Monrovia, Liberia – The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Brigadier General Davidson Fayiah Forleh, received a courtesy call from retired Lieutenant General Daniel Opande, a career soldier of the Kenyan Defense Forces and a former Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), who is on a visit to the country, at his Barclay Training Center office in Monrovia.
In a press release from the AFL dated October 11, 2024, the organization’s leader praises him for his numerous contributions to the current state of peace in Liberia, stating that the country’s people and armed forces have reserved a special place in their hearts for him because of his role in bringing about that peace. “The people of Kenya and Liberia will always be indebted to you both.” G/B. Davidson The Liberian Army’s Chief of Staff is Fayiah Forleh.
From 2003 to 2005, General Opande headed the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). In 2004, the Kenyan Defense Forces officer used his diplomatic and tough talents to persuade the leaders of all the warring factions in Liberia to consent to the disarmament of over 100,000 former fighters.
He oversaw UNMIL’s provision of security as well as logistical and technical support for the electoral procedures that resulted in Liberia’s peaceful democratic elections in 2005.
From 1993 to 1995, General Opande headed the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) as Chief Military Observer, before taking on the role of UNMIL’s Force Commander.
As the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), General Daniel Opande did, however, serve with distinction until returning to Liberia in 2003.
Additionally, from 1990 to 1993, he served as a mediator and peace broker between the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) and the Mozambican government, representing Kenya in the Mozambican Peace Process.
In addition, from 1989 to 1990, General Opande was the Deputy Force Commander for the United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia.
On October 1, 2003, he traveled from Sierra Leone to Liberia. By that point, Sierra Leone had formed a UN peacekeeping force, and things there had stabilized. The nation was once again at peace, and there was a functional administration. However, it was not the case in Liberia at the time.
At that point, the nation was in complete disarray and in serious risk of disintegrating; the government had fallen, there was no efficient security system in place, and nothing was operating in the country.
While some Liberians were dying as a result of the war’s terrible effects, others were fleeing their homes in search of food and protection. The General then entered.
Lieutenant-General Opande, who was born on August 18, 1943, attended the British Army Cadet School (Sandhurst) and received his appointment as a Second Lieutenant in 1964. He was the Commandant of Kenya’s premier military college, the National Defense College.
In addition, General Opande holds degrees from the US National Defense University and the British Army Staff College.
In addition to being a hero in Kenya, Lieutenant General Daniel Opande is a military officer with honors throughout Africa. Gen. Opande spent over fifty years as a member of the Kenyan military. The people of Liberia and Kenya will always be indebted to him for his unmatched bravery, daring, and dedication towards the restoration of peace in Liberia, Africa, and the globe.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
