'Recipe For Disaster' - FrontPageAfrica
Source: Front Page Africa
Author: Obediah Johnson
MONROVIA - Former rebel leader turned Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely has termed as a recipe for disaster the inadequate support to the security sector, particularly the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)
By Obediah Johnson
Senator Nimely was the Founder of the notorious rebel group-Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), which ousted former Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor.
He is also one of those recommended for prosecution at a war crime tribunal by the erstwhile Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
He is also a member of the Senate Committee on National Security, Defense, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs.
Senator Nimely observed that despite the training of young men and women to defend Liberia, the temperament of the army remains different.
He made the observation during the confirmation hearing of the Minister of National Defense and the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) Geraldine George and Prince C. Johnson III.
Senator Nimely claimed that many of those serving in the army and residing in the barracks have been forgotten by their leaders.
Senator Nimely claimed that no proper feeding, clothing and accommodation are being afforded army personnel.
As a result of this, he observed that the attitude of these soldiers towards the citizens is "becoming very bad."
"That is something you need to look into because, when an angry man is out there and has not eaten, the innocent man becomes the victim. You don't have an army that you cannot clothe; you don't have an army that you cannot arm."
Senator Nimely maintained that soldiers are not being properly accommodated.
"Your army in all the places where you have assigned them-there are too many in one apartment. They are not enjoying the privileges. These are people who have signed their lives to you and to us that they want to die for us as long they are wearing that uniform. Now, they are also dying for West Africa as long as they are in uniform and yet we are not paying attention to them. That is a recipe for disaster."
He observed that as a result of inadequate support and low salaries, some soldiers assigned in the counties are performing the tasks of the Liberia National Police (LNP), arresting and extorting monies from people.
He claimed that these army personnel are also moving into villages to arrest people digging gold to "put enough money in their pockets to feed their children."
Senator Nimely said the provision of adequate support to the army must be a major paramount.
NSA
He observed that the National Security Agency (NSA) has not executing its assigned tasks and responsibilities to some extent in Liberia.
According to him, the agency continues to arrest and intimidate Liberians for the sake of building up cases.
"They (NSA) lie on their own citizens to make cases and I am a sitting example of that."
He recounted accusation made against him by the agency, linking him to the training of Burkinabes to cause instability in Liberia.
Senator Nimely wondered why the NSA would continue to propound fallacies against Liberians, especially taxpayers who enable them to feed their respective families.
He said the NSA should be there to protect Liberia and its citizens from attacks, instead of raising false accusations against them.
He noted that though it is possible for some Liberians to have a plan to harm the country, those heading the NSA must ensure that information or intelligence gathered to link them to such an accusation are factual before arresting them for interrogation and subsequent prosecution.
Senator Nimely, however, challenged the newly appointed heads of the Ministry of National Defense and the NSA to collectively work with others to verify intelligence, instead of going after people perceived to be planning to harm the nation.
