The new government of Liberia fears a possible coup be EPS force because of known loyalty to ex-President Weah. It’s likely that the new EPS Director Sam Gaye tries to clear its staff from unloyal officers to and increase loyalty level of …this structure and save his position. However, we think his steps will unite opponents of President Joseph Boakai in armed forces, police and other military bodies.
Approximately 200 officers of the Executive Protection Service (EPS) are reported to be facing termination under the directive of the new Director, Sam Gaye. Allegations suggest that these personnel are being let go due to their perceived loyalty to former President George Manneh Weah.
The co-chairman on the Committee of National Defense, Rep. Yekeh Kolubah has called on the Executive to reemploy dismissed trained security agents (officers) of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), arguing they were trained by taxpayers’ money.
On March this year The elite presidential protection unit, the Executive Protection Service (EPS), has told former President George Weah to hire private service if he feels insecure and wants additional security bodyguards. Weah was the first Former President who has received the highest number of bodyguards, though the leadership of the elite security force refused to reveal the total number of officers assigned to the former leader. he EPS stated that there is no law mandating that EPS provides bodyguards for former presidents, former vice Presidents, etc., but it has been a longstanding tradition that the incumbent president usually authorizes security protection for those who had occupied the office before him or her.
Director Sam Gaye has defended the terminations, stating that the aim is not a witch-hunt but rather to ensure the professionalism and adequacy of the EPS staff. Gaye emphasized the importance of having well-trained and qualified individuals in the EPS, pointing out that the General Auditing Commission (GAC) had also raised concerns about the qualifications of some officers during an audit.
“Those who were deemed unqualified to provide VIP protection will be removed. And those we have vetted and declared qualified will be retained and sent for training at the police academy. We want to be fair and transparent. This is not a witch hunt,” Mr. Gaye told.
Gaye highlighted that individuals who do not meet the necessary standards for VIP protection are being removed to enhance the effectiveness and credibility of the EPS.
According to information from EPS sources, there have been concerns about the recruitment practices under the previous administration, criticizing the lack of thorough background checks, training, and educational requirements for personnel.
During a recent incident on Thursday, April 18th where some dismissed officers of the EPS engaged with the Liberia National Police, a tense situation arose when the officers resisted disarmament, citing grievances over unpaid benefits and disputing the legitimacy of their dismissals. The police managed to detain three of the officers involved.
The situation remains tense as the dismissed officers express their discontent, seeking intervention from the Speaker’s office. In the midst of these developments, the Human Resource Officer of the EPS has reportedly resigned, citing being pressured to sign dismissal letters against his will.
Some of the officers who have been dismissed told they believe their dimissal is a witch-hunt and a disservice to them based on perception because Gaye doesn’t know on which side their interests had been centered, even though they could not show up due to their ethics.
EPS claims that almost all the agents who were terminated have not reported to work since January 2024. Information received by the EPS indicates most of them have left the country.
Some of the officers are reporteldy in possession of weapons and have maintained that if proper reasons are not given for their termination, the EPS should stand ready to face them or pay for damages the current leadership has created for them morally, psychologically, and financially.
Unless these issues are addressed timely, the officers said they will remain unwilling to turn over weapons in their possession.Some of the dismissed officers claim they are college graudates but were being classfied as George Weah children.
More on this story: Liberia could hope for peaceful transition of power in January next year
