Liberia: President Orders Action Against AFL Soldiers

The Liberian leader noted that an unfortunate incident occurred on August 20, 2014 involving some residents of the West Point Community and security personnel of the Joint Task Force (JTF). “This action underlines my determination to ensure that our Military remains responsible and accountable for its action at all times,” said the President, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the army.

According to her, “in the confusion, one of our compatriots, little Shiaka Kamara was shot and subsequently lost his life. This is a sad and regrettable development. Unfortunately, little Titus Nuah also was shot and is being treated at a local hospital with assurance of his full recovery,” the Chief Executive said.

She made the statement Tuesday upon receiving the Report from the “Board of Inquiry” on the West Point Incident of August 20, 2014 and extended thanks to all members of the Board of Inquiry.

President Sirleaf said: “As a government, we mourn with the family of little Shiaka Kamara and extend our sympathy to those wounded as we look forward to their speedy recovery.”

The statement further said although the Board of Inquiry has completed its work and its report, “we are also duty bound to find out what really happened on that fateful day of August 20, 2014.

“Against this background, I authorized the setting up of a Board of Inquiry which was comprised of representatives from the Liberia National Police, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, the National Security Agency, the National Fire Service and the Armed Forces of Liberia. In addition, there were Observers in the persons of two U.S. Military Advisors and one ECOWAS Military Advisor,” she said.

At the same time, the President has requested the Independent Human Rights Commission to carry out an investigation into the occurrences in the West Point Community on August 20, 2014.

She said this would allow for frank exchanges between the citizens and the Commission, “thereby assuring our people that their views and recommendations will be given consideration in the final conclusion of this very sad chapter in our nation’s history.”

The government in its strive to provide protection for the people in the West Point Community from the Ebola virus disease, authorized that the Community be quarantined by personnel of the security forces from August 19, 2014 at which time an unfortunate incident occurred resulting into a shooting in West Point.