In preparation for unforeseen circumstances and any possible eventuality before, during or after the 2023 general and presidential elections, the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) will begin hosting a scenario-based multi-agency training exercise, known as “Watch Over VI”, from November 1—5, 2021 at the Monrovia City Hall and the Barclay Training Center and its environs.
Participating agencies of “Watch Over VI” are the Liberia National Police (Lead Agency), Armed Forces of Liberia (Host), Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Liberia National Fire Service, National Security Agency, Executive Protection Service, National Disaster Management Agency, Liberia National Red Cross, Ministry of Justice and the media.
“Watch Over VI” is aimed at promoting inter-agency cooperation and interoperability among participating agencies in dealing with crises situations during internal security operations in Liberia.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the focus of “Watch Over VI” is to prepare participating agencies for the safe conduct of the 2023 general elections, particularly in dealing with potential security challenges (violent protests, political thuggery, arson, cross-border movement of illegal voters, smuggling of drugs and arms, among other vices).
“Watch Over VI” is expected to take place in two phases: the Seminar Phase, to be held at the Monrovia City Hall, and the Practical Phase, to be held at the Barclay Training Center and its environs.
Activities of “Watch Over VI” will include seminar, command post exercise and practical demonstration of crowd control and dispersal, the Defense Ministry disclosed.
“The seminar phase is to provide platform for lectures and presentation by representatives of every participating agency, in such a way to ensure mutual understanding of roles of all agencies during response to crises situations in Liberia. The crowd control phase will involve the LNP, AFL and the LNFS.
“Exercise Watch Over VI will serve as a precursor for a larger multi-agency training exercise, which is planned for 2022, to involve troops and personnel movement,” said the Assistant Minister for Public Affairs of the Ministry of Defense, Sam K. Collins.