MoD Starts AFL Recruitment February

By Jamesetta D Williams

MONROVIA–The Ministry of National Defense (MoD) is opting to increase the numerical strength of the men and women of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), setting aside February 2026 for the nationwide recruitment exercise.

Deputy Minister for Administration, Augustine T. Larmin said the Ministry has put into motion series of strategic defense initiatives aimed at strengthening Liberia’s national security, improving soldiers’ welfare, and safeguarding the country’s natural reserves.

Speaking during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, Deputy Minister Larmin underscored the significance of the upcoming recruitment drive for the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).

He also discussed steps towards the renovation of military barracks across the country, continued nationwide security patrol operations, and the deployment of troops to protect the Sapo National Park from illegal miners and loggers.

Deputy Minister Larmin disclosed that the Defense Ministry, with approval from the Commander-in-Chief and the Armed Forces Command Council, will begin a national recruitment exercise in February to expand the numerical strength of the army.

According to him, the exercise will be conducted in all counties to ensure geographical and gender representation, with the aim of recruiting at least 350 new soldiers initially, and scaling up to 5,000 personnel as resources allow.

Applicants must be Liberian citizens, meet health and fitness standards, pass a drug test, and present a police clearance certificate. The recruitment is part of a broader national defense and security strategy designed to align with Liberia’s evolving security needs.

Larmin also addressed the overcrowding of the Edward Backaly Kesselly (EBK) Barracks, the country’s main military installation. He revealed that the Civil Service Council approved a major barracks renovation and expansion program more than a year ago, aimed at decongesting EBK and improving living conditions for service members.

Key facilities such as Camp Gree in Sinoe County and Camp Grand in Nimba County have already been rehabilitated, with troops relocated to these areas. Additional facilities, including Camp Weston, are nearing completion.

“The Commander-in-Chief has assured us that the necessary resources will be made available to continue rehabilitating military infrastructure nationwide,” Larmin said. “Improving soldiers’ welfare and living conditions is central to maintaining discipline, morale, and operational integrity.

As part of efforts to reassure citizens and strengthen border security, the Ministry of Defense has launched Operation True Guardians, a mobile patrol initiative that deploys AFL troops across different counties and regions.

The first phase of the operation was conducted in central Liberia from June to August, during which troops established checkpoints, patrolled highways, and engaged local communities. Larmin said the operation will continue as a permanent security measure as long as resources are available.

“This operation is meant to show our people that the military is present, active, and committed to their safety,” he explained.

Deputy Minister Larmin also announced that the AFL has been deployed to Sapo National Park, Liberia’s largest and most ecologically significant nature reserve, to combat rampant illegal mining, logging, and settlement activities that had overtaken the park in recent years.

Home to rare species such as chimpanzees, hippopotamuses, and hundreds of bird species, Sapo National Park had been heavily encroached by thousands of illegal occupants, creating a “gold-rush-like” situation and threatening biodiversity.

Larmin revealed that over 10,000 illegal occupants were discovered in one settlement alone, and several illegal mining camps including Camp Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie have been dismantled.

“Our troops have successfully cleared these camps and are now securing the park’s major entry points,” he said. “We are gradually restoring law and order and protecting Liberia’s natural heritage.”

The Deputy Minister reaffirmed the Defense Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding national security, improving the welfare of service members, and defending Liberia’s territorial integrity.

“These efforts are not just military operations they are part of a larger national strategy to strengthen our security sector, protect our people, and preserve our natural resources for future generations,” he added.