Liberia’s new protection minister on Monday resigned from his submit simply 10 days after being appointed, following a protest by troopers’ wives, the presidency mentioned.
The resignation marks the primary political disaster going through Liberia’s new president Joseph Boakai since his inauguration on the finish of January.
Boakai “has acquired and accepted a letter of resignation from the not too long ago confirmed Minister of Nationwide Protection Mr. Prince C. Johnson,” the presidency mentioned in an announcement.
In his resignation letter, Johnson cited “the present political and civil disturbances occasioned by the protest of ladies believed to be wives of service males.”
He wished to “protect the peace and safety of the State”, the assertion added.
Wives of Liberian troopers arrange roadblocks close to the capital Monrovia and elsewhere within the nation, forcing Boakai to cancel deliberate Nationwide Military Day celebrations on Monday, an AFP correspondent reported.
The ladies have been airing a number of grievances starting from low salaries and pensions, to a scarcity of social safety, electrical energy shortages and corruption inside the armed forces.
In addition they demanded the protection minister’s resignation blaming for a discount within the salaries of Liberian troopers getting back from peace missions in Mali.
The primary roadblock was assembled on Sunday on the outskirts of Monrovia close to the Edward Binyah Kesselly barracks on the highway resulting in the worldwide airport.
New roadblocks manufactured from kitchen utensils and makeshift provides appeared elsewhere within the nation on Monday.
Drivers caught in lengthy visitors jams on the highway resulting in the airport opted to desert their automobiles and proceed their journey on foot.
President Boakai requested the military on Monday to make sure that the roadblocks have been lifted “instantly”, in line with the presidency.
He met with troopers’ wives on Sunday and vowed to rigorously look at their issues and arrange a fee, his workforce mentioned.
He ordered the restoration of electrical energy to the Edward Binyah Kesselly barracks and free courses within the college situated inside the compound.
“The President has been in workplace for 20 days solely and he has taken quick steps already to deal with a few of these points which have been festering for greater than 5 years,” his workforce mentioned in an announcement.
Boakai “suggested everybody to stay calm and peaceable as the federal government seeks to deal with their issues,” it added.