President Boakai’s decision to inspect troops at the Barclay Training Center during official celebration of Liberia’s 68th Armed Forces Day receives huge criticisms here, with some questioning the Commander-In-Chief’s fitness.
By: Wise Wesseh
Monrovia, Liberia, February 12, 2025 – In an unprecedented move, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, rides in the back of a twin-cabin military pickup to inspect troops at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia before parade by gallant men and women of the AFL in commemoration of 68th Armed Forces Day here.
All previous presidents and commander-in-chiefs of the AFL had physically walked to inspect the troops in readiness for pass-in review.
But President Boakai’s decision to do so by riding in a military pickup leaves many Liberians worrying here about his physical health and vitality.
Liberia’s 68th Armed Forces Day was commemorated in Monrovia on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The occasion was graced by several dignitaries, including Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, Orator of this year’s celebration. Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was also in attendance.
President Boakai was escorted into the back of the military pickup, decorated with Liberia’s national colors, Red, White, and Blue, during the celebration held at Monrovia Barrack Training Center (BTC).
In response to President Boakai’s decision not to inspect troops by walking as his predecessor did, President Press Secretary Miss Kula Fofana says the President, being Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, decides whatever he chooses to do.
“The President is the President of the Republic of Liberia; he decides how he wants to inspect his troops”, Miss Fofana notes.
She slams critics instead, urging them to focus on the visit of President Julius Maada Bio, who served as keynote Speaker of the 68th Armed Forces Day celebration.
“President Boakai has done a lot of work, improving logistics and coordination among the AFL to make sure the country is safe, so I think people should focus on the visit of President Maada Bio coming to grace our Armed Forces Day rather than criticizing the President’s choice of inspecting his troops.”
She notes that everywhere around the world, a number of presidents have been seen riding vehicles to inspect and carry out other engagements, so it isn’t unusual.
Miss Fofana maintains that President Boakai is fully fit to execute all the duties of the State.
Usually, the essence of the inspection of troops by the Commander-In-Chief during such occasion is to assess the capability and readiness of the security apparatus, especially the armed forces, to respond to external and internal security threats that might engulf a nation.
President Boakai executed the inspection of troops of the AFL and other national security apparatus, including the Liberia National Police, the Liberian Coast Guard, the Liberia Immigration Service, and the Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service, among others.
Following the approximately five-minute inspection, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia disembarked the vehicle and returned to his seat to continue the program.
Meanwhile, scores of Liberians criticize the President for what they describe as unprecedented, questioning his fitness level to lead the nation.
They argue that President Boakai was the first Liberian president ever to inspect troops of the national security apparatus riding in a pickup.
They recall that during the 12-year regime of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was much older than President Boakai, she walked through to inspect troops of the AFL on every occasion.
“Former President George Manneh Weah followed this: look there; the man is not even fit to lead our country. We’re suffering for president”, one by-standard remark. Editing by Jonathan Browne
