandonment of ex-security personnel who made sacrifices for the country in different roles, is a threat to national security and a disincentive for young people to sign off for service in the security sector, adding that the fall of the dry leaf is a warning to the green one.
He emphasized that some members of the veteran community are still useful in active and advisory roles in construction, mechanical and medical work, agriculture and intelligence.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 marked the 69th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day and was celebrated at the Barclay Training Center (BTC), under the theme: “SECURING LIBERIA TOGETHER: STRENGTHENING INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING AND EMERGING SECURITY THREATS.”
The presidential proclamation issued for the celebration, is in consonance with an Act of the Legislation of the Republic of Liberia, declaring the 11th day of February of each year as Armed Forces Day to be observed as a national holiday.
The proclamation stressed that the Armed Forces Day celebration is also in recognition of the role the Armed Forces of Liberia plays in protecting the country’s territorial integrity and participating in the structural and social transformation of the country.
