Margibi County, Liberia – The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) jointly hosted the 2025 West Africa Logistics Conference (WALC) from August 5–7 at the Farmington Hotel, marking a milestone in regional military cooperation.
The annual conference, sponsored by the United States Government through US AFRICOM, brings together military logisticians from across West Africa to strengthen security and humanitarian collaboration through a robust logistics network. This year’s theme, “Building Capacity through Logistics,” focused on enhancing interoperability, aligning strategies, and improving readiness to respond swiftly and effectively to regional challenges.
For the first time, the conference expanded beyond West Africa, welcoming delegations from Kenya, Botswana, Morocco, and Tunisia. Four U.S.-based logistics and supply chain companies also participated, showcasing their global capabilities and encouraging collaboration with African defense institutions.
Strategic Partnership and Shared Goals
Opening the conference, Brigadier General George Dietrich, AFRICOM’s Director for Logistics, commended Liberia’s Minister of National Defense, Brig Gen Geraldine J. George (retired), for her attendance. He emphasized that the WALC unites regional partners to confront shared security threats through coordinated logistics, describing logistics as the professional backbone of effective military operations.
Minister George underscored that logistics play a central role in combating transnational crimes, terrorism, and humanitarian crises across West Africa. She reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to enhancing regional interoperability and optimizing logistics capacity.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Joe Zadrozny hailed the WALC as a milestone in the U.S.–Africa security partnership, aligning with U.S. objectives to strengthen stability and foster sustainable economic growth. Ambassador Robert Scott, Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement at US AFRICOM, stressed that effective logistics is foundational to any security framework.
Liberia’s Growing Role in Regional Security
AFL Chief of Staff Maj Gen Davidson Fayiah Forleh described the hosting of WALC as proof that Liberia has returned to peace and stability. He warned that terrorism remains a shared regional threat, best countered through joint logistics efforts and information sharing. Recalling Liberia’s early peacekeeping missions in Mali under UN MINUSMA, he highlighted how Nigeria and Chad’s support helped the AFL build its independent logistics capability.
Lt Col Saimo Omias Kortu, AFL’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, presented a detailed overview of Liberia’s logistics operations during the event’s technical sessions, which also featured panel discussions, best practice exchanges, and partner-led workshops.
Cultural and Diplomatic Conclusion
The conference ended on August 7 with a colorful cultural performance by the Liberia National Culture Troop, showcasing traditional music and dance to participants at the Farmington Hotel.
Officials expressed optimism that the strengthened networks and shared expertise developed during the 2025 WALC will help West Africa respond more effectively to both security and humanitarian challenges, advancing peace, stability, and prosperity across the region.
