Liberia’s Defence Minister Prince Charles Johnson III has resigned from his post just 10 days after being appointed, following a protest by soldiers’ wives, the presidency said.
The resignation marks the first political crisis facing Liberia’s new president Joseph Boakai since his inauguration at the end of January.
The women set up roadblocks near the capital, Monrovia and elsewhere in the country, forcing President Joseph Boakai to cancel National Army Day celebrations on Monday.
They demanded the defence minister’s resignation, blaming him for a reduction in the salaries of Liberian soldiers returning from peace missions in Mali. The officers’ spouses also decried a lack of social security, electricity shortages and corruption within the armed forces.
Johnson, in a statement, says he is stepping down due to the “current political and civil disturbances” occasioned by the protests.
New roadblocks made of kitchen utensils and makeshift supplies appeared elsewhere in the country on Monday.
Drivers stuck in long traffic jams on the road leading to the airport opted to abandon their vehicles and continue their journey on foot.
President Boakai asked the army on Monday to ensure that the roadblocks were lifted “immediately”, according to the presidency.
He met with soldiers’ wives on Sunday and vowed to carefully examine their concerns and set up a commission, his team said.
He ordered the restoration of electricity to the Edward Binyah Kesselly barracks and free classes in the school located within the compound.
“The President has been in office for 20 days only and he has taken immediate steps already to address some of these issues which have been festering for more than five years,” his team said in a statement.
Boakai “advised everyone to remain calm and peaceful as the government seeks to address their concerns,” it added.
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