Liberia News: LNP Prepares For Future Peacekeeping Missions

By Mark N. Mengonfia

Liberia-The Liberia National Police (LNP) in partnership with the United National Institute for Training and Research(UNITAR) has begun the training of its officers for future peacekeeping Missions.

UNITAR as an institution supports the implementation of the Strategic Guidance Framework for International Policing, by directly contributing to police units’ capacity building and development prior to deployment to UN peace operations.

At the beginning of an ongoing weeklong training, Deputy Inspector General of Police for Administration, William K. Mulbah said the ongoing training is the result from the recent MOU signed between Kigali, Rwanda Police and LMP.

He said since taken over, LNP Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman has been searching for means to have the force trained to provide the needed services to the people of Liberia.

According to him, the LNP FPU that is being trained is intended to be on the standby for future deployment in places in the time of need.

He highlighted the officers LNP has sent for a peacekeeping mission in Sudan.

According to him, LNP has been trained for peacekeeping when United Nations Missions was in Liberia for 13 years but was quick to say, “It is not too strange, but before you deploy, you must be trained especially for the FPU, you need to have logistics and training”

He called on the officers to make the best use of the training so that in time of need, they can train officers and as well deploy in places where peacekeeping is needed.

Earlier, UNITAR Senior program Specialist Division for Peace, Khalid Zine was thankful that LNP and UNITAR were able to have such an agreement to train officers of the Liberia National Police.

According to UNITAR Specialists, the ongoing training is a first step to generating Liberia’s preparedness for United Nations Peacekeeping.

According to him, UNITAR Recognized that police capacity building and development is a long-term effort that must reach all levels of an institution with a focus, on training, monitoring, advising and mentoring and contribute to strengthening accountability and oversight by emphasizing the respect for the rule of law at all levels.

UNITAR as a United Nations Institution has been training Formed Police Units (FPUs) prior to deployment to MINUSMA since 2016, in partnership with the Ecole de Maintien de la Paix Alioune Blondin Beye (EMPABB).