Monrovia, Liberia: The United States Government, through its embassy accredited near Monrovia, has donated twenty pickup trucks, spare parts and other equipment to the Armed Forces of Liberia as a way of enhancing the mission’s readiness capability of the army in the wake of UNMIL drawdown. The items donated include 18 Land Cruiser Tactical vehicles, 2 Recovery vehicles, 2 Boston Whalers boats, 2 Ford 450 Launchers and one 40-foot Container, containing assorted spare parts.

Presenting the donated vehicles to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia at the Barclay Training Center on the UN Drive, the United States Ambassador, Madam Christine Ann Elder, said the United States is proud to support the efforts of the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia with the equipment. Ambassador Elder then commended the Government of Liberia for successfully taken over security responsibility from UNMIL peacekeepers and Liberia’s commitment to contributing to peacekeeping internationally. “In order to support the AFL’s upcoming rotation of a contingent to the MINUSMA peacekeeping mission in Mali, the U.S. is providing, as a permanent
donation a 10, 000 liter water truck, a 50,000 liter/day water purification unit and a mobile kitchen trailer,” Madam Christine ANN Elder asserted.

She also hinted that the United States Government’s support will continue, through the Embassy’s Office of Security Cooperation, focusing on five main areas: Defense Institution Strengthening, Engineer Support, Professional Development, Maritime Security and Medical Readiness.

“Madam Ambassador, your timing is always strategic,” the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, stated after receiving the donation from United States Government. The C-I-C thanked the United States Government, through the U.S. Embassy, for its continuous supports to the Armed Forces of Liberia and staff of the Ministry of National Defense, over the years, particularly in the areas of training and logistics, which have strengthened the professional and operational capacities of both staff of the Ministry and personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia.

The Liberian Leader used the occasion to call on other bilateral organizations to emulate the good example of the US Government. She also expressed her profound gratitude to other friendly governments, including the People’s Republic of China, who have equally been supportive in strengthening the professionalization and operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Liberia.