Monrovia – General Michael Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), highlighted the United States’ commitment to security cooperation in Africa during his recent visit to Liberia. This visit, his first to the country, included discussions with President Joseph Boakai, Defense Minister Geraldine Doe-Sheriff and senior Liberian military officials.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
In a press conference alongside Ambassador Mark Toner at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia on Wednesday, Langley outlined AFRICOM’s focus on resilience-building across various regional challenges, including climate change, border security, and civil society support.
“Senior defense officials and AFRICOM officers from Stuttgart will be arriving next month to assess these issues in detail, not only by geographical location but also by domain—whether in border security, maritime security, or other areas. This comprehensive approach will help us identify high-stress areas and marginalized populations, allowing us to address these challenges collaboratively through a whole-of-government approach,” said Gen. Langley.
Langley commended Liberia’s democratic resilience, particularly in countering destabilizing forces, including misinformation and disinformation. “As I travel across Africa, I look for examples of strong democratic governance and community connection. Liberia’s representative democracy serves as a model of stability in the region,” he remarked.
Langley also lauded Liberia’s Armed Forces for their peacekeeping efforts in West Africa, especially in Mali. “The AFL is highly respected for its role in peacekeeping, and I am here to learn from those successes,” he shared.
Ambassador Toner echoed Langley’s sentiments, praising the U.S.-Liberia partnership. “General Langley’s presence here reaffirms our strong military partnership with Liberia and our shared security goals,” Toner said, noting the importance of Langley’s discussions with President Boakai and Liberia’s military leaders on regional security issues.
Following the meeting with the Defense Minister, General Langley visited the headquarters of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) at the BTC, where he was welcomed by the AFL High Command and the ECOWAS Advisory Training Team.
Following military protocol, the AFL held a ceremonial reception in his honor, which included a comprehensive briefing presented by Major Michael B. Wilson, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations. The briefing covered AFL personnel, training, partnerships, achievements, and current challenges.
Senior defense officials and AFRICOM officers from Stuttgart will be arriving next month to assess these issues in detail, not only by geographical location but also by domain—whether in border security, maritime security, or other areas. This comprehensive approach will help us identify high-stress areas and marginalized populations, allowing us to address these challenges collaboratively through a whole-of-government approach.
Gen. Michael Langley, Commander, United States Africa Command
According to a release, General Langley thanked the Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Davidson Fayiah Forleh and the AFL for their warm and impressive reception. He commended the AFL for their professionalism as a “Force for Good” and emphasized the need for a strengthened partnership, citing Liberia’s strategic role amid evolving security dynamics in West Africa.
Interacting with Ghanaian and Nigerian officers stationed with the AFL, he praised the regional cooperation fostered under ECOWAS and expressed support for robust capacity-building efforts to advance the AFL’s strategic and tactical capabilities. General Langley underscored that the U.S.-Liberia partnership is essential for addressing some of the AFL’s most pressing challenges.
Brigadier General Forleh expressed gratitude for AFRICOM’s support and reiterated the AFL’s commitment to being a dependable “Force for Good” for Liberia and the global community. He emphasized the importance of the partnership and noted that the AFL’s briefing to General Langley highlighted the realistic challenges they face. He expressed optimism that General Langley’s visit would lead to meaningful support for these challenges.
Additionally, General Forleh informed General Langley about a recent donation of military equipment valued at over $20 million from the African Union, which is awaiting transportation to Liberia. He appealed to General Langley for logistical assistance in transporting the equipment to Liberia.
The visit concluded with a formal exchange of gifts between Command Sergeant Major Michael P. Woods of AFRICOM and Forces Sergeant Major William Tabolo of the AFL. General Forleh and General Langley also exchanged tokens of appreciation, further solidifying the bond between the two military institutions.
As AFRICOM continues its engagements across Africa, Langley’s visit to Liberia reinforces the United States’ commitment to fostering regional security and resilience. “Every country has its own approach to stability, security, and prosperity. In Liberia, I see what it means to address challenges with strength and remain responsive to the people’s needs,” he concluded.
