Liberia: AFL Discharges Two Soldiers Over Viral Assault Video

MONROVIA — The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has dishonorably discharged two soldiers assigned to the 23rd Infantry Brigade following the circulation of a viral video showing one of them assaulting a young woman while the other stood nearby.

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By Gerald C. Koinyeneh

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The soldiers were identified as Sergeant Robert P. Menyon, service number EN/2008-05/1505, and Sergeant Abu S.B. Sheriff, service number EN/2008-05/1646. The discharge ceremony took place at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

AFL Chief of Staff Major General Davidson F. Forleh condemned the soldiers’ conduct, describing them as “bad apples” within the military and likening their presence to an “Ebola virus,” remarks that underscored his disapproval of their alleged actions.

The disciplinary action followed public outrage over the video, which showed a soldier physically assaulting a woman while another soldier was present.

Victim Recounts Incident

The woman, identified as Blessing, said the confrontation began when soldiers pursued a group of boys who were playing football in her community.

According to her account, the soldiers chased the boys after a disagreement at the football field. Her younger brother, who was among the boys, ran into their family’s home as the soldiers pursued him.

Blessing said she intervened and pleaded with the soldiers to leave her brother alone. However, she alleged that one of the soldiers began beating her while she held her baby in her arms.

She said the second soldier attempted to persuade his colleague to stop the assault but failed to prevent the beating.

Blessing further explained that the soldiers had later apologized for their conduct and that she had accepted their apology and forgiven them.

Despite the public controversy surrounding the incident, she expressed sadness over the decision to dismiss the two men from the military.

She said she wanted the soldiers to face punishment for their actions but had not wanted them to lose their military careers.

Blessing also indicated that the soldiers had been invited by a woman in the community, although further details about the circumstances surrounding the invitation were not immediately available.

Her account presents a personal dimension to the AFL’s decision, highlighting the difference between her willingness to forgive the soldiers and the military’s responsibility to enforce its standards of conduct.

Forleh Orders Further Action

Following the discharge, the two former soldiers were publicly presented at the Barclay Training Center.

According to accounts of the event, General Forleh instructed officers of the Liberia National Police to handcuff the men.

He also ordered the removal of their families from AFL barracks and directed that they be taken to the area around the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex to find their way home.

The circumstances surrounding the order, including the arrangements made for the affected families, were not immediately clear.

The AFL’s announcement described the action as a response to unprofessional conduct involving a woman and emphasized the importance of accountability among members of the military.

The dishonorable discharges represent a significant disciplinary response to an incident that has attracted public attention and raised concerns about the conduct of personnel entrusted with maintaining discipline and protecting the public.

The incident also places renewed focus on the standards of behavior expected of members of the armed forces, particularly when they interact with civilians.

Accountability And Military Conduct

The AFL operates under the motto “A Force for Good,” a principle that places public trust and professional conduct at the center of its institutional identity.

The incident has generated debate over the appropriate disciplinary response to alleged misconduct by military personnel. While Blessing said she had forgiven the soldiers following their apology, the AFL proceeded with their dismissal.

Her decision to forgive the men does not, in itself, determine the military’s disciplinary response. The armed forces maintain responsibility for enforcing professional standards and addressing conduct considered inconsistent with military service.

At the same time, the circumstances surrounding the incident, the soldiers’ respective roles and the measures taken against them remain important considerations in assessing the proportionality and fairness of the disciplinary action.

The AFL has not, in the information available for this report, provided further details about the specific disciplinary procedures followed before the discharges.

The incident serves as a reminder that military personnel are expected to exercise restraint and professionalism in their dealings with civilians, and that alleged abuses of authority can carry serious consequences.

For Blessing, the outcome is bittersweet: although she says she forgave the soldiers, their dismissal has left her saddened by the loss of their careers.