The Executive Protection Service (EPS) has provided clarity as it relates to the protection of former President George Manneh Weah and other issues.
In a statement Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the EPS said on the issue of former President Weah’s EPS bodyguards, there is no law that EPS should provide bodyguards for former Presidents, former vice Presidents, etc.
However, EPS said it has been a longstanding tradition that the incumbent President usually authorizes security protection for those who had occupied the office before him or her.
In keeping with this tradition, the EPS said the provision of security protection to the former Presidents and former Vice Presidents is automatic, stressing that it is not based on a request from the former.
The EPS pointed out that the size of the detail or bodyguard corps assigned is determined by the service based on the threat level around said VIP.
The statement disclosed that the EPS has assigned several well-trained agents with long-term experience to former President Weah, adding that he’s in safe hands.
“In Liberia’s recent history, he is the first former president who has received the biggest number of bodyguards. But, if he so desires more security protection, he can hire private security guards as former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and then Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai did over the past six years,” the statement added.
Regarding the issue of dismissed and resigned agents, the EPS said almost all the agents, who were terminated have not reported to work since January 2024.
“Information received by the EPS indicates most of them have left the country. Also, almost all of those who resigned are abroad and have communicated their resignation from the jobs to the EPS Human Resource Department,” the statement concluded.
