H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, has by Proclamation declared Sunday, February 11, 2024, as “Armed Forces Day”. The day will be celebrated on Monday, February 12, 2024, throughout the Republic as a national holiday.
The Proclamation further directs all military and paramilitary organizations within the Republic to organize and execute appropriate programs, including parades and other ceremonies, in recognition of the day.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, this year marks the 67th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day and will be celebrated at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) under the theme, “The Armed Forces Support to Democracy: The role and responsibility of the AFL”.
The Presidential Proclamation further informs that the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Liberia, Christine Umutoni, will serve as guest speaker.
According to the Proclamation, special attention and honor will be given to the veterans of the AFL and the Coast Guard, who have seen active and experienced actual service therein and have upheld the tenets of democracy and human rights during services.
The release further orders all government offices, public and business houses to be closed on that day.
The Proclamation is in consonance with an Act of National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, declaring the 11th day of February of each year as Armed Forces Day, to be observed as a national holiday.
The proclamation underscored that the Armed Forces Day celebration is also in recognition of the vital role the Armed Forces of Liberia plays in defending and protecting Liberia’s territorial integrity and its people from foreign aggression and upholding the social and political liberty of the people of Liberia, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia.
“With the passage of the National Defense Act of 2008, the Armed Forces of Liberia remains steadfast in supporting the foundation for long-term security and economic development in Liberia, as well as fostering regional peace through peacekeeping missions for the consolidation of enhancing and strengthening democracy throughout the region,” the presidential Proclamation declares.
The Proclamation emphasizes that, with the view to inculcate a sense of loyalty and patriotism in the citizens of the nation as well as to recognize the immense and sacrificial services rendered by the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces of Liberia for the protection of a free and democratic state, the government of the Republic of Liberia found it necessary to recognize the talents, services, patriotism, loyalty and gallantry for the upkeep of this noble heritage by those men and women who are now memorialized through the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as ordered by the Act of the National Legislature of Liberia of 22nd July 2008.
The release also stated that Liberia has found it necessary to recognize the talents, services, patriotism, royalty and gallantry for the upkeep of country’s noble heritage by those men and women who are now memorialized through the establishment of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs as ordered by the Act of the National Legislature of Liberia of 22nd July 2008.
The Proclamation further states that recognizing the professional development of the men and women in arms, the AFL has been reinvigorated to discharge its Constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding Liberian borders, including remaining vigilant for possible foreign aggression against the state, as well as directly and technically engaged in road construction efforts, international peacekeeping in Mali, Sudan and South Sudan, and other sector initiative across the country.
The proclamation further noted that the observance of the event will inculcate the sense of loyalty and patriotism in the citizens of the nation and recognize the immense and sacrificial services rendered by the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces of Liberia for the protection of free and democratic state of Liberia.
