MONROVIA – Retired Captain William Phillip Anderson has announced plans to assemble 17,800 former soldiers of the unconstitutionally disbanded Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in Monrovia, citing continued neglect and what he describes as gross violations of veterans’ dignity and human rights by the Government of Liberia.
In a statement dated Friday, January 23, 2026, Anderson said the planned gathering is intended to formally brief former AFL soldiers on the status of a submission already made to the government through the Senate Standing Committee on Defense, Security, and Veteran Affairs regarding their welfare and long-standing benefits claims.
At the center of the dispute is the monthly pension paid to retired AFL soldiers, which Anderson said stands at a flat rate of USD $33 per month, regardless of rank or years of service. He described the amount as “grossly inadequate” and an illegal underpayment that has persisted for years.
“The Government of Liberia continues to illegally underpay AFL veteran soldiers, providing a pension of USD $33 per month across the board, regardless of rank or years of service,” Anderson stated, adding that the situation constitutes “a continued violation of our dignity and basic human rights.”
Anderson stressed that the planned assembly is not intended to undermine or destabilize the government. He emphasized that there will be no protest, demonstration, or action capable of threatening public order or national peace.
“Our purpose is not to sabotage the Government of Liberia,” he said. “We do not intend to demonstrate, protest, or engage in any form of resistance or action that threatens public order or national peace.”
According to Anderson, the former soldiers are advancing three specific and lawful demands. These include a revised salary structure for retired AFL soldiers based on rank, the payment of 20 years of retroactive salary in a single installment calculated by rank, and an amendment to the Veterans Act.
He explained that the proposed amendment seeks to formally recognize all 17,800 former soldiers as a workforce under the Bureau of Veterans Affairs, enabling them to remain productive contributors to national development through civil service opportunities.
“This assembly is intended to allow us to reach a general consensus among ourselves on the most appropriate, lawful, and constitutional way forward in seeking justice,” Anderson said, describing the situation as a “criminal violation of our human rights by the Government of Liberia.”
He attributed the prolonged failure to resolve the matter to what he called governmental incompetence and neglect, not to any action or inaction on the part of the former soldiers.
Raising the human impact of the issue, Anderson questioned the sustainability of the current pension, asking bluntly, “Can USD $33 sustain any Liberian family?”
He reaffirmed the loyalty of former AFL soldiers to the nation, noting that they served Liberia in uniform with sacrifice and dedication. “No one is more Liberian than we are,” he declared.
Anderson disclosed that his colleagues have selected him as their Commanding Officer, a responsibility he said was based on trust in his leadership, integrity, and commitment to justice. “They believe I will use every lawful and constitutional tool available to achieve a just and successful outcome,” he said.
He further pledged that under his leadership, the former soldiers would remain disciplined and law-abiding. “We will not sabotage the government, not threaten national peace, and not act outside the Constitution,” Anderson assured.
Concluding his statement, Anderson said once a unified position is reached, the government will be formally engaged. “Once we reach a unified position, the Government of Liberia will hear from me formally and constitutionally as a body,” he said, while calling for divine guidance and the preservation of national peace.
