Maj.-Gen. Charles Johnson III, the Chief of Staff to the Liberian Armed Forces, has proposed measures to prevent further instances of Coup d’état in the region. He emphasized the need to limit the powers of the Presidential Guards of the Commander in Chief. Johnson expressed his views during a discussion with journalists on the sidelines of the joint delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Joint Committees in Monrovia.
Referring to the recent Coup d’état that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, Johnson III stressed the importance of member states being cautious about the level of control the military possesses. In his presentation on “The Role of the Armed and Security Forces in Political Government: The Cases of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, Lessons to be Learned and Prospects,” he highlighted the issue of Presidential guards or elite forces directly controlling the Commander in Chief.
Johnson III drew attention to historical instances in Liberia where Presidential guards were misused, as cited in the 2008 Peace and Reconciliation report, which alleged atrocities committed by the Special Anti-Terrorism Unit. He asserted that political interference in the military’s command and control, such as handpicking individuals for key positions, undermines the proper functioning of the armed forces.
He recommended that the military should have a role in recommending and assisting the Commander in Chief instead of being subject to direct control by the Presidential guard. Johnson III also urged members of the ECOWAS to counsel their governments against interfering in military deployments and strongly condemned military coups, emphasizing that the military’s primary duty is to protect society, not to take control of governance.
Regarding the crises in embattled countries, Johnson III advocated for dialogue as the most effective means of resolution. He discouraged sanctions and suspensions, as these measures could lead to more threats, particularly with bordering countries. He highlighted the importance of maintaining communication and cooperation among nations to combat terrorism effectively.
Ultimately, Johnson III stressed that the military must adhere to its mandate of safeguarding the nation and refrain from getting involved in governance matters.
