MONROVIA – In the face of rising transnational crime, smuggling, and internal security threats, the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has launched a bold and wide-ranging security operation known as Operation True Guardian. The initiative, which began in Grand Cape Mount County on March 24, 2025, marks a decisive shift in Liberia’s internal security posture, with the AFL assuming a more active and visible role in safeguarding national borders and restoring public trust in law enforcement.
According to the information posted on the AFL Facebook page on Monday, April 7, 2025, Operation True Guardian is a quarterly nationwide patrol strategy designed to enhance security, project force readiness, and foster cooperation with local communities and law enforcement agencies. The operation is being conducted in three sectors: Sector A (Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Gbarpolu), Sector B (Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Maryland, Grand Kru, Sinoe, River Gee, Rivercess, and Grand Gedeh), and Sector C (the entire coastline, patrolled by the Liberia Coast Guard).
For two weeks, AFL troops moved with precision across towns and communities in Grand Cape Mount County, establishing Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), engaging with local leaders, and conducting robust patrols in areas previously vulnerable to criminal activity. Their mission was clear: deter threats, secure Liberia’s territory, and build bridges with a citizenry increasingly concerned about a lack of state security presence.
In places like Bomie and Feli Towns, troops engaged with town chiefs and elders, sharing information and listening to local concerns. At Bomie’s beach, a patrol led by Lieutenant Blamo M. Brown uncovered a single-barrel firearm, which was immediately turned over to the Commission on Small Arms, signaling the AFL’s commitment to responsible arms control.
Medical outreach was a central pillar of Operation True Guardian. In Teh Town and Sinje, medical teams provided services to residents with limited access to healthcare. Warrant Officer Carroll George led a team that treated residents at the Sinje Town Hall, further humanizing the AFL’s presence in the region.
The Liberia Coast Guard, as part of the AFL’s marine component, reinforced security efforts in coastal zones. In Sewelor, across Lake Piso, the Coast Guard encountered a community grappling with a broken government boat, leaving them unable to transport patients during medical emergencies. This feedback was logged by the patrol team as a critical humanitarian concern.
Throughout the mission, the AFL’s civil-military relations strategy remained a top priority. Troops met with community leaders such as Feli’s Dean of Elders, Boimah Sombai, and Sinje’s Inspector for Tradition and Culture, Adama Sonii. In nearly every community visited, residents expressed deep concern about the absence of Liberia National Police and immigration enforcement officers. In Sinje, locals stressed that the removal of a police checkpoint had left the area exposed to illicit activities. In response, Lieutenant Ansu Sheriff recommended the urgent deployment of LNP, LIS, and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency to the district.
As the AFL moved into Bomi County on April 4, they continued their aggressive patrols, visiting towns such as Jendeweadi where mining activities were observed at the Mafa River. Though no conclusive evidence was found of illegal mining, the patrol team has requested the Land and Mines Authority to investigate further.
As Liberia wrestles with regional instability and internal governance challenges, Operation True Guardian represents a reawakening of national defense consciousness. It is not just a patrol; it is a message. The AFL is signaling its readiness to act, protect, and stand as a pillar of stability in a nation still healing from decades of conflict.
