AFL Veterans Demand Back Pay, Pension Increase

More than 1,000 Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) veterans are demanding 36 years of salary arrears, higher pensions, and a legislative inquiry into the disbandment of the former military, citing decades of alleged financial neglect.

Led by their national chairman and commander, retired Captain William Phillip Anderson, the veterans said the gathering was part of a constitutional process to seek redress for grievances arising from the disbandment of the former AFL.

“The disbandment of the former Armed Forces of Liberia affected thousands of soldiers and their families. We want the government to address the unresolved grievances and concerns arising from that decision”, Capt. Anderson noted.

They disclosed preparing to petition the National Legislature under Article 91 of the Liberian Constitution, seeking an independent review of their claims and legislative action.

Anderson argued that the disbandment adversely affected thousands of former soldiers and their families, leaving many struggling with unresolved financial claims and concerns over their civil rights.

He maintained that the expiration of the applicable limitation period in 2025 had opened the way for the veterans to pursue their demands through constitutional means.

A central demand is the payment of 36 years of alleged salary arrears, which Anderson said should be calculated according to each veteran’s former military rank and salary structure.

He alleged that changes in the country’s currency and military payroll arrangements undermined the value of soldiers’ original United States dollar earnings, leaving questions about whether the government owes outstanding compensation.

Anderson estimated that claims for lower-ranking soldiers could begin at approximately US$25,000 per individual, depending on their former salaries and the calculation applied.

However, he acknowledged that the total potential liability would depend on the number of eligible beneficiaries, their respective ranks, and the outcome of a comprehensive verification process.

The government’s potential financial obligation remains undetermined.

Beyond salary arrears, the veterans are demanding increased pensions and amendments to the Veterans Act to strengthen their legal recognition, welfare, and participation in national development.

Anderson also proposed amendments to the Defense Act requiring the defense minister, deputy and assistant defense ministers, and directors within the Ministry of National Defense to be former military personnel.

Captain Jerry Kerkula Kollie officials Spokesman of the institutions wants veterans appointed as national security advisers and military attachés at Liberian diplomatic missions.

The veterans are also seeking opportunities to contribute their military, engineering, medical, and agricultural expertise to national development, including assisting the AFL and immigration authorities with border protection, Kollie added.

He also argued that properly utilizing their skills would allow the country to benefit from the experience of former soldiers while improving security and supporting reconstruction initiatives.

Questions surrounding the accuracy of government records of former soldiers also featured prominently in the veterans’ demands.

He alleged that some former soldiers had been excluded from previous documentation and called for independent verification of existing records and payroll arrangements.

Kollie further noted that the group was compiling its own database to establish the number of eligible veterans and beneficiaries, prevent duplication, and provide a reliable basis for calculating claims.

According to him, his official roster lists approximately 17,800 living veterans, while the number could rise to about 28,000 when widows and other beneficiaries are documented.

He said the nationwide verification process would continue ahead of the planned submission of the petition to the National Legislature next Tuesday, October 20, 2026.