US VIP security to carry firearms in Liberia

Liberia’s Police Chief, Col. Gregory Coleman, says permitting the United States Embassy to arm its security agents is a milestone in post-war Liberia.

By Naneka A. Hoffman

Monrovia, July 25, 2024: Liberian authorities have permitted the United States mission to arm its security forces for the protection of its diplomats on official duties here.

The Liberia National Commission on Arms, in collaboration with the Liberia National Police (LNP), officially certificated the United States Embassy near Monrovia on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Monrovia.

The certificate authorizes the US Embassy to issue firearms to its security forces for the protection of U.S. diplomats on official duties in the country. 

The Arm Commission Chairman, Mr. James Fromayan, said this is the first time the institution has permitted a foreign mission to arm its securities. 

He deemed it a pleasing duty to witness the LNP and the Arm Commission signing permits to be given to the United States Embassy.

According to him, the US Embassy has met all of the requirements, including training these diplomatic securities at the LNP Training Academy.

In another development, Fromayam noted that efforts are underway to seek permission from the Executive Mansion to give time to those who are still in possession of arms illegally to surrender them. 

After a three-month grace period to surrender illegal weapons, Fromayan said all those who will be found illegally possessing firearms will be dealt with by the law. 

Also, Police Inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman described the certification of the United States Embassy as a milestone in the country’s post-war history.

He pointed out that the first commissioning of firearms authorization for a foreign mission is an indication of progress.

“It is our hope that we will work together with the commission to trash out any other issues of firearms in the country and come out with a remedy to have some level of control,” said Coleman.

For anyone to think that illegal weapons are not in the hands of non-state actors, Col. Coleman suggested that “we will be waking [up] with some surprises soon.”

“Over the last few years, we have seen [a] couple of different firearm permits being issued by different agencies to people, which is a clear indication that illegal weapons are in the country,” he added.

“We will be making recommendations to the government regarding how we intend to get some level of control by setting a timeframe and asking people to bring them in for marking and identification,” Col. Coleman continued.

The police chief reaffirmed his commitment to the state’s safety and security and promised to work with the commission.

He indicated that the police would be prepared at any time to assist the Liberia National Commission on Arms in wielding illegal weapons from the country.

The special agent for the regional security office, Tyler Daffy, who received the certificates on behalf of the United States Embassy, thanked the Liberia National Commission on Arms and the Liberia National Police for their cooperation.

During the program, three diplomatic securities who were trained at the Liberia National Police Training Academy were certificated to be legal arm carriers at the United States Embassy.