Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-03-07 00:20:00
The professionalism of Liberia’s new military has been widely praised, especially after the reform process that took place following the end of the civil war. However, a recent incident at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs involving an employee and an officer of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has raised concerns about interaction between civilians and military personnel.
On March 6th, 2024, a confrontation occurred in the corridor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia. Charlotte Mason, an employee of the Passport and Visas Department, was involved in a physical altercation with Sergeant Noah Donzo of the AFL. The incident escalated following a heated verbal exchange between Mason and other staff members, including Director Joseph W. Mendin.
During the altercation, Charlotte Mason was seen hitting Sergeant Donzo in the chest. Despite the assault, Sergeant Donzo maintained his composure and did not retaliate. He explained that he had gone to the Ministry to pick up an express passport form as scheduled by the Passport and Visas Service staff. However, he was met with aggression from Charlotte Mason upon his return.
Journalists, including Christopher Hayes Onanuga, CEO of Kool FM (91.9) FM, were present during the incident. They witnessed Charlotte Mason verbally and physically assaulting Sergeant Donzo. Mason was heard telling Donzo that there were no passport forms available for him, to which Donzo responded that he was following instructions given to him as an AFL officer.
In a separate incident, journalist Christopher Onanuga also faced mistreatment when he tried to obtain a passport form from the Passport Division. He was initially denied access to the Director’s office but was eventually provided with the form after reaching out to other journalists about the situation.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry regarding the incident were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. The altercation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect in interactions between civilians and military personnel. It also underscores the need for clear communication and adherence to protocols in government offices.
As Liberia continues to rebuild and strengthen its institutions post-civil war, incidents like these serve as reminders of the work that still needs to be done to ensure a harmonious and efficient functioning of government agencies. The professionalism of the military, as well as the conduct of civilian employees, plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the country.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
