Acting Minister Tweh Pledges Improved Welfare for AFL

Published: September 18, 2026

MONROVIA — Cllr. Natu Oswald Tweh Sr. took over as Liberia’s acting minister of national defense Wednesday, moving from his post as justice minister and attorney general to lead the ministry overseeing the Armed Forces of Liberia, and pledged to prioritize soldiers’ welfare and service conditions in his new role.

By David Menjor

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai assigned Twah to the ministry, and Brig. Gen. Geraldine Janet George (Rtd.), who is stepping down as defense minister, during a turnover ceremony at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia.

Tweh said his approach to the ministry would be guided by the statutory responsibilities of the defense minister under Liberia’s Executive Law, with an emphasis on democratic oversight and policy direction of the AFL under the authority of the president as commander in chief. He identified three priorities for his tenure: institutional continuity and strategic alignment, soldier welfare and capability, and civil-military relations.

On welfare, Tweh assured AFL personnel he would advocate for improved conditions of service for service members and their families, saying his leadership would be anchored in fairness, transparency and accountability. He praised George’s service to the ministry and the AFL, saying her work had provided a foundation for the new leadership to build on, and thanked Boakai for the assignment.

The transition comes as the AFL continues its postwar transformation into a professional military operating under civilian democratic authority, with the Defense Ministry providing policy direction and oversight while the AFL carries out its constitutional and statutory defense responsibilities.

George, reflecting on her tenure, called it deeply meaningful and thanked Boakai for the opportunity to serve in his administration. She cited infrastructure development, service delivery and policy development as areas of progress, pointing to the ministry’s five-year strategic plan and its 2026 annual work plan as accomplishments of her time in office. She did not detail specific projects completed under those initiatives.