The Armed Forces of Liberia is to shortly launch Operation True Guardian to fight illegal activities along the country’s porous borders.
By: Naneka A. Hoffman
Monrovia, Liberia, March 13, 2025—The high command of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) announces the launch of “Operation True Guardian,” a comprehensive security operation set to commence at the end of March 2025 across counties in western Liberia, including Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, and Gbarpolu.
Deputy Chief of Public Affairs, Major El-Dorado Nyanti Jebboe, discloses that the Armed Forces of Liberia has observed that there has been a significant uptick in illicit activities, including cross-border smuggling of arms, drugs, and humans.
Addressing a press conference in Monrovia on Monday, March 10, 2025, Major Jebboe stated that these illegal operations, facilitated by Liberia’s porous borders and limited enforcement capabilities, have not only compromised national security but also created an atmosphere of fear and instability within border communities.
He notes that the absence of a consistent military presence in these regions has further exacerbated the problem, creating fertile ground for criminal networks to operate with impunity.
He further discloses that the Ministry of National Defense and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia have recognized the urgent need for a coordinated, sustained, and strategic approach to addressing these challenges.
According to Major Jebboe, Liberia’s territorial waters have witnessed a rise in maritime crimes, including illegal fishing and piracy.
He explains that local anglers have reported encounters with illegal fishing vessels, which threaten their livelihoods and deplete marine resources in Liberia.
The high command says that patrols will focus on strengthening border security, enhancing marines’ surveillance, and deterring illegal activities through productive engagement with local communities and law enforcement agencies. Editing by Jonathan Browne
