The Government of Liberia has launched an investigation into the recent altercation between the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the Liberia National Police (LNP), Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, has disclosed. Speaking during MICAT’s regular press briefing on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Monrovia, Minister Piah expressed grave concern over the incident, describing it as unacceptable and a potential threat to national peace and stability. He confirmed that a joint security team, including the Chief of Staff of the AFL and the Inspector General of Police, has been mandated to investigate the matter thoroughly. The government said it takes this situation seriously and the necessary security agencies have been instructed to investigate what transpired, Minister Piah stated. He emphasized that Liberia has come a long way from its dark past of civil conflict and the government, alongside international partners, has invested heavily in maintaining peace and stability. “We cannot allow individuals or groups to derail the peace we are currently enjoying as a nation,” he asserted. Reports indicate that AFL soldiers, trained for combat, were seen chasing police officers as far as the ELWA Market in Paynesville. Their actions reportedly disrupted traffic and public movement, creating panic among residents. Witnesses described the incident as reckless and a clear display of indiscipline within the ranks of the military. Minister Piah warned that such behavior from the AFL could pose a serious security threat if left unchecked. “We cannot accept a situation where soldiers abandon their barracks to attack police officers in the streets, instill fear among civilians and disrupt public order. He further stressed that the military must operate within the rule of law and remain a pillar of national security rather than a source of instability. Meanwhile, in a separate development, Minister Piah announced that the government has commissioned a new water facility in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County to provide safe drinking water to residents who have long relied on creeks for survival. “This is not about politics, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is committed to the well-being of all Liberians, regardless of their political affiliations,” he stated.
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