BARCLAY, TRAINING CENTER, MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has announced the annual recruitment of 600 new soldiers into the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) beginning this year through 2029, describing the move as a strategic effort to rejuvenate and strengthen the nation’s military. The announcement came Wednesday, February 11, 2026, during celebrations marking the 69th Armed Forces Day at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia.
“Our Armed Forces have endured trials and emerged as a disciplined, professional institution. Yet, we must prepare for the future,” President Boakai declared before members of the Legislature, Judiciary, senior security officials, and international partners. He made clear that the recruitment drive is aimed at addressing high attrition rates and the natural aging of the force.
According to the President, the initiative goes beyond increasing troop numbers. “This recruitment drive is not just about numbers; it is about fashioning a force that reflects the diversity, resilience, and aspirations of the Liberian people,” he emphasized. He described the move as a deliberate strategy to ensure the AFL remains “youthful, dynamic, and capable of responding to both traditional and emerging security threats.”
Boakai stressed that professionalism and discipline must remain central to the military’s identity. In a pointed remark, he stated, “I usually say I avoid being with a man with a gun and a grudge,” underscoring the importance of emotional stability and integrity within the armed forces.
Beyond recruitment, the President highlighted ongoing and planned efforts to improve soldiers’ living conditions. Following recent renovations of barracks in Margibi and Nimba counties, he announced that his government will prioritize similar renovation and restoration projects in Bomi and Maryland counties. “We must decongest the living quarters of our soldiers,” he said, adding that the effort “is not intended to target anyone but to offer decent housing to our soldiers and keep them fit and ready.”
He described the infrastructure projects as investments in dignity and national readiness. “These projects are more than infrastructure; they are investments in dignity, guaranteeing that our soldiers and their families live in safe, decent, and supportive environments,” Boakai noted. “A soldier who is dignified at home will defend our nation abroad.”
Mental health care for service members also featured prominently in the President’s address. Recognizing that “military service often comes with invisible wounds,” he extended appreciation to ECOWAS for its contribution toward constructing and operationalizing a mental health facility at the 14 Military Hospital. Boakai pledged that his administration will ensure the facility becomes fully operational and accessible to both AFL personnel and the broader population.
“By addressing mental health, we affirm that resilience is not only physical but also psychological,” he stated. “A strong military is one that is prepared in mind as much as in body.” The remarks signal a growing acknowledgment of psychosocial support as a pillar of national security.
The President also underscored his administration’s commitment to gender inclusion within the armed forces. He praised the ELSIE Foundation for committing funds aimed at increasing female parity in the AFL. “Women bring unique perspectives, skills, and strengths to the military,” he said, stressing that the effort is transformative rather than symbolic. He proudly reminded the audience that Liberia’s current Defense Minister is the first woman to hold the position.
Regionally, Boakai reaffirmed Liberia’s dedication to collective security in West Africa. He thanked Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu, and his delegation for their solidarity, noting that “peace in one nation strengthens peace in the region.” He emphasized that Liberia remains committed to working with regional and international partners to confront instability, terrorism, and transnational threats.
Concluding his address, President Boakai called on Liberians to continue supporting the men and women in uniform. “Let us, as a nation, continue to support the Armed Forces of Liberia with the resources, respect, and recognition they deserve; for in their strength lies our peace,” he urged. He ended with a patriotic appeal: “GOD BLESS OUR NATION, PROTECT OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN ARMS, AND SAVE THE STATE.”
