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Presenting a petition with several counts to the Liberian Senate at the Capitol Building on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, spokesperson Theredon Walker claimed that their husbands have been systematically deprived and marginalized by Gen. Johnson and former Defense Minister, retired General Daniel Ziahnkan
MONROVIA — Several wives of personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia, operating under the banner of the “Army Wives Association of Liberia,” have branded Mag. Gen. Prince C. Johnson, III as a modern-day Pharaoh. They are calling on the Liberian Senate to reject his confirmation as Minister of Defense.
Since President Joseph Boakai nominated the retired Chief of Staff of the AFL for the position of Minister of National Defense, there have been concerns among citizens, especially spouses of AFL personnel. Initially, they called on the President not to nominate Gen. Johnson and are now urging the Senate to reject him.
The wives represent various military centers, including the Camp Tubman Military Barracks in Grand Gedeh County, Gbarnga Military Barracks in Bong County, Todee Military Barracks in Montserrado County, Lofa Military Barracks, Coast Guard and Star Base Military Barracks, the Military Police Barracks at the Smell No Taste, Roberts International Airport, and the home of the 23rd Infantry Brigade, the Edward Beyan Kesseley Military Barracks in lower Margibi County.
Presenting a petition with several counts to the Liberian Senate at the Capitol Building on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, spokesperson Theredon Walker claimed that their husbands have been systematically deprived and marginalized by Gen. Johnson and former Defense Minister, retired General Daniel Ziahnkan.
“We have come here today as the voices of those gallant men who, by laws such as the constitution, the Defense Acts, and the Geneva Conventions, are rendered voiceless. They cannot express their pain, frustration, deprivation, and marginalization,” the statement stressed.
According to them, the country has not been made aware of the corrupt, brutal, and diabolical acts of General Johnson. They allege that he is unduly admired by the public, particularly the media, who they claim are influenced by him, to the detriment of their husbands.
“General Johnson is like a father who uses his economic power to buy favor outside while his family languishes in poverty, and his children run away as he comes home because of his evil demonstrated upon his family,” they stated.
The group emphasized that they have not come to politicize or fabricate lies against General Johnson but to plead with the Senate not to confirm him due to alleged criminal and inhumane acts against AFL personnel.
“We have registered the below counts against General Johnson and plea for this honorable house to do the honorable thing for us, our husbands, and children, to safeguard the peace and harmony we have enjoyed since the deadly civil war, by denying this dreadful, power-hungry, inhumane, impassionate, corrupt, and bloodsucking vampire, General Prince Charles Johnson, from the position of Defense Minister,” Madam Walker indicated.
1. Corruption: The group alleges that since the AFL began the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Timbuktu, Mali, the army has undertaken nine rotations and has military equipment under a memorandum of understanding between the United Nations and Liberia. They claim that money from the Country Own Equipment (C.O.E.) has not been accounted for and that General Johnson deducts 20% from every soldier’s monthly UN salary under contingent levels. Despite orders to stop this deduction, they claim it continued.
2. Financial Exploitation: They claim that their husbands’ financial benefits from local and international duties have been redirected to General Johnson, providing inadequate compensation in return.
3. Marginalization: The wives allege that General Johnson has refused direct orders from President George Weah regarding their husbands’ promotions and salary increases.
4. Lack of Retirement Policy: They claim there is no defined death benefit or retirement policy for soldiers.
5. Poor Housing: The wives allege that military barracks renovations funds are diverted for personal use, leaving them in poor housing conditions.
6. Unpaid Workers: They claim that workers at the 14-Military Hospital, where 90% have worked for more than a year, are unpaid.
7. Insurance Changes: Allegations include a switch to an insurance company that provides less care but deducts higher premiums from their husbands’ salaries.
The Army Wives Association of Liberia believes that General Johnson’s confirmation as Defense Minister will render the army ineffective, increase poverty within the institution, and raise death rates due to curable diseases. They insist that their appeals to President Joseph Nyuma have been fruitless and that soldiers view General Johnson as a nightmare.
The group believes that if confirmed, General Johnson will conduct witch hunts within the army, jeopardizing national security. They call on the Liberian Senate to reject him.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the Senate, Senator Augustine Chea of Sinoe County, Chair on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims, and Petitions, thanked the Army Wives Association of Liberia for raising their concerns orderly and promised to submit the petition to the plenary for further action.
