Monrovia, Liberia – The Ministry of Justice has taken notice of troubling photographs, public communications, and reports that have been making the rounds on social media regarding the alleged formation and recruitment of a group calling itself the “National Fula Security of Liberia (NFSL).”
The Ministry declares that the Government of the Republic of Liberia has not authorized, permitted, registered, licensed, or approved any entity under the name “National Fula Security of Liberia” or a similar formation for the purpose of recruiting, deploying, or operating any such organization.
According to Liberian law, the government, acting through the Division of Public Safety at the Ministry of Justice, must initially authorize the creation, organization, hiring, or operation of any security force, paramilitary group, auxiliary force, or organized enforcement institution.
These procedures include, but are not restricted to, institutional evaluation, formal application, screening, security review, and tax and regulatory compliance. No such procedure has been started, carried out, or finished with regard to this group the ministry noted.
The Ministry has verified that the people or organizers connected to this organization have not received the necessary permissions and have not been evaluated by the government.
Therefore, all recruitment, organizational, operational, promotional, and mobilization efforts related to the so-called National Fula Security of Liberia must immediately stop and cease, per the Ministry of Justice’s directive. Any further engagement in such actions will be deemed a flagrant breach of Republic of Liberia law and will be subject to the full force of administrative and criminal penalties.
The establishment of unapproved security formations, especially those based on racial, ethnic, tribal, communal, or sectarian affiliations, shall not be accepted, justified, or tolerated by the Liberian government. Lawfully created state institutions are tasked by the constitution with maintaining public order, national security, and law enforcement. Private organizations functioning beyond the bounds of the law cannot and will not be given these obligations.
Liberia is a state subject to the rule of law, the Ministry stresses. No person or organization is allowed to create rival security systems or engage in recruitment efforts, regardless of their name, affiliation, or stated goal. The Ministry has directed the appropriate security and regulatory organizations to look into this right away. If infractions are found, suitable enforcement measures will be taken in strict compliance with Liberian law.
The people is reassured that the government is still totally dedicated to preserving national unity, peace, and security. Residents and citizens are asked to report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities and to abstain from participating in or interacting with any unauthorized security formations. In order to protect the rule of law, the Ministry of Justice promised keep a careful eye on developments and take additional action as needed.
