President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has announced an ambitious four-year reform and expansion program for the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), pledging increased recruitment, infrastructure upgrades, enhanced welfare systems, and greater female participation in the military.
Speaking at the 69th Armed Forces Day celebration on Wednesday at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia, President Boakai outlined what he described as a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Liberia’s military capacity in response to evolving security challenges, including drug trafficking and other emerging threats.
The event was held under the theme, “Securing Liberia Together: Strengthening Inter-Agency Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking and Emerging Security Threats.”
As Commander-in-Chief of the AFL, Boakai described the armed forces as “a central pillar of national stability, discipline, and service,” emphasizing that the annual commemoration is both a tribute to military personnel and a platform for charting reforms.
2,400 New Troops by 2029
Central to the President’s announcement is a recruitment drive that will add 600 new personnel annually from 2026 through 2029, bringing a total of 2,400 additional troops into the AFL.
According to Boakai, the expansion aims to address attrition and the aging of the current force while building a “youthful, dynamic, and nationally representative military” capable of handling both conventional and non-traditional security threats.
Security analysts say the move could significantly boost Liberia’s operational capacity, though they note that sustained funding and training standards will be critical to ensuring long-term effectiveness.
Infrastructure and Housing Reforms
The President also pledged renewed investment in military infrastructure, particularly housing.
Following recent renovations at barracks in Margibi and Nimba counties, the government will prioritize restoration and construction projects in Bomi and Maryland counties to reduce overcrowding and improve living conditions for soldiers and their families.
Boakai instructed the Ministers of National Defense, State, and Public Works to conduct immediate assessments and begin renovation or construction where necessary, stressing that adequate housing is essential to troop welfare and readiness.
Focus on Mental Health
In a move reflecting growing global awareness of mental health in the armed forces, the President announced plans to complete and operationalize a mental health facility at the 14 Military Hospital.
The facility is expected to provide specialized psychological and psychosocial services for AFL personnel and also serve the broader Liberian public. Boakai noted that national defense requires not only physical fitness but also mental resilience.
Boosting Female Participation
The reform agenda also includes measures to increase female participation in the AFL, with support from the FS Foundation.
The President framed the initiative as part of a broader push to build a more inclusive and representative military institution.
He said expanding opportunities for women would strengthen the force by incorporating diverse skills and perspectives into national defense structures.
International Partnerships
The ceremony was attended by senior foreign military officials, underscoring Liberia’s defense partnerships.
Boakai commended Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ali Sabu, who delivered the keynote address, for Nigeria’s longstanding support to Liberia’s peace and security efforts.
He also welcomed Major General Thomas D. Wosser and a delegation from the United States National Defense University, describing their presence as evidence of sustained strategic cooperation.
Concluding his address, Boakai called on Liberians to support the armed forces with “the resources, respect, and recognition befitting their service,” underscoring the military’s role in safeguarding the country’s peace and sovereignty.
The reform program marks one of the most significant proposed expansions of the AFL in recent years. Its implementation, however, will likely depend on budgetary allocations and sustained political commitment as Liberia balances security priorities with broader development needs.
