AFL Reclaims 72nd Barracks As Residents Face Eviction

By: Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay | Contributing Writer

Monrovia, Liberia | Jan. 20, 2026 | The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has begun reclaiming the 72^nd Barracks in Paynesville, with soldiers clearing out residents who have been occupying the facility for over 12 years.

The Ministry of Defense had given occupants prior notice to vacate the premises, but they have refused to leave.

The eviction process has been met with resistance from residents, who claimed they are former combatants and families of AFL personnel.

The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has come out in support of the residents, describing the Ministry’s decision as “sad” and warning it may spark chaos in an election year.

Residents are concerned about their future, with many having lived in the barracks for decades and having nowhere else to go.

“Removing us from the barrack is disheartening, but we remain resolute on the process,” said Simeon Mason, spokesman for the aggrieved residents.

The Ministry of Defense maintains that the barracks are needed for military purposes and that occupants have had ample time to vacate.

“As citizens, we all should understand that when you stay somewhere for 12 years in a public building, you should know that it’s a public building and we have been issuing this warning,” said Assistant Defense Minister David Dahn.

The situation remains tense, with the CDC warning that forceful removal may lead to disorder.

The 72^nd Barracks eviction has been a contentious issue, with residents claiming they’re being unfairly removed from their homes. The Ministry of Defense argues that the barracks are needed for military purposes and that occupants have had ample time to vacate.

The eviction process has been delayed, with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf intervening that extended the deadline.

Residents, including former combatants and their families, claim they’ve been living in the barracks for over 12 years and have nowhere else to go. They’re seeking resettlement assistance and relocation, citing humanitarian concerns.

The 72nd Barracks in Paynesville, Liberia, has a complex history dating back to the country’s civil war era. The facility was originally built to serve as a military barracks for the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).

During Liberia’s civil war (1989-2003), the barracks were occupied by various factions, including the AFL and rebel groups. After the war, many displaced people, including former combatants and their families, moved into the abandoned barracks, setting up informal settlements.

In 2011, the Liberian government, with support from international partners, began efforts to reclaim public buildings, including the 72nd Barracks, for official use. The Ministry of Defense cited security concerns and the need for functional military facilities as reasons for reclaiming the barracks.

Residents, many of whom had been living there for over a decade, resisted eviction, citing lack of alternative housing and humanitarian concerns. The issue has been ongoing, with periodic clashes between residents and authorities.