Boakai Defends 72nd Barracks Eviction -President Insists Military Land Reclaimed

MONROVIA – The eviction of civilians from the 72nd Military Barracks has reignited a long-standing national debate over state land management, public accountability, and the human cost of enforcing government authority. While successive administrations have struggled to reconcile weak asset control with social realities, the current exercise has drawn renewed scrutiny because of its timing, scale, and humanitarian impact. Addressing the controversy, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai framed the action as a necessary correction to decades of institutional neglect that allowed public property—particularly military land—to be encroached upon without authorization. His remarks, pundits say, underscore a governing dilemma Liberia continues to face: how to restore state authority and legality while managing the displacement of citizens who have occupied public land for generations. The Analyst reports.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has strongly defended the ongoing eviction of civilians from the 72nd Military Barracks in Montserrado County, maintaining that the land legally belongs to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and must be restored to its original military purpose.

Speaking to Executive Mansion reporters during a visit to the Edward Beyan Kesselly Military Barracks in Margibi County on Thursday, February 5, 2026, President Boakai addressed mounting public concern and appeals from affected residents, many of whom have been displaced by the eviction exercise.

According to the President, the situation surrounding the 72nd Barracks reflects a broader and long-standing failure of public institutions to properly identify, secure, and manage state-owned assets. He argued that the encroachment on military land is not an isolated case, but the result of years of administrative neglect.

“This is one of the things that we have to do in this country,” President Boakai said, explaining that government ministries and agencies must take responsibility for knowing and protecting their assets. He stressed that the Armed Forces of Liberia, like other institutions, must clearly understand and enforce the boundaries of land legally assigned to them.

President Boakai said the current administration is taking deliberate steps to correct past failures that allowed public land, particularly military property, to be occupied without proper authorization. He framed the eviction as part of a broader effort to strengthen state authority and restore order in the management of public resources.

While reaffirming the government’s determination to reclaim the land, the President assured the public that the process would be carried out within the bounds of the law and with respect for citizens’ rights. He noted that legal and administrative mechanisms exist to determine land ownership and boundaries, and that these processes would guide the government’s actions.

“There is a way to determine that,” President Boakai said, adding that the government would ensure the army does not violate the rights of any citizens during the exercise.

However, when asked whether his administration might reconsider the eviction in response to appeals from long-time occupants, the President remained unequivocal. He emphasized that the land was originally designated for military use and must serve that purpose.

“The place is for the army, and the army is going there to take it back,” he said. “God is not making new land.”

The eviction has primarily affected residents of the Ramrod Military Barracks community in Paynesville, popularly referred to as the 72nd Barracks. Many of the affected civilians say they have lived on the land for decades, raising families and building livelihoods in the area.

Displaced residents report that the eviction has resulted in homelessness, financial hardship, and disruption of livelihoods, with some families unable to secure alternative housing before the eviction deadline expired. Several have appealed to the government for compensation or structured resettlement assistance.

The eviction followed action by AFL personnel on January 19, 2026, when civilians were ordered to vacate the Ramrod Military Barracks after a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Armed Forces of Liberia expired on February 3, 2026.

Military authorities have stated that the exercise is intended to reclaim legitimate barracks space and reserve accommodation for new recruits, as the government moves to strengthen and professionalize the AFL.

Despite these justifications, President Boakai’s stance has intensified national debate, particularly around the humanitarian implications of reclaiming long-occupied public land. While the administration insists the action is lawful and necessary, critics argue that enforcement without adequate resettlement exposes deep social vulnerabilities.

The President’s remarks signal that his administration is prepared to prioritize state asset recovery and institutional discipline, even as the eviction continues to raise questions about social protection, land reform, and the balance between legality and human impact.