Liberia: Britain Pledges Support to New Army

The British Ambassador accredited to Liberia at the head of a high power delegation, yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of National Defense, Brownie Samukai at his Benson Street offices. The discussion between Minister Samaukai and the British envoy was aimed at discussing security related issues and how the British government would work with the Ministry to strengthen the security sector of the country. Ambassador Sarah McIntosh and Minister Samukai discussed the challenges facing the Ministry of National Defense and the role that could be played by the British government in building the technical capacity of the new Liberian army. Welcoming the British Ambassador and delegation to his office, Minister Samukai said the Ministry is pleased that the British government has been engaged with the Ministry in the formation of the new Liberian army. Minister Samukai said that the Ministry believes that the role of the British government to train the security sector of the country has been very healthy. He also complimented the efforts of the United States government and other nations that have been assisting in the training of the security sector of the nation. Minister Samukai added that the Ministry of National Defense looks forward to more engagements, cooperation and supports in the building process of the new Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). Ambassador McIntosh told reporters following the meeting with Minister Samukai that their tête-à-tête was productive. She said during the meeting, Minister Samukai briefed the delegation on the progress being made thus far in the training process of the new army and the challenges facing the process. She added that during the meeting, Minister Samukai gave his Ministry's detail plan relating to how the challenges facing the Ministry can be addressed as well as the challenges that lie ahead in training the new army and the security sector of the nation. Ambassador McIntosh further stated that her country would contemplate on how it would begin to assist by providing support to the process. The British envoy disclosed that her country has been providing technical assistance to the new Liberian army and other security-related projects through its "Africa Conflict Prevention" program. She disclosed plans by her country to dispatch a British national that would assist in working with the Security Sector program of the country. During the meeting, the British Envoy was accompanied to the Ministry of National Defense by British Attaché, Mark Ravnkillda, Assistant British Defense Attaché, Mark Armstrong, Col Ross Anderson and Andrew Mace.