Liberia’s newly appointed Defense Minister, Prince C. Johnson, has resigned after just 10 days in office following a protest by soldiers’ wives who blocked roads and demanded better living conditions.
The resignation throws a cloud over President Joseph Boakai’s nascent administration, marking its first major political crisis since his inauguration in late January.
Boakai confirmed Johnson’s resignation on Monday, stating that he had accepted the letter citing “the current political and civil disturbances occasioned by the protest of women believed to be wives of servicemen.”
Johnson expressed his desire to “preserve the peace and security of the State.”
The wives’ protests had escalated over the weekend, with roadblocks erected near the capital Monrovia and elsewhere in the country.
Frustrations stemmed from several grievances, including low salaries and pensions, inadequate social security, electricity shortages, and alleged corruption within the armed forces.
Additionally, they demanded Johnson’s resignation, attributing a reduction in soldiers’ returning from Mali peace missions to his policies.
President Boakai responded swiftly, urging the army to remove the roadblocks immediately.
He also met with the protesting wives on Sunday, promising to address their concerns and establish a commission for further investigation. Initial actions included restoring electricity to the affected barracks and offering free classes within the compound.
“The President has been in office for 20 days only and he has taken immediate steps already to address some of these issues which have been festering for more than five years,” Boakai’s team emphasized, urging “everyone to remain calm and peaceful as the government seeks to address their concerns.”
While the new Defense Minister, General Geraldine Janet George, has been appointed as a provisional replacement, the incident highlights the simmering discontent within the military and the challenges facing Boakai’s administration in addressing longstanding issues within the armed forces.
