PH
Liberia has appointed its first female Minister of Defense, following an uproar from various women in the country. Following the demonstrations by soldiers’ wives, which resulted in the resignation of the former military minister, the country’s president, Joseph Boakai, chose to appoint a new minister. As a result, Geraldine George has been nominated as the new interim defense minister.
According to the BBC, Liberia’s president has appointed former female brigadier general Geraldine George as the country’s acting defense minister.
This marks the first time in the country’s history that a woman has held the role.
Geraldine George began her military career in 2006, when she successfully enlisted in the army during the reconstruction period following the country’s second civil war.
She has since climbed through the ranks, eventually becoming a brigadier general and current Minister of Defense. Prior to her new position, she served as deputy chief of staff for six years.
After being inaugurated on January 22, the president appointed her as the military ministry’s deputy for administration.
“Her promotion comes after Defence Minister Prince Charles Johnson III resigned following protests by the wives of soldiers on Monday,” according to a report published by the BBC.
“The women said that as the previous chief of staff of the armed forces, he was responsible for low pay and bad living conditions in military barracks. The women put up roadblocks near the city, Monrovia, and elsewhere in the country, forcing Mr. Boakai to cancel National Army Day celebrations on Monday, according to reports.
The demonstration began on Sunday at Monrovia’s Edward Binyah Kesselly Barracks.
