The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Liberia, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, has urged the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to uphold the rule of law as they progress in rebranding the institution to regain the trust of the public.
He made the assertion on Monday, October 28, 2024 at the program marking the start of a three-day legal conference on AFL Legal Justice System, held under the theme: “Military Justice and the rule of law” held at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) in Monrovia.
Minister Tweh said the AFL has lost its trust during Liberia’s 14 years of civil unrest, citing that the Liberian soldiers must re-establish the trust from the people because without trust, the AFL will not perform its duty adequately.
He noted that there will always be the spirit of apprehension, citing that the public can at least admit to the fact that the AFL is doing a good job in regaining the trust of the population.
The Attorney General urged the Judge Advocate General of the AFL not to only advise and defend the Army but to also prosecute soldiers who violate the rule of law and fail to adhere to the rules and regulations.
“We are happy that you started to train lawyers to represent you and implement your rule of law and also to advise the military high command. Your task is huge but from your performance, and implementations under the rule of law, the rebranding in the Army that we look for will be on par,” Minister Tweh noted.
He, at the same time, noted that AFL Personnel are no longer ordinary citizens, citing that they live under special rules and system, their deportment are different and respecting the rule of law is paramount and that has to be instilled in all members of the army.
The Attorney General of Liberia assured the AFL of the Ministry of Justice’s fullest support to the AFL in its endeavors as they are progressing in rebranding the AFL as a force for good.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of the Army Forces of Liberia, General Davison F. Forleh, has vowed that under his Stewardship as Chief of Staff, the AFL remains committed to upholding the rule of law and discipline, stressing that any soldier or personnel coming in conflict with the rule of law will face the full weight of the law.
“We are forging to be a better AFL, and the rule of law is the foundation of justice, ensuring that the power is exercised lawfully with transparency and accountability.”
“It can be understood that no one is better than others, and today the AFL is proud of four Attorneys-at-law and with these statistics it shows that we are on the right path for the launching of AFL Court Marshall in keeping with our constitution,” General Forleh asserted.
Source: LINA