The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) completed the deployment of its eighth (8th) batch of troops in Mali on September 19, 2022.
LIBBATT 8’s replacement of LIBBATT 7 marks the 8th batch of Liberian troops deployed to serve under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization in Mali (MINUSMA).
In a selfless effort to contribute to the International Peace Support Operations (PSO), the new AFL was launched in Mali in June 2013 under the African-Led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA), and later transitioned to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in July 2013 with just an infantry platoon.
However, due to the outstanding performance of the AFL contingent in its duties, the UN requested an increase in the strength of the Liberian contingent, and as of 2018 the ALF strength was augmented to company size.
The AFL, amongst other functions, is fully responsible for bass defense, conduct of patrols, providing VIP protections and conducting counter IED operations.
The contingent commander is Major Clarence Korvah, 23rd Infantry Brigade, AFL.