MONROVIA, Montserrado – The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Brigadier General Daniel Ziankhan, says over the last year, the force has delved into more areas of specialization as it continues to uphold the national security objectives of Liberia.

Ziankhan was nominated as Chief of Staff in 2014 by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He succeeded the late Nigerian Gen. Suraj Alao Abdurrahman, who was appointed by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Ziankhan became the first Liberian to head the army after the end of the civil war.

AFL Chief of Staff Daniel Ziankhan. Photo: Armed Forces of Liberia

In his Armed Forces Day celebration message, Ziankhan said the force is now actively involved in disposing of unexploded remnants of war that are found around Liberia.

He said the AFL is also actively involved in road construction and infrastructural rehabilitation in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Works, previously a responsibility of the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

AFL Engineering Battalion Carries out Road Rehabilitation. Photo: Armed Forces of Liberia

Additionally, Ziankhan explained that the AFL has conducted assessments of works for reconstruction of barracks in Lofa and Grand Gedeh counties as part of UNMIL’s quick impact projects, adding that “the reconstruction of these barracks would aid the deployment of troops around the country.”

He said the Liberian Coast Guard’s capacity has also been improved to better patrol the country’s coastal assets, noting that the recent acquisition of more patrol crafts donated by the United States government has also seen the establishment of a forward operation base in Buchanan.

Ziankhan maintained that the force had a prosperous past year in manpower development and equipment handling, which improved the skillset and capacity of the men and women to handle national security and infrastructural development in line with the Liberian constitutional duties.

AFL personnel. Photo: Armed Forces of Liberia

The AFL Chief of Staff said he is satisfied with the dedication and commitment of AFL personnel.

On the international stage, he said the AFL has continued its participation in United Nations peace keeping operations by sending a third batch of peace keepers to Mali.

“Our peacekeepers are receiving lots of commendations from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali on the gallantry and dedication to duty,” he added.

The AFL’s relationship with its international partners continues to grow, Ziankhan said, pointing out that their partners have ensured that training slots in international schools will be made available for personnel in areas of studies that cannot be conducted within Liberia. The partners would also ensure that their capacity to conduct courses within the country is also developed.

AFL Soldiers along with US military personnel. Photo: Armed Forces of Liberia

The AFL Chief of Staff further indicated that the force have received numerous donations from the United States and China governments in order to increase the force logistics capacity to handle national security responsibilities.

Daniel mentioned that the AFL continues to ensure a very good relationship with its neighbors including Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ivory in the Mano River region.

Featured photo by Armed Forces of Liberia