Attempts by the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) to convince authorities of the Ministry of National Defense to reconsider their “harsh action” of disrobing 16 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has not materialized, this paper has learnt.

Thursday, officials of the LCC met with officials of the ministry to appeal on behalf of the disrobed soldiers, but the appeal felt on a thorny ground as the ministry rejected the appeal for the reinstatement of the soldiers.

It is not known whether the LCC officials were sent by the discharged soldiers to beg on their behalf, or that they acted out of concern.

On Wednesday, 16 soldiers of the AFL were summarily disrobed and discharged from the active service of the AFL for acts of “indiscipline and insubordination.”

The disrobed soldiers, according to Assistant Defense Minister for Public Affairs Darryl Nmah, refused to take orders to leave from one of unit to another, for reasons unexplained.

When asked as to what led to the refusal of the discharged soldiers to take orders, he said: “I cannot tell you that,” but termed their action as insubordination which will not be tolerated.

The disrobed 16 soldiers are all privates from the Alpha, Bravo and Charlie companies of the newly-trained soldiers.

Names of affected soldiers

The soldiers concerned are Pvt. Akeeboy Seygbay, Pvt. Abraham Mckay and Pvt. Vamuyah Sarnoh, all of Alpha Company and Pvt. Ousman Sheriff, Pvt. Patrick Fayiah, and Blama Marwolo of the Bravo Company.

Others were Pvt. Aaron Pewee, Pvt. Gabriel Seboh and Dickson Mark, Rudolph Dixon and Perry Nyepan of Charlie Company.

Privates Robert Sharka, Mulbah Blama and Gertrude Norrington of Charlie Sierra Company, as well as Privates Phelicia Wleh and Mah Sallah of Headquarters and Headquarters Company were also affected by the stringent disciplinary measure.

According to the Assistant Defense Minister, the action to disrobe the soldiers stemmed from their refusal to adhere to instructions to leave from one unit to another, an action which is counterproductive to military discipline which calls for “obey and obey.”

Before their discharge from active service of the AFL, he informed journalists, the non-commissioned officers were subject to investigations, in keeping with the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) before been found guilty.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense has sharply reacted to news reports emanating from some sections of the Liberian media about rioting or demonstration of soldiers of the 23rd Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Liberia at the Edward Beyan Kesselly Military Barracks.

MOD, in a press release , clarified that there has been absolutely no issue of rioting or demonstration as was reported. The MOD however stated that it has established an isolated case that requires disciplinary measures, following thorough investigation of the matter by the military command.

The MOD reemphasized that it remains committed to maintaining discipline within the AFL and has reassured the public that it will continue to engage the press and other peace-loving citizens and residents, in the building an army reflective of the democratic society in which discipline must prevail.

Under the Security Sector Reform, the Ministry of National Defense has successfully recruited and trained some 2,000 personnel, some whom have already received assignments.